Another VSC Trac, VSC OFF, ABS, BRAKE!, and Swerve/Slippage Light PROBLEM!!!

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HotSauceT4r

New member
I know that this has been discussed a number of times before but I thought I would share my tale.

I got my rig New York State Inspected today, and somehow it passed with all 5 of the lights (ABS, Brake! VSC OFF, VSC Trac, and Slippage lights) still illuminated. That kind of surprised me. I expected a call from my mechanic that it failed because of all the lights. He continued to look at my 4Runner for a few hours after the inspection to try to find out the deal with all the lights but he couldn't come to a conclusion. Apparently when it was first hooked up to the reader the truck spat out about 12 codes. But after clearing or just disconnecting the read (not sure of which) he reconnected it and got only 2 codes:

c0210 and c1223

I told him about this forum and even printed out and dropped off the "one cause one fix" thread on here along with the VSC zero point calibration pdf file and he was intrigued by it. He couldn't figure out how an O2 sensor or something like that might cause this issue, as was stated in some other threads because the two systems are separate inside the engine. I am by no means a mechanic so maybe I explained it wrong to him, I am not sure.

I have tried the zero point back in February and if i recall correctly it worked for only one trip then when it was shut off the codes came back. I have ignored it since then but now I really want to fix the Christmas tree which is my dashboard.

I have tried the battery disconnect (both the positive and negative terminals removed at once), checked the brake fluid level, done the zero point, and still no luck.

Any help of advice on where to go form here? He said it might be the ABS ECU which would really suck if that was the case. I am hoping its just something small and hard to find with all the issues that go along with this very common and terrible problem. Please help I just want my ride to "work properly" again. Thanks.
 
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those codes pertain to the abs / rear wheel speed sensor. I have not looked at the connectors so I do not know if they can be inspected easily. Check for broken wires or loose wires at the connectors.
 
I had the EXACT same lights come on in my 2007 Limited a year ago. Long story short, the tech at the dealership tried to find the cause on 2 or 3 different visits but could not do it. He said the codes had not been cleared and that's why the lights came back on.

On the 3rd visit, they told me it was a problem with the master cylinder and the brake booster and that both would have to be replaced for $2300, OK, whatever (I was under warranty) just get those damn lights to stay off!!

So I drive back home with the new master cylinder and brake booster and within one day all the lights were back on!! Just a side note, all during this time, the 4Runner drove and braked perfectly so I never had an indication there was a brake or abs problem.

The problem was finally identified correctly as a bad brakelight switch which was a $10 repair for parts and labor. The service advisor said the $2300 repair was still necessary to fix the problem but I don't believe it. He was just trying to save face and cover his a$$.

I think it was just the brakelight switch......period. But it was nice of Toyota to give me a brand new master cylinder and brake booster at 50,000 miles:cheers:

Oh and ever since the brakelight switch was replaced, those lights have not come back on ever since.

Keep us posted and good luck!!
 
LandRvr: Thanks for the post. I will suggest that to my mechanic and its worth the $10 roll of the dice if it gets those damn lights to go off. I hate looking down at my dash and seeing them, it makes me depressed. I will let you know what happens.
 
HotSauceT4r said:
LandRvr: Thanks for the post. I will suggest that to my mechanic and its worth the $10 roll of the dice if it gets those damn lights to go off. I hate looking down at my dash and seeing them, it makes me depressed. I will let you know what happens.
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When this happened to me it totally brought back TERRIBLE memories of my Land Rover Discovery and all the mysterious and unexplained warning lights and a million other problems!!!!!! uggggghhhhhhhh

LOVE LOVE LOVE my 4Runner!!!!!!!!!!
 
snhrph said:
HotSauceT4r I had the same on my GX a couple of weeks ago. Turned out to be a broken gas cap - $25 total cost....
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Same issue here but the tech told me it was a code related to the pressurization of the evaporative/fuel systems, he cleared the light, tightened the gas cap and told me if it happens again to buy a new cap. It hasn't returned in over 3,000 miles.
 
I had the exact same issue with my gas cap. I didn't actually need a new one, however. My problem was that the little cord had become very twisted over the years, and the tensile strength was preventing my gas cap from seating properly. A quick cut with my pocket knife, and voila! no more dash lights. I just have to place my cap in the gas door holder rather than letting it dangle, which is fine. Helps me to keep gas off my paint.
 
My VSC/VSC TRAC lights only come on when its cold out, under 35 degrees. Anyone have any suggestions whats causing this? Thanks!
 
ryannemeth said:
My VSC/VSC TRAC lights only come on when its cold out, under 35 degrees. Anyone have any suggestions whats causing this? Thanks!
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The first time that I can remember all my lights coming on it was very cold, around 20 degrees F. Could I have cracked a brake line relay or something causing the lights to trip? The brakes still work, so I really can't put my finger on it.
 
Nuke said:
Same issue here but the tech told me it was a code related to the pressurization of the evaporative/fuel systems, he cleared the light, tightened the gas cap and told me if it happens again to buy a new cap. It hasn't returned in over 3,000 miles.
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Do you have to take it to a mechanic to "have the code cleared" or will the lights go off automatically? (assuming that is issue)
 
bboone2787 said:
Do you have to take it to a mechanic to "have the code cleared" or will the lights go off automatically? (assuming that is issue)
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Assuming the problem is fixed the code should clear after about 100 miles. You can also manually clear it by unhooking your battery and touching your positive and negative cables together (don't tough them to the battery, just each other when disconnected) No need to do this though when it will clear itself in a short time.
 
I had this exact same issue. for me the resolution removing/cleaning/reinstalling the brake pedal switch of all things.

Did resets/took to dealer to no avail/...until I read about the brake switch issue.

No problems since then.

YMMV as to if this is the root cause of your issue.
 
I had very similar issues which I also fixed with the a new brake light switch.

I got the following two codes when my lights came on:

C1223: Malfunction in ABS Control System
C1249: Brake Light Switch Circuit Malfunction

I got the code descriptions from the following website: http://alflash.com.ua/OBDII/DTCe1.pdf

The second code relating the brake light switch is key so I went to O'Reilly's and got the following part: Import Direct Ignition 18-1827 - Stoplight Switch | O'Reilly Auto Parts

I pulled out the old one (which requires a little twist first then pull) and put the new one and boom! the lights were gone. The pictures below are the part and where it's located (which is right above the brake pedal):



 
wow..very neat.
my pals truck had the brake light, abs, vsc etc lights come o n after the mechsanic replaced his hub....
any heads up on where to start trouble shooting from?
 
Perfect advice 06 4Runner

My 2006 4Runner experienced the VSC Trac, VSC OFF, ABS light issue. I went to Advance Auto Parts, they read my codes determining the switch was the issue. When they read the codes with their machine it reset the lights, but the issue continued the next day.I bought the Stoplight Switch for $22.99 from Advance Auto Parts after the issue continued. I installed the switch in less than 5 minutes and BOOM - we are now back in business! Great advice saving me $$$$.:bravo::bravo::bravo:
 
subscribed, had this issue.. Replaced the gas cap...had the codes reset.. Was fine for 1000 miles and now the problem is back.

It is really cold out right now, maybe thats the cause.. But im goinf to try the brake light switch and see if thats going to take care of it.
 
gaara46 said:
subscribed, had this issue.. Replaced the gas cap...had the codes reset.. Was fine for 1000 miles and now the problem is back.

It is really cold out right now, maybe thats the cause.. But im goinf to try the brake light switch and see if thats going to take care of it.
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I have an '04 that was doing the same thing. Ended up being the device I had plugged into my OBD port. Unplugged it and did a Zero Calibration and haven't seen the issue again.

;)
 
In had the same issue when I plugged in the scangauge, three lights came on. Simple unplugged it, did no zero calibration either! Everything went back to normal!!
 
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