Throttle response devices

I put the Sprint Booster on my 2016 Ford Edge (3.5 v6). The difference is amazing, IMHO. I know modern fuel injection (and, motorcycle "CV" carburetors) do not have "accelerator pumps" like in the old days. Those babies shot a stream of as directly into the card throat when you mashed the pedal.

The CV (constant velocity) carbs need the flow of air to increase so that more gas is sucked in. Thus, lag. Most fuel injection systems are the same but for a different reason. The air flow over the mass airflow sensor tells the computer to inject the proper amount of gas. It takes a bit of time for that to happen. One would think that the Throttle Position Sensor and all the other sensors would compensate but. . . No! Heck, our Toyota V6s even have a 7th injector in the intake. Why it does not fix this issue is a mystery (my 1995 4runner is controlled by a cable to the carb so none of this applies to it, I know).

I do not know, for sure, but the Sprint Booster, et.al. must send the "opening throttle" command directly to the computer BEFORE the sensors. The difference is subtle. However, I was living with the lag and hating it. I almost sold the car because of it.

 

Although this author has a very negative view of these devices and writes that way, he is correct about their operation. And be sure to read the Dick Bipes white paper he links. All these throttle devices do is amplify the voltage going to the engine control ECU. There is no horsepower gain, no decreased throttle lag, no increased MPG. The driver just needs less foot motion to get more engine response. Within limits. It results in a more enjoyable driving experience for most people.

 

Amplifying the throttle pedal position going to the ECM is not even remotely close to what’s happening when changing drive modes in an OEM application.

 

Don't overwhelm us with the details.

 

Found my code scanner. Again no cel, no other lights just the multi terrain flashing. Pulled code
P2138 for throttle position sensor malfunction. So definitely related to the PC which puts my mind at ease. Now to figure out how to fix it.

 

Thought I’d give the zero point calibration a go and see if that would help went through the trouble of making my own jumper wires and low and behold Toyota changed something in 2020. My pin 4 is blank and does nothing. In fact only have 5 wires connected to my obd port. Which is a new on me for sure

 

@newlife I have a 2020 Off-Road Premium and just ordered a Pedal Commander on the 25th to take advantage of the discount. If I am understanding your dilemma with a fault, should I expect to incur the same issue?

 

I just ordered mine for 21 OFP. Hopefully we don’t run into the same error. I know there are some weird directions you have to follow in the beginning

 

I can’t say for sure. I hope not mine is going to the dealership Monday with no mention of the PC to see if they can see what’s up. It could be completely unrelated and just a coincidence but at this point we won’t know until they get in there and check

 

I own a Sprint Booster and really enjoy it. I’ve only read one description of a failed SB device on the other forum, and that was after 2 or 3 years of trouble-free use. He contacted the vendor and it was replaced at no charge.
However, I’ve read about a lot more failures of the Pedal Commander. Maybe there’s a reliability issue that’s recently cropped up.

 

I think what @Agent_Outside is pointing out is that an OEM drive mode selector can (potentially) adjust fuel maps, timing, and transmission shift patterns, while these aftermarket devices can only adjust the throttle input to the computer.

 

**** follow up ****


The multi terrain light disappeared and I can now select multi terrain mode once again. Maybe a fluke or maybe the computer realized everything was back to normal. However my sos button has now started flashing red and green which still requires a trip to the dealership.I will update tomorrow after we get it back.

I almost hate that it went back to normal because I wanted to know what the actual is. In case someone else runs into the same problem.

this may be going backwards but I somewhat hope it comes back again so I can get a real diagnosis on it.

 

And...

"It accentuates the throttle response."

 

So just got the truck back. Toyota couldn’t find any fault codes. Coincidentally the sos button stopped flashing right as my wife was turning into the dealership. So of course I have no good news for anyone that may face this issue in the future. Sorry guys I was hoping they would find something.

 

Ought to try re-installing the PC. Make sure you wait the required time with the door open before doing so.

 

And it’s back on. And no I didn’t reconnect the pedal commander. So at this point idk what is going on. I am going to pull the roof rack off and check to make sure waters not getting anywhere it shouldn’t be. It didn’t freeze last night or get really cold but it did rain a bunch.

 

Received my Pedal Commander as a Christmas present from my wife (albeit I ordered it). Gave it a try and decided to return it. Here is why. The device worked exactly as described and I found that the City -2 setting was nice. So why am I returning it? The device adjusts throttle response, which means less throttle pressure is required to get quicker throttle response. What I found, is that when driving around 40 to 50 mph, and using my foot (no cruise control), my foot became uncomfortable, because my foot was not articulated as far forward. Since I am not needing the quicker throttle response, I decided to return the device. I am now older in age and am just fine with the amount of pedal pressure I need to accelerate, and I prefer the more forward articulation of my foot. I did find using the app on the phone simpler to use to adjust the device settings over using the little buttons on the device.

The pedal commander and the app on my phone worked great. No complaints with the quality of the product or the mobile app. Return was also easy. If you really desire having such a device, I can say that the Pedal Commander was well made and worked perfectly. I installed the product using the included instructions, which required me to keep my wireless key 20' from the vehicle for 5 minutes. I did so and received no system faults at all.

Hope this info is useful to others.

 

I hope it's an easy fix!

 

Toyota ended up having to reflash my computer to get rid of where the pedal commander was installed. Luckily the service tech was cool snd didn’t ream me out from it. He said this was the second one he’s had caused specifically by the pedal commander. All is well now and haven’t had any more issues show up. I mentioned the roof rack because at that point there wasn’t anything else really aftermarket going on anywhere.

 

Good deal! I wonder why some have issues and some don't. So, no worries about roof leaks then?

 

Nope. I was really worried about it but it was good to go. My main concern was the roof not being sealed up and since that was at the time the only thing I had “really” done to change the truck I was thinking maybe water ingress from drilling the holes in the roof. I did have a rivnut loose up there but the silicone was well sealed and it was dry in the floor board. And behind the dash. The best I could see.