Tranny/Engine idle "growl" with codes P0172 P0170

Take a look at what I did in the thread "2000 TL - VERY hard start but runs fine once started"

One of the steps was:
"Replace fuel pressure regulator..."

Welp - I replaced the OEM fuel pressure regulator with a Chineseum part from Amazon.

Once I determined the problem from above had nothing to do with the fuel pressure regulator, I left the Amazon replacement on the engine.

It suddenly had a "growl" at idle from near the firewall and the car would throw codes P0172 and P0170 upon startup. The tranny would also "hunt" in 5th gear, which really concerned me.

After f'n around with it for a few hours, I replaced the "new" (Amazon) fuel pressure regulator with the OEM one (which still worked) and immediately the "growl" disappeared and there were no codes and no "hunting. The car ran perfectly.



New "Amazon" Chinesium vs OEM fuel pressure regulator.

I don't know specifically what the differences are, but I noticed the fuel return outlet is restricted in the OEM regulator. I'm sure there's other differences, I just don't know.

WHATEVER it is, the OEM fuel pressure regulator doesn't throw any codes, and there's no "growl" near the firewall/tranny, and no more "stalling/hunting" in the tranny.
The car now runs perfectly. Apparently that fuel pressure regulator does more than just regulate fuel pressure.....

OEM FTW.

Just FYI - if anyone ever encounters this in the future...

 

^
If possible, post a link or screen shot of the specific New "Amazon" Chinesium FPR, used above, so that others can avoid.

 

All of the options on rock auto look more promising than what you have there. That part above looks like it was carved out of wood and painted silver

 

Made by BERISOUG. (?)
Pretty sure an active link would be invalid by the time someone in the future looks into this, so I took a screenshot
(whaddya know - it's suddenly "no longer available". No sht sherlock - the f'n thing doesn't work!!)
Yes, it says 2001+TL in the ad below, but the details from the original listing claimed it worked for 2000+TLs. It did thread in just fine.

It was about $28.00 in early 2025.
Definitely NOT worth the money.

 

Now that I see them side-by-side, I can't believe I fell for it. Talk about being a cheapskate...ugh!
Sigh...

 

The OEM fitment indicates compatibility with the 2000 TL for 16740-PGK-A01, though, the price is shameful.