CEL, VSC OFF, TRAC lights on after ice storm

[cangler]

So lets recap, parked it in the driveway Thursday night, during that night we got a ice storm and I didn't leave until Sunday night (tonight). But, as I started it to warm up and get the ice off my windshield, noticed all three lights are on (check engine light, VSC OFF, TRAC). I've never seen them on before, or last time I drove on Thursday. I did unscrew the gas cap and screwed it on (heard clicks) just to be sure, turned off the engine, turned it back on, same thing. I even drove to my destination and drove back, lights still on. I went to AutoZone for them to read the code and they said it could be the weather but checked it anyways, code came back with regarding a "small leak" in the exhaust maybe? I don't recall exactly what he said but I do remember he said "small leak". He suggested I drive it a couple days and see if the lights go off on their own. I just think it's odd and wondering if it's related to the ice storm we had.... anyone else experience similar behavior?

 

[macoyle]

Do you happen to remember which code it was

 

[LUVDA4RUNNER]

Buy a oem gas cap and change it, the clicks don't mean anything. Mine did the same thing and a new gas cap solved the problem

 

[RCs4Runner]

Get the actual "P" code before you start replacing parts.

 

[YotaDriver]

...code came back with regarding a "small leak" in the exhaust maybe?

The code you got was for the gas cap, but in my experience it can take up to three days of normal driving for it to reset itself even after you've tightened the cap. You can bypass the waiting period by just disconnecting your battery for a few minutes, but the evaporative emissions code you got does typically relate to a poorly sealed gas cap.

 

[cangler]

okay got the exact code:
P0456 evaporative emissions system leak detected (very small leak)

I borrowed an OBD reader from a coworker, and went ahead and cleared it. We'll see if it comes back on.... should I go ahead and try replacing the gas cap?
2003 2008 Genuine Toyota 4Runner Gas Fuel Cap with Tether Free Shipping | eBay

That's weird though the weather gets cold and icey then all sudden it shows up that error code, wondering if they're connected somehow.

 

[MT Runner]

I had the exact same thing happen this weekend. I'm in Montana and it's been -20 for about 4 days. I got that message on Friday, I took my car in for an oil change on Saturday and they ran the code, I think it was p4506, and made sure the gas cap was screwed on tightly. It was good the rest of the day Saturday and all day Sunday when I drove around. I got in the car to go to work this morning and they were on again. I went back to the shop after work and had them rescan it. It was the same code and they reset it again. I'm going to watch it but they said if it comes on again they'd have to do a smoke test to see if there is a leak somewhere else. The "small leak" can be any number of places, not just the gas cap so fingers crossed it's not anything bigger. I'm curious if anyone else has ran into this and what they've ultimately had to do.

 

[cangler]

I had the exact same thing happen this weekend. I'm in Montana and it's been -20 for about 4 days. I got that message on Friday, I took my car in for an oil change on Saturday and they ran the code, I think it was p4506, and made sure the gas cap was screwed on tightly. It was good the rest of the day Saturday and all day Sunday when I drove around. I got in the car to go to work this morning and they were on again. I went back to the shop after work and had them rescan it. It was the same code and they reset it again. I'm going to watch it but they said if it comes on again they'd have to do a smoke test to see if there is a leak somewhere else. The "small leak" can be any number of places, not just the gas cap so fingers crossed it's not anything bigger. I'm curious if anyone else has ran into this and what they've ultimately had to do.

I can't begin to fathom that cold!
Since I cleared the code last night, haven't noticed it coming back on yet but if it does, will try new oem gas cap and clear the code again.
If it still comes back on, may need to take it to the mechanic at that point.:shrug:

 

[MT Runner]

Well it's been a balmy 25 degrees for a couple of days now and the lights haven't come back on yet. So it's obviously something with the cold weather, just not quite sure what

 

[imdtucker]

i had a similar problem a few days ago when we had temperatures in calgary, alberta drop to -22F overnight (it was colder than both the north and south pole!). lights remained on for about 3 days, but today things warmed back up to about 32 and lights were off when I started it up. hopefully warmer weather and a bit of driving will make them disappear.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Same thing happened to me...

During our cold blast. Monday and Tuesday, after coming to work and the truck sitting outside all day, CEL, VSC and TRAC lights lit. Since I have a Scangauge I checked the codes and got some bizzare codes that seemed to be nonsense, at least I cannot find any reference for them (P3F20 and P3FC0) so I just cleared them and have not had any problems since.

BTW, a scangauge or similar scan reading tool is a worthwhile buy. As a bonus, with a SGII you can get transmission temp readings, so if you tow a trailer (like I do) you can monitor trans temps.

 

[Purelife]

Subscribed.

 

[Nickortizzle1035]

Mine has been throwing the VSC, ABS, E-brake and TRAC lights when It gets very cold (the last few days here). If I fire up the truck and let it run for a couple minutes then turn it off and on, the lights go out and the ABS starts working again. My old grand cherokee did the same thing, then the ABS control module went. Every place that had them wanted about $1,000 for one :cry2:. I managed to find one on ebay for $50 shipped.

 

[siezemm]

I observed check, VSC & TRAC indicators on my '05 T4R dash...OBD code gave P0051 which is replacement of B2S1.
Does anyone know how best to select an O2 sensor of specification required? Do you also know if the replacement of the O2 sensor will clear all the indicator lights.
Thanking all in advance...