2003 VSC Computer Replacement TSB

TeryT

TeryT

New member
We were on vacation up in beautiful South Dakota last week when my 2003 4Runner started having "interesting" VSC issues. On 4 occasions, while traveling about 35 MPH (fortunately without trailer in tow), the thing would loose power, start beeping, start braking and pull to the right! Needless to say, it scared the bejeepers outa my wife! :bugeye:

So we took it in to a local Toyota dealer, who said that the yaw sensor had incorrect values, and thought it was trying to correct a skid where there was none. The also said there was a TSB for replacing the "R & R Computer Assembly, Skid Control," and gave me a copy.

We couldn't wait throught the weekend to get the computer in, so they reset the yaw values, and we traveled the 1300 miles home with trailer in tow. Fortunately no other issues, except that the VSC light did come on for a while - which was unsettling to think that the problem might occur while towing.

So even though it has 42,000 miles on it, fortunatly I have the extended Platinum warranty, and the $1400 my local dealer will charge to replace the computer will be covered. Unfortunately it looks like I will have to eat the $140 the South Dakota dealer charged to diagnose & reset the codes - even though my local dealer had looked at the VSC light issue 2 months ago!

So just to let everyone know there is a VSC computer TSB for selected 2003 Runners - both engine types. That TSB number is: DTC C1203. :awais:
 
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I've always thought of you 2003 owners a pioneers. I don't think the owners of the 2004 and later years thank you guys often enough for your test pilot daring :D Thanks from a greatful 2004 owner ;):
 
Pitbull said:
I've always thought of you 2003 owners a pioneers. I don't think the owners of the 2004 and later years thank you guys often enough for your test pilot daring :D Thanks from a greatful 2004 owner ;):
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You know how you can show your gratitude, don't you? PM me and I'll give you an address where you can show yer luv. :love:
 
Not good to hear and $ 1,400 smackers is an outrageous price. One could probably get a remanufactured transfer case for that kind of money.
 
Thanks TeryT for the alert on this.

I have 2003 Sport V8 with 32K miles and don't have this issue yet. Is this TSB only for select vehicles or for all 2003 models?. Any one has any idea on this?.
 
I also have the platinum warranty. Since the problem is a warrented item, doesn't that relieve you of paying the diagnosing/testing fees at the other dealer? If you had the warranty work done at the out of town dealer, they wouldn't have charged you at all???
 
2003_4Runner said:
Thanks TeryT for the alert on this.

I have 2003 Sport V8 with 32K miles and don't have this issue yet. Is this TSB only for select vehicles or for all 2003 models?. Any one has any idea on this?.
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There are certain VIN runs, which mine fell into.
 
swooopeno said:
I also have the platinum warranty. Since the problem is a warrented item, doesn't that relieve you of paying the diagnosing/testing fees at the other dealer? If you had the warranty work done at the out of town dealer, they wouldn't have charged you at all???
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Yes, it would seem that way to me too. But they're saying the part replacement work has to be done by the dealer doing the diagnostic. I'm not done prodding them over this, as it is a known issue that I had had my local dealer look at at around 34k miles. Only problem is the local dealer didn't check me in when he (service manager) hooked it up. He did it more as a favor, and only took a few minutes. If they had actually checked it in, they might have seen there was a TSB for that VIN.

I may also dispute the diagnostic charge on my AMEX bill, which will at least get somebody's attention.
 
Terry: you stated TSB number DTC C1203. DTC = Digignostic Trouble Code. So this would indicate an OBDII code. The TSB should be a different number from the DTC code. Do you know the VIN range that the TSB falls under?
 
Make : TOYOTA Model : 4 RUNNER Year : 2003
Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Service Bulletin Num : 00503 Date of Bulletin: DEC 04, 2003
NHTSA Item Number: 10005760
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK
Summary:
VSC LIGHT ON CONDITION WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE C1203 IN THE SKID CONTROL COMPUTER MEMORY. A MODIFICATION TO THE SKID CONTROL COMPUTER LOGIC HAS BEEN MADE TO PREVENT THIS CONDITION. *TT


I got this from the nhts.dot.gov website
 
Looks like the correct number for this TSB may be: BR005-03

There are a whole bunch of 2003 VINs it lists at both plants. I suppose I could check if you give me a VIN number (but I don't want to type them all in here).
 
Well got the 'Runner back from the dealer. It turned out to be a bad yaw sensor, instead of the computer, which the other dealership diagnosed.

Also, the TSB mentioned above for the ECU replacement didn't apply to my 03, as it was a later production date and mine had already received the upgrade.

So for nearly $1,000, I have a new yaw sensor. Now I'm real glad I had purcased that Toyota Platinum Warranty for $700 (discount for T4R.org members). It also covered a rental Corolla to buzz around in for a day (great gas mileage - never moved off "full"!). As several have said, the Toyota mechanicals are pretty bullit proof, but the electronics are what can cost big $$!

This dealer suggest I dispute the $140 charge of the other dealer, since they diagnosed it wrong (claiming it was the computer & having wrong TSB).
 
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TeryT said:
Well got the 'Runner back from the dealer. It turned out to be a bad yaw sensor, instead of the computer, which the other dealership diagnosed.

Also, the TSB mentioned above for the ECU replacement didn't apply to my 03, as it was a later production date and mine had already received the upgrade.

So for nearly $1,000, I have a new yaw sensor. Now I'm real glad I had purcased that Toyota Platinum Warranty for $700 (discount for T4R.org members). It also covered a rental Corolla to buzz around in for a day (great gas mileage - never moved off "full"!). As several have said, the Toyota mechanicals are pretty bullit proof, but the electronics are what can cost big $$!

This dealer suggest I dispute the $140 charge of the other dealer, since they diagnosed it wrong (claiming it was the computer & having wrong TSB).
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UPDATE to this. I've got battling dealers. One says that my 'Runner definately falls in the VINs for this TSB. They faxed my a bunch of info backing this up. I am talking with my local dealer - who may have egg on his face: They may have replaced the wrong $800 part! And now need to replace this computer as the 1st dealer (Toyota of the Black Hills) said. They computer is a $1300+ item.

The Black Hills dealer said the condition could certainly happen again, since the TSB computer replacement wasn't done! YIKES!

Stay tuned . . .
 
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Well the local dealer called me back to ask when I wanted my computer ordered! Guess he found out my VIN fell squarley in the TSB. This might mean that he has to eat the $1300+ to install this, as the Black Hills dealer was correct.

So now I'll have both a new yaw sensor ($960) and a new computer ($1300)!

BTW - I do wonder a little if towing has exsaserbated this VSC situation some. I never saw any lights or anything until I started towing.
 
greasefingers said:
If you do come across the range of VIN numbers, then please post them.
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As I think I said before, I have the TSB with all the VINs, but there's like 8 different VIN numbers to punch in - and I'm lazy (two different plants, both engines, etc.)! Mine was built very late in the 03 model year, and is included, so I would think most are.
 
Got the ABS - TRC - VSC computer relplaced today under extended warranty. Normally it would cost just under $1500 installed. (This, together with the yaw sensor they replaced a couple of weeks back, brings the total to nearly $2500! Now I'm really glad I sprang for that $700 platinum warranty!)

Just thought somebody would like to see what $1500 in electronics gets you. The board appears to have at least 3 chips on it. It was in the black case above it, and tucked up under the dash by the steering column.

One thing to note - the tech said from 05's on they can just flash the computer. But these earlier ones have to be replaced.

05100600010lw.jpg
 
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