2015 Models CEL and TRAC OFF lights explained

[usaf_fire]

This is mainly for those of you where it gets stupid cold and live in a place where the air hurts your face.

Just had my check engine light come on and trac off lights, and it was legit....zero traction control. Now while this doesn't really bother me too much as I am fairly confident in the snow and ice, it also knocked out cruise control for those nice long highway drives where there is no ice.

Long story short I called Toyota to set up an apt and was called back at an ungodly hour by the service dept manager who was letting me know they were getting about 20 drive in's a day with this same issue on 2015 models. Apparently its a new bug with new models where, when garage kept, your coolant temp reads a nice warm 65 degrees +\- depending on what part of Antarctica you live in. However when you pull it out of your garage to the negative f*ck temperatures the sensors start arguing over what is what and shut the system down as a precaution and throw a CEL. They reflashed my ECU and said theirs doubt it will go away completely but so far that's done the trick.

hoping this helps put minds at ease with any new T4R's in their first cold winter

 

[mcarey86]

Guess thats the one perk of not having a heated garage to park in.

 

[Lugboot]

...obviously no garage builds character.

 

[tomtundra]

To add to this...I just had the same issue with me 2016 TP. Check Engine and Trac Light On as well as 4LO blinking. Turns out my Gas Cap wasn't completely locked . It actually says this on the gas cap, if you don't turn to "One Click" the Check Engine Light May Come On.

 

[Yoderguy]

So... Not the same issue as the OP? lol

 

[gbphoenix]

Not to necro a thread, but I searched all over the place and this is the only related one I can find. Same thing happened to me yesterday during our lovely Polar vortex up in WI and well everywhere.

New to us 2015 4runner limited with 31,000 miles (we love it and I'm so glad I was able to talk the wife out of a highlander or blech van...) She still loves driving my 14 gmc sierra so that helped

We have a heated garage but keep it at 40 when the temps get super super cold, but it must have been enough to set things off because a couple minutes after driving in the -20 temps both lights came on and have stayed on. Checked at the local toyota dealer to pull codes and they said it's more than the gas cap one but would have to pay the inspection cost to have them dive into it.

Bringing it back to the lexus dealer who I bought it from recently to have them look at it Monday and find out what could be going on. I'm hoping an ECU reflash as discussed here will solve it and keep it from coming back.

Anyone else have the same problem in this latest cold stretch?

Thanks!

 

[2chains]

Just happened to me this afternoon. I do garage it it but not that cold,,,-5c. We've had -35c last few weeks no issue. Checked and tightened gas cap and no dice. Guess I'm off to the stealer

 

[3s1kill]

Not to necro a thread, but I searched all over the place and this is the only related one I can find. Same thing happened to me yesterday during our lovely Polar vortex up in WI and well everywhere.

New to us 2015 4runner limited with 31,000 miles (we love it and I'm so glad I was able to talk the wife out of a highlander or blech van...) She still loves driving my 14 gmc sierra so that helped

We have a heated garage but keep it at 40 when the temps get super super cold, but it must have been enough to set things off because a couple minutes after driving in the -20 temps both lights came on and have stayed on. Checked at the local toyota dealer to pull codes and they said it's more than the gas cap one but would have to pay the inspection cost to have them dive into it.

Bringing it back to the lexus dealer who I bought it from recently to have them look at it Monday and find out what could be going on. I'm hoping an ECU reflash as discussed here will solve it and keep it from coming back.

Anyone else have the same problem in this latest cold stretch?

Thanks!

Necro an old thread again. This just happened to me. Garage 2015 Limited. Its been negative 10 lately. After about 15min drive dropping my daughter at school the TRAC OFF light and CEL turns on. I get home and pull it in the garage and turned it off/on thinking that would fix it but didn't.

Good to know, I appreciate the tip. It will save me a trip to the dealership. I'll throw a code reader on it later and see what it says.