What does the ECT button do, Really?
- Thread starter jdmidwest
- Start date
giguchan
Senior Member
megaman411
New member
Does anyone know if this harms the engine/tranny in the long run leaving it always on?
1996_Valencia_Owen
Banned
I'm really curious about this. It's conceivable it could add hp and torque by advancing spark and leaning out the AFR a bit (the way tuners reach power gains for sports cars when reflashing the ECU)... but I'm not sure. One might expect if they used those tricks, then towing would actually increase the possibility of knock/ping... as towing puts the truck under extra load.
MAybe the reason there's an option to turn ECT off for less power is because it somehow makes mileage worse to give that extra power.
Would love more data on this.
St Runner
Member
The ect simply raises the shift points of the transmission, it does not change anything in the engine tuning but to raise the rpm. I feel that the shift points are too low for steep terrain and or a heavy foot but fine for highway/light foot. The ect is simply to make the transmission more versatile to meet the dual nature of the vehicle. I have had both the 5 speed and auto transmissions in my 4runner with both the different ecu's for those models. The engine runs exactly the same, but the ability to raise the shift points with the 5speed makes it a completely different vehicle in power and performance on steep road terrain. Off-road is another completely different story
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Tyler James Inc
Senior Member
St Runner
Member
Yes, a manual transmission. I took out a working A340 and put in a R150f and switched ecu's from the auto to manual. I cannot tell any difference in how the engine runs but there is a huge difference in how it drives mostly because I can now control the rpm and shift points. I would say on average I shift about 5 times per mile
4bangr
New member
I was thinking about what difference the ECT might make and it occurred to me that perhaps when the ECT is disabled, the tranny is controlled by the kick-down cable and of course, when it's enabled it's under 'electronic' control.
I've been running mine on ECT for over a year now; sometimes in the mornings, the tranny stays in 2nd for a long time. i've puzzled about this behavior and never could think of any reason for it. now, if the ECT is in control, who knows what it wants to do.
I've been running mine on ECT for over a year now; sometimes in the mornings, the tranny stays in 2nd for a long time. i've puzzled about this behavior and never could think of any reason for it. now, if the ECT is in control, who knows what it wants to do.
MandAtaco
Member
I never could tell seat of the pants power increase with it on, I left it on for almost a year. My rig is so heavy it probably wouldn't make a difference anyway.
What I did notice, when I finally shut it off, was that my truck would actually hold O/D. The torque converter would unlock at just the slightest inclines or throttle input and it drove me crazy before. With ECT off, it hold torque converter lock way better. For this reason alone, I don't use ECT anymore.
What I did notice, when I finally shut it off, was that my truck would actually hold O/D. The torque converter would unlock at just the slightest inclines or throttle input and it drove me crazy before. With ECT off, it hold torque converter lock way better. For this reason alone, I don't use ECT anymore.
Mudeprived
New member
I'm glad I came across this thread in researching exactly what ECT does.
I had a 1000 lbs of pellets in the back of the Runner today, twice, and it was "decent" when driving home on the first trip. I decided to try out the ECT with the 2nd load and holy damn what an increase in power! It felt very sporty and would accelerate much better.
I didn't like riding on the bumpstops though. I need better springs or a trailer.
I had a 1000 lbs of pellets in the back of the Runner today, twice, and it was "decent" when driving home on the first trip. I decided to try out the ECT with the 2nd load and holy damn what an increase in power! It felt very sporty and would accelerate much better.
I didn't like riding on the bumpstops though. I need better springs or a trailer.
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Yep! And the button is not an on/off switch. The out position is labeled "Normal" while the in (or depressed) position is labeled "Power" in the owners manual. On my T4R it seems to do nothing except raise the shift points a couple of hundred rpm when in the "Power" position.
jleatherman
New member
It turns the light on next to ECT. Oh and higher RPM shift.
tpierpoint
Junior Member
I never want to turn this off again. After 7 years of owning my vehicle, I finally decided to leave it on and check the mileage. I'm getting 4-5 mpg more than with ECT off. Wish I would have discovered this sooner. Would have saved me $1000s in gas.
