User Tag List

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rating: Thread Rating: 2 votes, 4.50 average. Display Modes
Old 01-16-2011, 12:56 AM #31
DaveS DaveS is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ontario
Posts: 759
DaveS is on a distinguished road
DaveS DaveS is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ontario
Posts: 759
DaveS is on a distinguished road
I would get a second opinion on the CAT - most common cause for the check engine light is an exhaust leak (count me in on that one too last winter) or an O2 sensor. Not sure how the earthing could just break away like they describe but I doubt it would cause the check engine light to kick in - it needs to be fixed however.

For reference, my 04 4Runner has had the following repair work up to 148000 km -

Exhaust leak - check engine - new gasket required last winter
Front calipers (twice - first were under warranty at least one seems to go every 70000km)
New parking brake assembly (came apart when they replaced the rear rotors last summer)
New alternator - last winter
New front Axle joint - Nov this year
New Intermediate Steering shaft (this week)
Rust on rear hatch - fixed under warranty last summer

Still love the truck but wonder how much longer the love affair will last..
__________________
2004 4x4 SR5 V8 Titanium Silver - Sold Sept 2011
2011 4x4 TRD Sport v6 Tacoma
DaveS is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 02-05-2011, 03:23 PM #32
Runnertoo Runnertoo is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1
Runnertoo is on a distinguished road
Runnertoo Runnertoo is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1
Runnertoo is on a distinguished road
CEL, VCS/ TRAC OFF lights - Gas cap (Fuel cap)

All, I hope this message is posting in the right place; this message is in response to the 3 pages of postings on the subject of CEL, VCS/TRAC OFF warning lights; the 1st message went back to 2005 and the last Jan 2011. All the information was very helpful! I have a 04 4Runner:

1. Two days ago my CEL came on; last night my VCS/TRAC OFF came on. I checked the owner’s manual; then found this web site and both talked about the loose gas cap; so that's where I started.

2. Another good tip: go to AutoZone and have them read the OBD codes for free.

3. This morning, I checked the gas cap and sure enough it was loose; I tried to tighten it; it clicked but it was still lose; I could easily turn and remove the cap without effort.

4. I went to AutoZone, and they checked the codes (Thanks AutoZone!) which indicated the gas cap and/ or vacuum system. FYI: I did not mention the loose gas cap to AutoZone when I asked them to check the codes; so it was good to see that the code actually confirmed the suspected problem.

5. I replaced the gas cap for $13, and that took care of the CEL, VCS/TRAC OFF warning lights issue.

I will certainly keep all the other information from the forum in mind the next time I get the lights. This forum helped save me some big bucks. Thanks again to all you contributors. Best of luck to all of you!
Runnertoo is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-18-2011, 05:07 PM #33
Bossman's Avatar
Bossman Bossman is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: North Bay, ON, Canada
Posts: 1,632
Bossman is a glorious beacon of light Bossman is a glorious beacon of light Bossman is a glorious beacon of light Bossman is a glorious beacon of light Bossman is a glorious beacon of light
Bossman Bossman is offline
Senior Member
Bossman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: North Bay, ON, Canada
Posts: 1,632
Bossman is a glorious beacon of light Bossman is a glorious beacon of light Bossman is a glorious beacon of light Bossman is a glorious beacon of light Bossman is a glorious beacon of light
Reading through this thread has been helpful, but my experience is totally different than anything else posted so far.

Had the check engine light, VSC TRAC and VSC OFF lights come on last night on the drive home from work. Certainly of some concern, but I could not figure out why they came on all of a sudden.

One of the roads I travel home on is almost entirely potholes (gives the suspension a good workout), so I thought maybe a sensor got jarred loose. Also, with the milder weather lately, lots of snow has been melting and there is this huge puddle (make that a mini lake!) at the entranceway to the parking lot at work. I drove through it at pretty good speed and had water spraying over the roof.

Take my T4R into my dealership the next morning to get the OBD codes read. Comes back as a problem with a transmission sensor. The technician clears the code, and all is well. All warning lights go off, and are still off.

We suspect some water got into the sensor (maybe the seal is deteriorating) and the ECU was not happy with that.

I'll try to not treat my T4R like a jet ski in the future
__________________
2011 Limited 4WD with NAV: "CDN Package" (running boards, mud guards, all-weather mats, cargo liner, block heater).
Summer: Michelin Defender LTX 245/60R20 on OEM Limited 20" rims / Winter: Toyo Observe GSi-5 265/70R17 on 2018 TRD Off-Road 17" rims.

Previous: 2003 4Runner Limited 4WD V8; 1997 Lexus LS400; 1997 Camry CE; 1988 Celica Turbo 4WD; 1982 Celica GT
Bossman is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-22-2011, 10:50 PM #34
MJ Philbin MJ Philbin is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6
MJ Philbin is on a distinguished road
MJ Philbin MJ Philbin is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6
MJ Philbin is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by pb1221 View Post
I have had the same problem twice now-am wondering if it's ok to drive with the vsc lights on? Is it doing any damage or is it dangerous that it's disabled? I can't afford to fix this again for the 2nd time in 6 months!!

thanks

pb
I have had all 4 of my sensors (o2) replaced, and at least one of them has been done more than once. When the front ones die out, you'll likely notice a slight change in the way the engine idles. It's a little more rough, especially with the AC on, and the exhaust smells of a fuel / air mix that's too rich. When the back ones go (there's one on each side of the exhaust, behind the cats), there's little to no difference in mileage or idle. The last time mine died, I was so upset that I had to go through all this again that I just drove on it for about 25K miles until the Illinois Emissions Program sent a friendly invitation to get my truck tested. At that point, I didn't have a choice. My exhaust system seems fine after all this, but I would bet the cats suffer a little when the mix isn't right.

After asking several people why this happens, and no one can really give me a positive answer, I can't help but wonder if it's due to not burning premium gas? I usually just get regular unleaded, and have for a while. Who knows?
MJ Philbin is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 06-03-2011, 10:51 PM #35
j-dub j-dub is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 74
j-dub is on a distinguished road
j-dub j-dub is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 74
j-dub is on a distinguished road
I have a 2006 SR5 2wd with 94k miles on it. I just got the VSC TRAC and check engine lights last week. First time it happened I assumed it was because I was messing with the wiring. I had disconnected the Auto LSD button when I removed the lower panel under the steering wheel to get to the fuse box area. I disconnected the battery and it cleared the lights.

One week later they came back. Gas cap is tight. I bought the 4runner 1k miles ago and have a 3k mile warranty on it.

I think I will bring it to the dealer and have them diagnose it. If they find anything interesting I will post back with my findings.

Jeremy
j-dub is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 06-04-2011, 01:11 PM #36
j-dub j-dub is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 74
j-dub is on a distinguished road
j-dub j-dub is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 74
j-dub is on a distinguished road
Well I stopped by the dealer today. The service adviser read the code, it was for the gas cap. He tested the cap by hand and said it was worn out because it was too easy to open, meaning it was not sealing properly. I went inside and got a new cap from the parts counter. The parts guy said the caps have been recently redesigned and the new one should last much longer.

Hopefully this is resolved.

Jeremy
j-dub is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-03-2011, 09:14 PM #37
SHADOW13 SHADOW13 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1
SHADOW13 is on a distinguished road
SHADOW13 SHADOW13 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1
SHADOW13 is on a distinguished road
Engine light, VSC Trac, VSC Off light

Just installed a K&N Air charger system on my 2004, engine light came on, VSC track and VSC off came on. Ran fine and no light prior to the install, guessing its getting more air than computer is used to?
SHADOW13 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 09-19-2011, 05:49 PM #38
05LimitedV8 05LimitedV8 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1
05LimitedV8 is on a distinguished road
05LimitedV8 05LimitedV8 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1
05LimitedV8 is on a distinguished road
My 05 just had the exact same problem with the same solution. Replace o2 sensor. 6 months with no rain, VSC malfunction = 3 consecutive days of rain. lol
05LimitedV8 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 10-08-2011, 12:53 AM #39
4RUN1T 4RUN1T is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Charlotte
Posts: 73
4RUN1T is on a distinguished road
4RUN1T 4RUN1T is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Charlotte
Posts: 73
4RUN1T is on a distinguished road
happened to me today
Attached Images
VSC, TRAC, and Check engine lights on-wp_000260-jpg 
__________________
187,XXX not dead yet
2002 Sport - 8000K HID - DRL delete
2 12' Infinity - Kicker 650ix
Ambient footwells
4RUN1T is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 10-30-2011, 11:02 AM #40
LC_4R LC_4R is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 14
LC_4R is on a distinguished road
LC_4R LC_4R is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 14
LC_4R is on a distinguished road
CEL/VSC Lights: O2 sensor work-around

Check out my work-around for this annoying issue. Basically all you would have to do is share the sensor reading from the post-cat O2 sensor on the good side.

In my case, the driver's side rear O2 sensor was throwing the code. I left the two heater wires on this 'bad' O2 sensor and took the signal wire and ground wire over to the good side.

Lo and behold! No more codes. I think this is just a bad cable or ground issue but it could be something more unethical since it brings people in for service ($$$). In any case, my wife and kid are in that 4runner now and I want it running right. There are many people that just figure the vehicle runs OK even with the lights. I personally did this for a couple years and I was caught in some icey conditions and crazy lane chages at other times. You WANT the VSC and 'posi' effect these systems give you.

Edit: I had replaced the 'bad' rear O2 sensor and it did not fix this issue. Toyota was no help. I even swapped over the O2 sensors and the problem did not track that! Troubleshooting 101! The rear O2 sensors are just there to check up on the catalytic converter. I passed emissions easily (fast test on the dyno emissions station), so I know that it is something in the harness or computer.

Last edited by LC_4R; 10-30-2011 at 11:06 AM.
LC_4R is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-04-2011, 11:23 PM #41
jham's Avatar
jham jham is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Uganda
Posts: 143
jham is on a distinguished road
jham jham is offline
Member
jham's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Uganda
Posts: 143
jham is on a distinguished road
My lights came on in my 01 today while passing someone on the interstate. Downshifted to pass (slush box) and they came on. No codes thrown as I run a scangauge. CEL VSC and TRAC are all on.

Its going to the dealership Monday morning for diagnostics since its not throwing any codes. Once I find out the problem, I'll buy the parts and fix it myself.

I bought this thing 3 weeks ago. Come on!
jham is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-07-2011, 09:58 AM #42
jham's Avatar
jham jham is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Uganda
Posts: 143
jham is on a distinguished road
jham jham is offline
Member
jham's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Uganda
Posts: 143
jham is on a distinguished road
Update: dealership said cylinder 4 misfire. Plugs are new, their best guess was the coil is causing some arcing.

On a side note, the tech recommended unplugging the scangauge. Said that could be causing the issue.

Did I read somewhere that a constant OBDII scanner in these things can cause problems?
jham is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-09-2011, 12:15 AM #43
toytrukn78's Avatar
toytrukn78 toytrukn78 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 85
toytrukn78 is an unknown quantity at this point
toytrukn78 toytrukn78 is offline
Member
toytrukn78's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 85
toytrukn78 is an unknown quantity at this point
VSC, TRAC, and Check engine lights on

Hi all,

Had the same problem this morning, CEL, TRAC, and VSC lights came on. I got gas last night and turns out the cap wasn't on tight enough. Disconnected the battery for about 20 minutes and the lights cleared up. Hopefully this will fix your problems too
__________________
Current: '06 4X4 SE V8
(Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor 265/70/17, Pioneer AVIC-Z1, XenonDepot 4300k, Limo Tint)

Past Runners:
'90 4X4 22RE (RIP)
'92 4X4 V6
'02 4X4 SE V6
toytrukn78 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-09-2011, 02:20 PM #44
iDRiVaT4R's Avatar
iDRiVaT4R iDRiVaT4R is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Escondido, CA
Posts: 748
iDRiVaT4R is on a distinguished road
iDRiVaT4R iDRiVaT4R is offline
Member
iDRiVaT4R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Escondido, CA
Posts: 748
iDRiVaT4R is on a distinguished road
Had the same thing happen to my 07' this morning. I got in turned up the heater, the temp gauge showed 41 degrees outside. I was getting all ready to leave and then looked at my dash, the VSC lights, and check engine light were all on. Turned off the ignition, turned it back on, still there. I thought maybe an ABS line came disconnected or something. I then realized I had a Scangauge and checked the code, PO456. Searched it on my iPhone, read it was EVAP, So I removed the gas cap, reinstalled. Lights were still on so I turned off the code.

If I get it again I'll get it checked out. I just installed a diff breather and have it exiting around the gas cap area so maybe I loosened something up. Time will tell.
__________________
Current Ride: 2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport V8 4x4
iDRiVaT4R is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-25-2011, 09:11 AM #45
madmax 06 madmax 06 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 10
madmax 06 is on a distinguished road
madmax 06 madmax 06 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 10
madmax 06 is on a distinguished road
Hi guys and gals, new here as an "official" memeber, but have been lurking for quite awhile. My wife's '06 sport edition has had theses three lights on for a couple weeks now. However, they came on once before about a year ago, and I had surfed this forum back then for possible answers, as I don't like taking any vehicle into the dealer blindly. They tried to tell me the Trac/VSC lights were on because my rotors were shot, along with the pads, and I needed a whole new brake rebuild. Well, I already knew this was false because I had just had new pads installed at my mechanic's business a few weeks prior. I called them out on it, and they knew I was not one to be "ripped" off. I told them of this forum, and that I knew that the lights were most likely due to it needing to be re-zeroed, and mentioned the TSB. The service manager said he knew nothing about it. I had them pull it up while I was standing there. They then took it in and apparently did the re-zero, and pulled it back out and low and behold the lights were off.

Fast forward to a week or so ago, and the TRAC/VSC lights are on again. No CEL though. I did have a low air pressure light on tho. I checked all 5 tires and sure enough, the spare was about 8-10 lbs low. I filled the spare, unhooked the battery for about 30 minutes, and just for the heck of it, checked the gas cap.

Re-hooked battery, and all dash lights were off!! Yeah....until I put my foot on the brake pedal. TRAC/VSC lights came back on. Uuuuugh!!! However, I noticed that if I shut off the igintion, the lights went back out and only came back on again once I pressed the brake pedal, whereas they were on before as soon as you started the vehicle, wether or not the brake pedal was pushed. So, it appears that things are starting to get narrowed possibly as t what the problem is. Maybe brake system related?? I will go get a new gas cap just to be sure the stock one is sealing or not, and then go from there.

Sorry for being so long winded, but wanted to be as accurate and detailed of the events,, so that maybe someone here who has tried always these things, may have more ideas.

Thanks to you all for any advice.
madmax 06 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Check engine light, VSC TRAC & TRAC OFF lights crainmain Maintenance/Detailing 120 11-22-2023 07:11 PM
2002 4Runner- VSC, Trac, Check Engine lights came on today ScottDetroit 3rd gen T4Rs 17 09-18-2017 11:12 AM
Check Engine + SRS + VSC TRAC + Slip Indicator lights are all on HELP!!! 4Runner07NEWBIE General Discussions 9 01-06-2011 10:30 PM
check engine light + the VSC Trac + VSC OFF lights are on- Again 1 year later Jerold 3rd gen T4Rs 22 05-26-2010 02:11 AM
2002 4Runner- VSC Trac Check engine lights came on today ScottDetroit Maintenance/Detailing 1 10-10-2008 03:32 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:10 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
***This site is an unofficial Toyota site, and is not officially endorsed, supported, authorized by or affiliated with Toyota. All company, product, or service names references in this web site are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. The Toyota name, marks, designs and logos, as well as Toyota model names, are registered trademarks of Toyota Motor Corporation***Ad Management plugin by RedTyger
 
Copyright © 2020