Okay guys so I found the culprit....the abs cable was snapped on the front passenger side. Anyway to repair this or can I replace the whole cable pretty easily?

Either or ! Some guys have done a splice & tape , others (me) buy new cable !

Would there be any interest in a custom-made device you could plug in to the OBD2 port and push a button instead of having to mess with paperclips and stripped wires?

I made one for myself and I suppose I could make a few more if someone was interested.

Definitely! I just bought a 03 with the VSC lights on. The dealer swore that they had been out until a potential customer decided to connect a reader to the port. The dealer and perhaps customer didn't realize that the reader was not compatible with the 03-04's and that it would erase the data in the stability control computer. The customer tried to get dealer to sell them at discounted price, but the dealer told him to basically F off.

Wow, these problems are still around.

I have a 2004 4Runner and I always plug in the OBD while the engine is running. I then turn the car off to read/erase codes, and only take the OBD off when the 4runner is back running. I just know it works and if I take the OBD off any other way, I am in some flat parking lot with the paper-clip...

The VSC 'turn-off' is from both a O2 'fail' and sometimes a fuel cap issue. I have seen both.

I have the wife not allowed to refuel it, that solves the gascap issue, and I have rigged the wiring on the O2 sensors to trick the ECU into seeing what it wants.

Basically, the two rear O2 sensors are just there post-catalytic converter to check that it is functioning. The scheme the vehicle uses is to run a bit rich after a number of highway miles (30 or so?), and it monitors the voltage on these cheap old school O2 sensors. If they indicate rich, then the ecu sends a code, disables the VSC etc. (they should be sued), and people run to the stealership.

I am an EE and it is very easy to just send a constant voltage signal that makes the ecu think it is seeing a good-cat condition.

This is a problem across many Toyotas and Lexus (I believe). The VSC is a critical safety system built into the vehicles. To disable it for a gascap or emissions issue is crazy. I once called up the Toyota engineers in the US, they said it is meant to save the engine! I told them fvck-the-engine, this is the 'baby-car' that my wife hauls my kid around in. It got pretty intense and I wish I taped that phone call!!!

LC 4R,

I'm fascinated. Was it ever explained (either by Toyota or elsewhere) how an emissions device operating at less-than-peak efficiency warrants disabling the traction control system?

I would totally understand if it set the VVT-i system to a "flatline" position or maybe *maybe* disabled the A/C with the claim that "less strain on the engine reduces already higher-than-acceptable emission levels" but deactivating ABS baffles me.

The 'party-line' is that it is to prevent 'engine-damage'. It is total BS and they should be sued in a class-action case.

They should just flip on a CEL. That is all that is needed. Whoever coded the ECUs screwed the pooch and it would be a case of a recall where the owners would have to get either new ecus or come in and get the ecu updated somehow.

VSC has saved me on a number of occasions since living/driving in Colorado weather. I go up in the mountains and it is crazy coming down I70 to the city.

I have a 2006 with VCS TRAC SKID and ABS lights all on. No CEL. I have replaced the gas cap, brake light switch, and attempted to complete the Zero Point Calibration several times with no success. Would appreciate if anyone has any tips or tricks that I haven't tried yet

Thanks

Same here. No CEL, no codes. Just the 4 lights down the speedo side.

Hello, I appreciate the post. I have VSC Trac lights. I am curious about whether an OBDII scanner such as the ScanGauge II will clear VSC Off and Trac lights. If so, how? Does it actually enable or do a Zero Point Calibration?

Also,what are the differences/similarities of the Toyota Diagnostic Tester Kit and CAN Module, as compared with the ScanGauge Tool? This stuff is fascinating and I'm tired of being fleeced by the dealer.

Thank you kindly

MGH

MGH,
What year is your truck? As explained in the first post, if yours is an 03-04, using a scangauge or other similar OBD2 device is what may cause the lights to come on in the first place, assuming they are not reporting a defective sensor or other legit fault.

So, after an oil change when I got into my truck the VSC Trac and VSC Off light were lit. I left the garage figuring give it a little time to clear. Obviously didn't. Went back to the garage they couldn't figure out what it was (no codes stored).. gave them sometime to figure it out, went back a week later. Still no codes... told them to try a zero point calib. guess what to his shock it worked... Best part is they must have used a code reader to reset the oil light. Guess its time for a new garage... Thanks for the post so many years later!

Great post! Saved me after the code reader pulled a code for an upstream o2 sensor and triggered these lights to stay on. This process turned the lights off with my first try at it. I used a couple pieces of paper clip crimped on to some speaker wire so I could operate the wires from the drivers seat. Thanks!

What you need is a little something I call "The Zero Hero." Plugs right in and works with a thumb button instead of messing with jumper wires and such!

Message me if you're interested in one, I keep parts around and build them to order!

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I used this free tool (minus the five minutes to make it).



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