Encountering hard starts with your Toyota Tundra Flex Fuel can be frustrating. If you own a model like the 2013 5.7L Crewmax, you might be experiencing extended cranking, rough starts, and even the smell of excess fuel. A common culprit behind these issues is an inaccurate alcohol percentage reading, causing your engine to mistakenly believe it’s running on E85 fuel. This article explores how the Launch X431 Crp919e Obd2 Scanner can be a valuable tool in diagnosing and temporarily resolving this problem, offering a cost-effective and user-friendly alternative to dealership visits and potentially complicated software solutions.
The original poster of this issue experienced these exact symptoms with their 2013 Toyota Tundra. After researching solutions, they discovered a Toyota Technical Service Bulletin (TSB No. T-SB-0166-19) addressing this very problem. The dealership quoted a hefty $1200 for the repair, citing a fuel pump backorder, and there were reports of the issue recurring even after the dealer fix. Seeking a quicker and potentially more sustainable solution, they investigated resetting the Alcohol Fuel Density level.
Alt: The Launch X431 CRP919E OBD2 scanner tool displaying its vibrant color screen and user-friendly interface.
While some owners have attempted to use Techstream cables and software—often of questionable licensing—to reset the alcohol level, these methods can be cumbersome and unreliable. Opting for a more streamlined approach, the user decided to explore bidirectional scan tools. After research, the Launch X431 CRP919E OBD2 scanner emerged as a reasonably priced option capable of performing this specific reset function. Competitors like XTOOL D7 and D8 were considered but confirmed not to support alcohol level resets for Toyota Tundra at the time.
Prior to purchasing, the user verified with the seller on Amazon that the Launch X431 CRP919E could indeed reset the alcohol fuel density level for their Tundra. Upon receiving the scanner, the initial steps involved updating the device’s software to access the necessary “Special Functions” for Toyota vehicles. Connecting the Launch X431 CRP919E to their Tundra revealed an alcohol fuel density reading of 85%, confirming the likely cause of the hard start issues.
Alt: The Launch X431 CRP919E screen showcasing vehicle diagnostic options, highlighting its capability to access and modify engine control module settings.
To rectify the problem, the user navigated the Launch X431 CRP919E menu to “Diagnose,” then selected “Toyota system selection,” followed by “ECM-ECT (engine),” and finally “Special Functions.” Within the special functions menu, they located and executed the “Fuel Density Learning Value Reset.” This function, taking mere seconds to complete, effectively reset the alcohol level to zero.
The immediate results were significant. The Toyota Tundra started promptly without hesitation, fuel economy improved, and the engine ran noticeably smoother. Subsequent checks confirmed that the alcohol percentage reading remained at zero after the reset. While acknowledging the possibility of the issue recurring, the owner now possesses a quick and easy solution readily available in their garage thanks to the Launch X431 CRP919e OBD2 scanner. This experience underscores the value of owning a versatile scan tool like the Launch X431 CRP919E, not only for addressing specific issues like the Flex Fuel alcohol reset but also for broader vehicle diagnostics and maintenance tasks across different car brands, including European makes like BMW. For anyone facing similar hard start problems with their Toyota Tundra Flex Fuel, or seeking a comprehensive OBD2 scanner for DIY car maintenance, the Launch X431 CRP919E presents itself as a compelling and effective tool.
