Flat Spot at around 2400 RPM

[Riv39 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Riv39]

I believe it does Bert, have a read of the chip threads.......

[robendog Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close robendog]

Update.......

Just picked up my Prado from Martin Jonkers Motors (Toyota Dealer Morayfield).

Spoke with the Service Advisor - Phil BROWNLOW.

He stated that the problem was an identified fault and that Toyota was working on a fix. He stated that a software update was required and that one had been trialled , unsuccessfully, already as it had produced new faults. Stated that the next update is expect by August - September 2011.

[Riv39 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Riv39]

Thanks for the update, at least it would appear that they are working on it.

[Schniff Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schniff]

Toyota claims they did 100 000 km of testing on the 150. How on earth did they miss this issue and the pathetic mudflaps?!? The engineers deserve a paycut!

We should not be waiting 20 months after the cars release for a software update for a carry over drivetrain that has been in service for 4 years in Australia and much longer in Europe. Not good enough. It's not as though these cars are cheap!

[Riv39 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Riv39]

Agreed, what about the 1500RPM vibration and associated dash rattle....still drives me nuts even though the dealer has had four attempts to fix it. Mine only does it now when the plastic under the wipers (cause of the issue) is cold and stiff. So a real pain in winter months until the car has sat in the sun and or the engine bay warms right up. Enough of thread hijacking though...........

[Pisspour Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Pisspour]

Our 150 Dec 2010 we have experienced and reported both problems (fat spot & rattle) the service crew at the local stealer told me they had never previously heard of either (usual reply). Then told me about Toyota not having a fix for tranny flat spot and that they were'nt confident to "disturb panels"to fix rattle !!!!! . Next service find a new dealer I guess.

[Davad73 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davad73]

I have a Feb 2011 build that has this large flat spot around 2400rpm. As i live in a hilly and windy area, this flat spot happens many times a day on all the same bends. Wether i accelarate fast or slowly but due to the incline you just watch the tacho and soon as it hits 2400rpm, she just drops away. The Missus has had a gut full of the car. It is down right dangerous when you have other cars following you. Pity cause the 08 D4D prado was faultless. DPR has been lodged at the 1000k check up. Now has 11000ks and seems to be getting worse. Can't wait for the fix or the lease expires.......

[Eugene_Oz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Eugene_Oz]

I have played with mine in the last two weeks after getting annoyed with the problems as described here, the 1500 flat spot and dash rattle, along with a small hiccup at 2500rpm. All three are now gone. Only a temp fix for now until I get to do some more searching on exhaust systems.

I got hold of a spare dump pipe/cat unit, which I removed the Cat from, fitted to the VX, much better to drive all round, no flat spot, no vibration, it now leaps away from idle instead of struggling to get through that 1200-1600 rpm band, it holds gears better at all speeds, just better everywhere.

No chip or tuning unit is fitted, no other mods to car. no increase in noise, you can hear the turbo whistle up from idle to 2000rpm, then its all quiet again.

I will put a system on when I can find one that wont drone, at all.

[Eugene_Oz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Eugene_Oz]

I have a Feb 2011 build that has this large flat spot around 2400rpm. As i live in a hilly and windy area, this flat spot happens many times a day on all the same bends. Wether i accelarate fast or slowly but due to the incline you just watch the tacho and soon as it hits 2400rpm, she just drops away. The Missus has had a gut full of the car. It is down right dangerous when you have other cars following you. Pity cause the 08 D4D prado was faultless. DPR has been lodged at the 1000k check up. Now has 11000ks and seems to be getting worse. Can't wait for the fix or the lease expires.......

If the car is an auto, worth getting the Box "flash file" updated too, told dealer I was going to be towing and sand driving, they did the update (free) and it was much better, it held gears better, kicked down faster etc, I think it uses a little more fuel, maybe .4lt per 100, but not worth worrying about.

[barryswanson Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close barryswanson]

I have played with mine in the last two weeks after getting annoyed with the problems as described here, the 1500 flat spot and dash rattle, along with a small hiccup at 2500rpm. All three are now gone. Only a temp fix for now until I get to do some more searching on exhaust systems.

I got hold of a spare dump pipe/cat unit, which I removed the Cat from, fitted to the VX, much better to drive all round, no flat spot, no vibration, it now leaps away from idle instead of struggling to get through that 1200-1600 rpm band, it holds gears better at all speeds, just better everywhere.

No chip or tuning unit is fitted, no other mods to car. no increase in noise, you can hear the turbo whistle up from idle to 2000rpm, then its all quiet again.

I will put a system on when I can find one that wont drone, at all.

I'm pretty sure Beaudesert and Tiapan exhausts don't drone at all. Well they wouldn't want too considering the price they charge! Hey Eugene where did you get your dump pipe from? Can you get hold of more or would you consider selling me yours when you get an exhaust?

[Eugene_Oz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Eugene_Oz]

I'm pretty sure Beaudesert and Tiapan exhausts don't drone at all. Well they wouldn't want too considering the price they charge! Hey Eugene where did you get your dump pipe from? Can you get hold of more or would you consider selling me yours when you get an exhaust?

I want to go for a drive in an Auto with either of those fitted first, but they are the two it is between, with Beaudesert looking the goods.

The dump pipe, well cat section, as there is a short 45deg or so bent straight off the turbo, then the Cat pipe, then into the rest of the system, acctualy came out of the Steel scrap bin at work, we have many many Tojo's running around on site, and starting to see heaps of 150's.

I was not even looking for one, putting in some scrap, and there was an as new system, crunched at the muffler, looks like the whole lot got replaced, so I got out the Battery grinder and cut of the bit I didnt want, been sitting in the shed until I thought I would try and fix the flat spot. It is gone now, I am very happy, when I get my system, I will give you a yell, as for making a pipe to replace the cat section, it would be about the easiest job an exhaust shop could ever have.

I will measure the flanges and post it up, maybe I should build some turbo back replacement pipes as a bolt on for those who wish to remove the flat spot but retain the rest of the system.

[Hoskie Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Hoskie]

The flat spot is gone!!

Auto updated this week by Toyota and it has done the job.

Finally my 18 months of torture has ended. I have just had my auto reprogramed and can confirm that this is the car I thought I had bought. The gearbox now changes with confidence and is great to drive.

.....It hasn’t stopped the over boost surging at 110/115km/h………… yep at 110km/h (2100-2200rpm) with slight acceleration and the boost hits 14.5psi and causes engine surging (with no mods the engine) for a second and then the boost drops and it’s all good again. Not that it’s a big problem because I don’t hit these speeds too much ;-)

[barryswanson Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close barryswanson]

The flat spot is gone!!

Auto updated this week by Toyota and it has done the job.

Finally my 18 months of torture has ended. I have just had my auto reprogramed and can confirm that this is the car I thought I had bought. The gearbox now changes with confidence and is great to drive.

.....It hasn’t stopped the over boost surging at 110/115km/h………… yep at 110km/h (2100-2200rpm) with slight acceleration and the boost hits 14.5psi and causes engine surging (with no mods the engine) for a second and then the boost drops and it’s all good again. Not that it’s a big problem because I don’t hit these speeds too much ;-)

Winning!!!!! I will ask for this next service.

[Riv39 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Riv39]

The flat spot is gone!!

Auto updated this week by Toyota and it has done the job.

Finally my 18 months of torture has ended. I have just had my auto reprogramed and can confirm that this is the car I thought I had bought. The gearbox now changes with confidence and is great to drive.

.....It hasn’t stopped the over boost surging at 110/115km/h………… yep at 110km/h (2100-2200rpm) with slight acceleration and the boost hits 14.5psi and causes engine surging (with no mods the engine) for a second and then the boost drops and it’s all good again. Not that it’s a big problem because I don’t hit these speeds too much ;-)

Interesting, no word back to me from my dealer regarding this (I have a DPR lodged), which auto reprogram did you get, do you have more info e.g. date of update availability, was it done deliberately to fix the flat spot issue?

[Hoskie Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Hoskie]

Interesting, no word back to me from my dealer regarding this (I have a DPR lodged), which auto reprogram did you get, do you have more info e.g. date of update availability, was it done deliberately to fix the flat spot issue?

Yes this is the Toyota offical fix released 26/08 called Hesitation / Downshift Delay During Acceleration, I had to chase them when I heard that it was out.
My Prado has been awful to drive and the customer service the same......... However credit to them this has finally fixed the problem and now it's a pleasure to drive.

Cheers