I recently purchased a 1999 4runner and everything seems to work fine, I use to drive a Mustang. The question I have is about the ECT button. I understand what it does but when I press it the led light pops up on the dash and when I remove my finger from the button the light goes away. So I am having difficulty figuring if the thing is working or not. Is this normal? If not is there a way I can fix it without paying some guy money. Im poor :awais:
ect help on a 1999
- Thread starter dejs27
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peter78
Super Moderator
I assume we are not talking about a radio thing here right, I ask this since you posted in "Audio & Electronics". My ECT button is located on the center console just below the vents. When I hit mine, a green light on the dash reads "ECT PWR". If we are talking about the same thing, then there should be a light on the dash.
The ECT button raises the shift point of each gear on the transmission. The transmission shifts at a higher RPM compared to the regular mode. It is suppose to give you more power and is good for things like towing, driving in the mountians and just general 'hot dogging it'. In general your gas mileage should be slightly lower.
If you light pops up in the dash and then goes away each time you hit it, that is not normal. It should stay on when it is on and stay off when it is off. I bet the ECT still works, now the question is "When do you have ECT on and when do you have it off?".
I would go to a flat road and accelerate at a steady pace and notice were the transmission shifts, (at what RPM), then stop and hit the button and try it again. Hopefully the shift points will be different.
If it is no difference I would get the system fixed and if the shift points are different I would get that light fixed.
The ECT button raises the shift point of each gear on the transmission. The transmission shifts at a higher RPM compared to the regular mode. It is suppose to give you more power and is good for things like towing, driving in the mountians and just general 'hot dogging it'. In general your gas mileage should be slightly lower.
If you light pops up in the dash and then goes away each time you hit it, that is not normal. It should stay on when it is on and stay off when it is off. I bet the ECT still works, now the question is "When do you have ECT on and when do you have it off?".
I would go to a flat road and accelerate at a steady pace and notice were the transmission shifts, (at what RPM), then stop and hit the button and try it again. Hopefully the shift points will be different.
If it is no difference I would get the system fixed and if the shift points are different I would get that light fixed.
peter78
Super Moderator
Update
I just washed my car and I noticed that the ECT on my 2001 shows that when you have ECT engaged the button is depressed and when ECT is off the button sticks out. If you checked your ECT and it works, this may be one way to figure out what mode your in without having the light repaired. Admititly, it is not the best way, but if you have the button like mine it should work. I was just thinking fixing that light might cost a pretty penny.
By the way, I think Lee is one smart guy.
I just washed my car and I noticed that the ECT on my 2001 shows that when you have ECT engaged the button is depressed and when ECT is off the button sticks out. If you checked your ECT and it works, this may be one way to figure out what mode your in without having the light repaired. Admititly, it is not the best way, but if you have the button like mine it should work. I was just thinking fixing that light might cost a pretty penny.
By the way, I think Lee is one smart guy.
lee said:
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4BangerRunner
New member
Is the ECT switch supposed to be backlit? When I engage it, the light on the dash comes on - but at night in the dark - you have to fumble for it or turn on a map light to find it (if you need it). Just wondering......
4wheeln98
New member
peter78 said:
no fair my window light doesn't glow. I might give it a shot with it on. i got 300m with it off with a lot of highyway driving so we'll see. And they should not label it PWR since it doesnt increase power just shifting, it should be labeled "push this button and you won''t notice anything unless you know what it does"
TOYOTABOONE
New member
broncosi said:so using the ECT button on saturaday night strip racing down my local grocery store parking lot will give me an obvious boost in speed acceleration?and give me that extra ump! i need to beat that riced out civic?
ECT stands for Electronically Controlled Transmission, so it basically changes the shift points for hills & towing, but if you have the pedal mashed to the floor anyway, it's not going to affect anything. When you're pulling a load up hills is when you'll notice it because you won't have to push the gas harder to get up the hill.
