Blinking VSC OFF, CHECK engine solid, traction icon solid

M

Mirlen

New member
I've read a couple of the VSC OFF light posts but they seem to be about VSC OFF being solid. I had my vehicle (2008 4Runner V8 Sport) in for a simple oil change, rotate etc (5k svc freebie) and this morning I started it up and noticed that the CHECK enging light was solid, VSC OFF was blinking, and the out of control vehicle (traction control) icon was solid. I shut it off, restarted, same thing. Tried holding the VSC off switch, nothing. Put it in 4 Low, locked center diff, nada...Got up on a little hill and let it roll back, brakes engaged, didn't try any abusive ABS test though.

I suspect that perhaps something happened when they were working on it last week as I haven't been driving it a whole lot in the past week but am curious if anyone has had a similar issue and found the cause themselves. I checked fuses and didn't see anything, bit cold out so don't feel like crawling under her right now. Have an appointment tomorrow morning at the dealer to check it out but any input you can provide to ease my mind would be helpful :)
 
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Gas cap.

Defective gas cap replaced.

Was going to have them check the drive line thunk while I was there but I couldn't get it to happen (!?). Maybe due to how cold it is now...might have to wait until spring...
 
sorry i missed the thread, I had to pour through several "what tire" threads and will this rub.. only to find this one too late..


I assume you got it fixed under warranty?

.. good info to know if someone else encounters the same dashboard light combo
 
rook said:
sorry i missed the thread, I had to pour through several "what tire" threads and will this rub.. only to find this one too late..


I assume you got it fixed under warranty?

.. good info to know if someone else encounters the same dashboard light combo
Click to expand...

Ya, under warranty, gas cap was replaced. That was one of the things I did check...made sure cap was on tight so I guess there was a problem with the seal on it, oh well. It'd be nice if they would just integrate displays that showed you the diag codes and description so people could just fix the little problems *sigh*
 
rook said:
sorry i missed the thread, I had to pour through several "what tire" threads and will this rub.. only to find this one too late..


I assume you got it fixed under warranty?

.. good info to know if someone else encounters the same dashboard light combo
Click to expand...
Yesterday I had the same light combination, but different cause. A quick trip to Advance Auto Parts and a code reader said defective Mass Airflow Sensor. I bought a can of MAF cleaner, sprayed down the MAF and had the code reset. Problem solved!
 
I have a 2008 4-Runner Limited V6 that had a blinking "VSC Off", solid "TRAC," (car with skid marks behind it), and a solid "Check Engine" light.

I brought it to Auto Zone for a free diagnostic code check. The code said I needed a gas cap. I replaced the gas cap. After 2 days, the lights went out.

Apparently, the original cap was not sealing well and over time the pressure constantly leaked out, until it was too much lost. Over the 2 days the pressure built back up to an acceptable level.

It saved me a $105 dealership diagnostic code check. The replacement cap cost $12.
 
I've just recently had these same lights come on in my 08 4runner after a weekend of driving around in wet slushy snow. I took it to a Toyota dealer to have it tested. They told me it was the main computer and that it needed to be replaced at @ $1100!!!

When leaving I noticed that the lights were off (it must have been from them testing it). Two days later when going through a car cash, the lights came back on when the underneath was being sprayed.

I ran the code through the internet and it is the computer code but I have a hard time believing dealers.... They seem to always want to rip you off. Could this be a sensor under the car?? That when it gets wet, it comes on? HELP!! :(
 
Adugan said:
I've just recently had these same lights come on in my 08 4runner after a weekend of driving around in wet slushy snow. I took it to a Toyota dealer to have it tested. They told me it was the main computer and that it needed to be replaced at @ $1100!!!

When leaving I noticed that the lights were off (it must have been from them testing it). Two days later when going through a car cash, the lights came back on when the underneath was being sprayed.

I ran the code through the internet and it is the computer code but I have a hard time believing dealers.... They seem to always want to rip you off. Could this be a sensor under the car?? That when it gets wet, it comes on? HELP!! :(
Click to expand...

Have you found anything out about this? Same happened to my 08 SR5 yesterday after a trip to the Laserwash. I'm going to have Autozone read the code tonight. I'll let you know what I find out.


UPDATE: Went to Autozone at lunch. Code is P0705, "Transmission range sensor circuit malfunction" Figure it got wet during the undercarriage wash...
 
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What was the fix for P0705?

RocNYRunner said:
Have you found anything out about this? Same happened to my 08 SR5 yesterday after a trip to the Laserwash. I'm going to have Autozone read the code tonight. I'll let you know what I find out.


UPDATE: Went to Autozone at lunch. Code is P0705, "Transmission range sensor circuit malfunction" Figure it got wet during the undercarriage wash...
Click to expand...

I have the same issue. After much rain and water crossings (nothing deep) I have a check engine light and trac flashing code. Please post your fix.
 
Possibly an issue with getting a touchless car wash in freezing cold?

RocNYRunner said:
Have you found anything out about this? Same happened to my 08 SR5 yesterday after a trip to the Laserwash. I'm going to have Autozone read the code tonight. I'll let you know what I find out.


UPDATE: Went to Autozone at lunch. Code is P0705, "Transmission range sensor circuit malfunction" Figure it got wet during the undercarriage wash...
Click to expand...

I just washed my 2008 4Runner SR5 4x4 with 78K miles on it this past weekend at an enclosed touchless carwash. The outdoor temperature was approximately 5 degrees. Two days after this wash, I saw this specified light combo rear its ugly, blood-pressure rising head. My guess is that something froze somewhere. Perhaps some water froze down there after collecting in the wrong place during the carwash. I do not garage my vehicle.

  • This morning I conducted an anti-lock brake test by simply traveling 10 mph or so, then jamming down the peddle on packed snow. I could hear the usual ticking of the system as it worked.
  • 4-wheel drive seems to be functional.
  • In rear-wheel drive only, I could spin the back wheels. However, I heard no traction-control "beep beep beep," perhaps due to the VSC being off due to the problem, whatever it may be.

Day of this post: 12/29/2015.
Noticed lights on: First thing Monday morning on 12/28/2015
Touchless car wash on Saturday: 12/26/2015

I will report my findings upon discovery.

Update on evening of original post date: 12/29/2015

The gas cap was not on properly, according to the gentleman at O'Reilley's Auto who performed a free diagnostic scan of my vehicle.
"The only code it's showing is the one for the gas cap," he said.
We fastened the gas cap. He unplugged his device. The sequence of annoying lights vanished.
 
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Gas cap was the culprit

I found this thread related to the maintenance light solid, flashing vsc, and solid track light...which I have had for six months. I was sure that I had issues with the vsc system, but no codes. I had evap codes for small leak, large leak, and flow. Replaced the gas cap at autozone and the computer reset today with no lights. Thanks to those who posted about this issue. Probably saved a couple hundred dollars at the garage.

:thanks:
 
VSC/Skid/engine lights

2/2/17 update, I bought a cap from autozone but didn't like that my original tether didn't fit, I called Liberty Toyota and asked for a better price on the OEM cap and got one for $20 plus tax. I asked them to clear the fault on the 4runner but was told it would cost me over $100, the standard diagnostic fee. I told them all I wanted was them to spend approx. 5 minutes plugging in the scanner and erasing the fault, at first they refused, I asked to speak to the manager because I said it was poor business ethics and a lack of goodwill towards local customers. He went to get a manager and upon return he said that they would erase the code at no charge. I installed the OEM cap, had the code reset, 500 miles later no issues. Thanks to the forum I saved at least $120.

I had the same issue with lights, I'm headed to Autozone for a new cap, I called the dealership and after probing the guy I was told that the VSC, Skid control AND check engine light ALL COME ON whenever there is a fault, what a con to get you to take your vehicle to the dealer. Anyway, I can't imagine how many suckers take their vehicle to get it scanned for $120 (approx.) and get ripped off for who knows what. More to follow after I get the $15 cap from Autozone. I should be able to get an O-RING rather than replacing the whole gas cap.
 
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Leaving for work yesterday AM, start my 4Runner and the check engine light & skidding auto light are solid on with the VSC icon flashing. Quick search here led to the gas cap being the problem but I took it to my local Toyota dealership today to validate.

Free code scan verified it was just the gas cap. $23 + tax later and I'm back on top.

Thanks T4R for making another one easy.
 
bluefalcon25 said:
I'm having the same issue. Completely random when it happened. Is it okay to drive with these light's flashing?
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Dude, that all depends on what the issue is. If it is just a gas cap, then yes, you're fine. If it is one of the reasons above (tranny sensor, MAF sensor, etc.) or something more dire then potentially no. I've read though that you're not in immediate danger until the check engine icon is flashing.
 
I'm now in the same boat as everyone else. Scanned at Autozone, gas cap. I plan to get a new cap, but how do I get the system reset? Do I need to beg the local Toyota dealership to do it for free? Or will it get enough pressure back in the tank to turn the code off?
 
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.
 
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