ABS and VSC Warning Lights on! Any Ideas Why??

[LandRvr Convert]

Hey guys. I own a very pampered 07 Limited 4WD V8 that I purchsed new and now has 48K miles.

Never any issues with my truck until a few days ago when the VSC OFF light, ABS light, VSC light, and the icon of the car with skid marks behind it came on. (All the Yellow lights in the photo)

The truck drives and brakes just like the day I bought it, but why are these lights on???

They have come on all together (steady, not flashing) for maybe 2-3 minuets and then go right back off again during normal driving. This has happened 3 times in the past week.

I took it to the dealer today and they checked it out. They said there were no codes thrown previously and there were no codes currently being shown and mechanically, the braking system looked fine. Later this afternoon, I saw all those lights on again a few hours after the dealer visit.

The tech told me to call back if I saw them on again, so I will call tommorow.

Any ideas on what could be causing this?

Thanks guys!

 

[A10MileHusker]

Hey guys. I own a very pampered 07 Limited 4WD V8 that I purchsed new and now has 48K miles.

Never any issues with my truck until a few days ago when the VSC OFF light, ABS light, VSC light, and the icon of the car with skid marks behind it came on. (All the Yellow lights in the photo)

The truck drives and brakes just like the day I bought it, but why are these lights on???

They have come on all together (steady, not flashing) for maybe 2-3 minuets and then go right back off again during normal driving. This has happened 3 times in the past week.

I took it to the dealer today and they checked it out. They said there were no codes thrown previously and there were no codes currently being shown and mechanically, the braking system looked fine. Later this afternoon, I saw all those lights on again a few hours after the dealer visit.

The tech told me to call back if I saw them on again, so I will call tommorow.

Any ideas on what could be causing this?

Thanks guys!

Scary sight isn't it!? :lmao: I had the same thing the week I bought my 4R and they fixed it for free after I took it back complaining. I had all those lights on EXCEPT for the ABS and the reason was my gas cap. Wasn't holding the pressure. That's my guess

 

[manhunter]

I had the same thing happen this weekend after wheeling - the VSC, VSC OFF, and the ENGINE light would all stay on. I went through some water and probably got something wet that aint supposed to be. I un-hooked the postitive post on my battery, rehooked it, started up and the lights are no longer on. Of course you only want to do this if you are comfortable that everything is working properly and there are no issues.

 

[toto]

If it happens repeatedly, then I think I've read that it's because the computer needs re-calibration of the VSC system. The procedure is called "Zero-Point Calibration for VSC". TSB # 0020-08 mentions the procedure, but since it's slightly different on every vehicle, the TSB doesn't have instructions. Instead, you need to look up VSC Zero-Point Calibration in the service manual for your model. The TSB says that re-calibration is necessary whenever an alignment job is done (or related parts are replaced), or if the master cylinder is replaced.

For a dealer, I think all it really involves is parking on a level surface, disconnecting the battery to clear history, and then using their OBD scan tool to tell the computer to do the calibration.

There are a lot of threads on this subject on this forum, so I might have read that here!

 

[LandRvr Convert]

Thanks guys, will be calling Toyota in 5 min and will keep you posted.

 

[LandRvr Convert]

Thanks guys, will be calling Toyota in 5 min and will keep you posted.

 

[LandRvr Convert]

Just dropped off the 4Runner at the dealer. Service advisor says may be a master cylinder problem.

Now I get a free test drive in a 2010 Prius. Of course my first choice was 4Runner loaner......no dice, 2nd choice was a Highlander.....no dice, I jokingly asked about a Landcruiser loaner.....yeah right!!!! the girl told me I could get a Camry or Corolla, or Prius.

The Prius is pretty cool, but I don't want one now. Just not my cup of tea.

 

[LandRvr Convert]

Just got a call from Toyota, and the verdict is...........an electrical short circuit in the master cylinder/brake booster assembly.

The part is $2100 plus $200 labor which is all covered under my Platinum Warranty and the Prius loaner is also covered.

I didn't think I needed that warranty but I bought it just in case!! So.....it just paid for itself.:reddance:

 

[r32]

Crap.

This same thing just happened to me. I was on a 900 mile trip. Around mile 600 it happened. I went outside in the early morning to start my car and the 'Check Engine' light came on, along with the constant flashing of the VSC light and skid light.

I was traveling down the super winding highway 1 the day before, so I'm wondering if that had anything to do with it? Smooth pavement and a few dirt roads, but nothing big. Also, several weeks ago I was offroading in the southern Nevada deserts.

Also, 3 days prior (1 day before trip) I changed my oil. But I don't see how that has any bearing? I changed it exactly the same way I always have, with same oil and at same 5k interval.

I guess I'm going to have to take it into the dealership. I'm going to try the battery thing first and see if it comes back on.

 

[luckybains]

Glad everything worked out for you. I had the same problem with mine. Found out it was the ignition coil. All covered under warranty. So glad I got that.

 

[blindside]

Im having this same issue now.. havent had toyota check it yet im going this weekend.. no blinking lights just steady and its mostly in the morning that i experience this.. dont happen to often but when it does it can be a scary sight.. :wow2:

 

[r32]

Hmmm. Got a call from the Dealer. My 4runner is fixed.

The diagnosis for the problem: The gas cap wasn't sealed all the way and needed tightening. :thumb3:

Stupid of me not to check that!!! :redbrick:

 

[LandRvr Convert]

OK, a quick update from the OP..........after a $2600 repair to replace the master cylinder and brake booster (covered under warranty) the same damn lights came on again today and stayed on for my 1 hour drive to work!!!:wtf::

I will be taking it in Thursday for my 50K service and get this checked out. The truck brakes and drives just fine.

 

[thank You!]

I had the same thing happen this weekend after wheeling - the VSC, VSC OFF, and the ENGINE light would all stay on. I went through some water and probably got something wet that aint supposed to be. I un-hooked the postitive post on my battery, rehooked it, started up and the lights are no longer on. Of course you only want to do this if you are comfortable that everything is working properly and there are no issues.

Thank you for this post. It helped me today so I created an account simply to say thank you and to pay if forward for somebody else.

I don't own a 4-runner so I won't be back to your forums but my sister does and I did some work for her today and had the issue with the vsc warning lights on as well as a check engine after I performed some services.

I installed spark plugs, air filter, flushed her cooling system, oil change and replaced the front and rear brakes pads.

After about 10 minutes of driving we were on a small hill when the three lights came on and the engine seemed to be missing a little bit a low rpms. I didn't touch anything other than the above services I performed and know my way around a vehicle pretty well. I am no longer a mechanic professionally but I was. This was my first 03 4runner to work on. After reading this thread and disconnecting the battery for about 5 minutes I took it for another test ride and it drove perfectly. I decided to stay on the road for about 30 minutes and performed various different tests such as starting on a hill from a stop when the traction control makes it little noise and the other light comes on for a second when at light throttle. You 4runner owners know what I mean, my sister told my this was normal. So after 30 minutes of testing everything seemed to check out and she drove home and no issues..

So I'd just like to say thank you for these forums and manhunter for this post in particular. :thumb3:

 

[Moose tracker]

I changed my rear axle driver side this week-end and the ****ing light go on, i think is't the abs sensor connection is bad because a broked the snap of the connector it,s my opinion i will check soon the connector.

 

[gmc134]

ABS, VSC, lights on and often odometer and speedometer stop

I read all the posts I could find about this topic, and though this is an old string I hoped to hep anyone who is experiencing this problem with my experience and finally my resolution.
I replaced the little ABS switch under my brake pedal first. I can't recall where I bought it but I got it pretty cheap (about $35) on-line. That didn't do anything, but it was the cheapest option to try and fix it easily.
Then I waited until I found an ABS Module on eBay for $55 total including shipping (#89540-35320). Replaced it and the lights went out halfway down the street so I thought it was fixed but two days later they came back on again. Hmmm.
I decided it was time to do some electrical continuity checks on the ABS Sensors at the wheel hubs. So, I removed the right front tire and immediately noticed a severely torn half shaft boot. So, I replaced the half shaft. When I opened the box for the shaft I read the notice inside to make sure I understood anything unusual (heaven forbid I would look for instructions!). I noticed one sentence in fine print that said damaged boots sould let water and grit in which could damage the axle (of course) AND IT COULD INTERFER WITH THE CORRECT OPERATION OF THE ABS SYSTEM. I was hoping this was the entire problem and it has been two or three weeks now and no more lights since I replaced the half shaft.
I noticed some odd things too that you may notice:
1. The problem started when the temperature went to -8 degrees, which is a common issue with the 4Runner ABS system for some reason.
2. When I went through the automatic care wash and the wheels got wet (undercarriage washer) the lights would go out for a while.
3. When it rained the lights would often stay off until the rain was over and the roads were dry.

So, the only thing I can figure is water was entering through the boot and somehow providing a connection to the ABS sensor and the ABS system that normally would not connect all the time otherwise. Weird and perhaps not a correct assumption. (I'm not an electrical engineer or even claim to be very capable with electrical systems in general.)
Anyway, that's my experience. Hope it helps someone out there.

 

[Supersonic]

So, I replaced the half shaft. When I opened the box for the shaft I read the notice inside...that said damaged boots could let water and grit in which could damage the axle (of course) AND IT COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CORRECT OPERATION OF THE ABS SYSTEM.

Noticed a torn boot, VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, TRAC, ABS lights were on during only 2 mornings when there was high humidity, drove a short trip and they went out upon restart. Can't remember if the check engine light was on, I'm thinking it wasn't.

Tonight I checked the ABS codes and got the c1223, U0123, U0124, U0126, no check engine light is on.

c1223 abs control system malfunction
u0123 lost communication with yaw rate sensor module
u0124 lost communication with lateral acceleration sensor module
u0126 lost communication with steering angle sensor module

Had the brake light switch so I've swapped that and took a ride around and still got the codes. Both brake lights are coming on, everything is operating as expected.

At this point I am going to continue to monitor it being I just changed the switch and the hope of it still cycling out, though I know at some point I would correct the CV boot issue.

 

[karbs]

Another vote for loose gas cap

I just experienced this same problem yesterday. Occurred after filling up and getting my emissions checked. Tightened gas cap after reading this forum, and drove around today. Seems to have resolved the issue. Thank you to all the contributors. :hatsoff:

 

[ianf5]

Take out the gas cap and lubricate the o ring with some teflon grease, then tighten it back up and after a few minutes or so of driving that should go away. Worked for me.

 

[bko4488]

I just experienced this same problem yesterday. Occurred after filling up and getting my emissions checked. Tightened gas cap after reading this forum, and drove around today. Seems to have resolved the issue. Thank you to all the contributors. :hatsoff:

Experiencing the same thing a week after getting a smog check. No check engine light and but all 4 of those lights are on.

Crossing my fingers that tightening the gas cap does the trick.