Quote:
Originally Posted by lonkelm
I'm a new owner to a 2008 SR5 4x4.
Today on my way to work, right after starting as I put it in drive, the check engine light came on, the traction control light is solid on and the VCS off light is blinking.
Where do I start?
How do I read codes on Toyota's?
Is it ok to drive home?
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First off, people need to
STOP defaulting to "its the gas cap" without understanding what is happening, its perpetuating misinformation. I'm not trying to be rude or put down fellow members; but I see almost EVERY thread on an MIL have that answer thrown up at least a few times.
When the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light, also known as a "Check Engine Light") is turned on on our vehicles, the TRAC and VSC lights will always be on if there is an OBD-II DTC stored in the vehicle. This means a DTC that directly or indirectly affects emissions as decided by SAE and government standards.
If the TRAC and VSC lights are on, but the MIL is NOT on; it CANNOT be a OBD-II related code (i.e. a gas cap) and is most likely related to the ABS/TRAC/VSC systems.
If the MIL is BLINKING, it indicates a Catalyst Damaging Misfire and the vehicle should not be operated until this issue is fixed as damage to the converters may be caused.
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That being said, in this case, going by what the OP is stating there are a couple factors to take into account.
-The MIL is on solid, this indicates an OBD-II DTC stored in the system (it COULD be a gas cap, it could be anything else)
-The VSC light is blinking, this indicates an occuring fault in the system and should be checked out
The OP should try to get the vehicle to an Auto-Parts store and see if their scanner is capable of pulling BOTH OBD-II DTCs and the ABS/TRAC/VSC codes stored in the vehicle. IF It can't pull those codes then the vehicle should be taken to an independent shop or dealer who has the capable tools.
Again I apologize if I stepped on anyone's toes; but its ridiculous to see EVERY thread EVER made for a MIL on condition to automatically be filled with a dozen "its the gas cap" cut and paste answers. Its not just on this forum, its almost every single forum I look at that has this problem. Maybe I need to make a thread explaining how the check engine light works?