[SilverCoMnt07]

Picked up a 2004 V8 limited on Monday super cheap. It needed an alignment and there’s some lights on the dash. It wanders bad, it’s like I’m driving in 100mph winds, constant correction when going over 50mph.
Had a tune up and alignment done, checked for codes none came back. Mechanically she’s great for her age. VSC, ABS and Trac off lights are still on. Still wanders like crazy. Not pulling, no braking issues. It’s like it’s floating back and forth. Took back to the shop, they adjusted the toe but otherwise said everything was in spec. Guy blamed the lights being for the problem. Offered no other solutions.

Is that possible? The lights being on are causing instability in suspension? I’m going to obviously check the ABS sensor and maybe do a zero point calibration but I wouldn’t think the lights are causing the wandering.

[Syr4RinNC]

I would an OBDii read out. If you dont have one - go to Autozone/ Advance auto and see what it says and whats causing the lights

[MikeinNH67]

You're gonna have to pull the ABS codes, that may just be a wheel speed sensor setting those lights. The wandering has gotta be something else. Seeing they checked the front end, I would check the intermediate steering shaft u-joint for slop. Turn the key to unlock the steering wheel but not start the car, then see how much steering slop there is and if there's any noise.

[earthrealm]

Originally Posted by SilverCoMnt07

Picked up a 2004 V8 limited on Monday super cheap. It needed an alignment and there’s some lights on the dash. It wanders bad, it’s like I’m driving in 100mph winds, constant correction when going over 50mph.
Had a tune up and alignment done, checked for codes none came back. Mechanically she’s great for her age. VSC, ABS and Trac off lights are still on. Still wanders like crazy. Not pulling, no braking issues. It’s like it’s floating back and forth. Took back to the shop, they adjusted the toe but otherwise said everything was in spec. Guy blamed the lights being for the problem. Offered no other solutions.

Is that possible? The lights being on are causing instability in suspension? I’m going to obviously check the ABS sensor and maybe do a zero point calibration but I wouldn’t think the lights are causing the wandering.

obd scanners are cheap now, especially the bluetooth type. pick up this unit from amazon, download the motordata app on playstore...and read codes at home. the app can also read abs codes. also do a zpc/abs reset

Amazon.com

[SilverCoMnt07]

Thank you for the responses.

I had the codes read and nothing is coming up related to the VSC/Trac off lights. The CEL came on and it’s the thermostat but that was after the other lights had already been on. Replacing the thermostat Saturday.

I’ll check for steering slop today and go from there. I also feel like the shock on the passenger side is sagging. I’m doing a lift kit this weekend, replacing shocks and struts so that should be corrected.

[zguy1]

If the VSC or ABS light is on then there will be a code or codes set. A cheap or typical code reader does not read from VSC / ABS module.

[earthrealm]

Originally Posted by zguy1

If the VSC or ABS light is on then there will be a code or codes set. A cheap or typical code reader does not read from VSC / ABS module.

it does, the cheap 30 dollar bt unit i posted the amazon link above does. you need to mate it with a decent app...and i also named the app i use above.

@SilverCoMnt07 try doing a zero point calibration to remove the vsc & trac light

[billbuckets]

VSC, ABS, TRAC OFF lights etc came on for me intermittently with no CEL. Ended up replacing the brake light switch behind the brake pedal, and no lights for over a year! Found out about it from watching Canadian Gearhead on youtube lol. Super cheap and easy too. Something to consider!

I have also heard cheap aftermarket LED headlight bulbs can cause electrical interference FWIW.

Hope you figure it out!

[MikeinNH67]

Originally Posted by SilverCoMnt07

I had the codes read and nothing is coming up related to the VSC/Trac off lights.

SilverCoMnt07, how did you have the codes read? An issue in the ABS system will set off the VSC/Trac & ABS light but basic code readers often won't pull ABS codes. If you do not have an ABS light on then the issue is elsewhere and something like zero point calibration may fix it. BTW, some code readers will set off the VSC/Trac lights with no ABS light, the calibration method usually clears those.

Earthrealm, you mention the Veepeak one which I have an older model of. Mine will not pull ABS codes and their website does not mention it. Usually it's the ones closer to $100 that will pull them. I don't understand why yours works unless the app is pulling PIDs that mine doesn't pull.

OBDCheck BLE+ – Veepeak

[zguy1]

Originally Posted by earthrealm

it does, the cheap 30 dollar bt unit i posted the amazon link above does. you need to mate it with a decent app...and i also named the app i use above.

@SilverCoMnt07 try doing a zero point calibration to remove the vsc & trac light

I suppose I may have generalized, point being a code can be set in the VSC / ABS module but not set a CEL light. We don't know how the OP "pulled the codes".

[MikeinNH67]

BTW, if the ABS light is on then the zero point calibration process will not help. Whatever is tripping that light would need to be fixed.

[timbird1219]

Originally Posted by SilverCoMnt07

Picked up a 2004 V8 limited on Monday super cheap. It needed an alignment and there’s some lights on the dash. It wanders bad, it’s like I’m driving in 100mph winds, constant correction when going over 50mph.
Had a tune up and alignment done, checked for codes none came back. Mechanically she’s great for her age. VSC, ABS and Trac off lights are still on. Still wanders like crazy. Not pulling, no braking issues. It’s like it’s floating back and forth. Took back to the shop, they adjusted the toe but otherwise said everything was in spec. Guy blamed the lights being for the problem. Offered no other solutions.

Is that possible? The lights being on are causing instability in suspension? I’m going to obviously check the ABS sensor and maybe do a zero point calibration but I wouldn’t think the lights are causing the wandering.

I had the VSC OFF and VSC TRAC lights on for awhile now I just did a zero point calibration yesterday and it worked fine and they are staying off. Fairly easy to do yourself just google how to do it on your t4r because I don’t remember the exact steps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[warrig]

will add, one can disable the trac control and nanny switches by unplugging the steering angle sensor in the steering column.

did this on a tundra as i could not stand 3 button presses to get the thing to drive like a normal truck on dirt roads. all of three traction lights came on for something like 10-20k miles. but now only one remains, i.e. the slippery when wet one. been 8+ years ago and ~100k miles, with many not on paved roads.

just did this to the 4runner. the 3 trac lights are on like it is xmas. TBD if they turn off like the tundra.

disclaimer, one does lose the trac control, VSC is permanently off so no more dead pedal. this only impacts me when the caddy corner front and rear tires are not touching ground which is a rare occurrence that i can often avoid. all other stuff works normal, i.e. 4wd hi/lo, differential lock.