CEL, VSC TRAC, and VSC OFF lights on Please HELP!

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cah283

New member
I have seen similar post on here about this problem but let me state what is happening with my car.

I have a 2004 V6 Sport edition with 129K miles. On Tuesday my CEL, VSC TRAC, and VSC OFF lights came on!! I took the car in for a routing oil change and I asked them to pull the code. It was P0306 (#6 cylinder misfire). After I got the car back I put in a new DIE HARD GOLD battery and all lights were off due to a reset. On the second start up since replacing the battery I noticed that it shakes for about 20 seconds after start up and then runs smoothly. All three lights came back on!

This is the only work that was done on the car (since I bought it in 2007) other than routine oil changes and winterizations (flush fluids and check hoses).

Summer 2010 I swapped out the fog light fuse with the A/C fuse (A/C stopped working so I read online this was an easy fix until I could get another fuse) problem was solved!
November 2010 spark plugs replaced by dealer
August 2011 New tires by dealer, breaks and rear rotors by myself
February 2012 Battery by myself

What I've read online is that others have spent tons of money replacing various parts and never found a resolution to this problem. I checked the gas cap and its fine. There is no overheating or loss of fluids however I did noticed the brake fluid was low and I plan to fill it up next time I go out. Pepboys said they can do a diagnostic test for about $115 to find what could be causing the problem. I want to avoid spending money on things that I don't need and that don't need to be replaced. My questions are:

1. Should I replace the spark plugs again? I was told they should last about 60k miles and I have only gone about 25k at most.

2. I did not have the 100k or 120k mile services done. What do they replace at those services and could that be causing the problem?

3. Has anyone else with this problem and the P0306 code found a resolution?

Any help is greatly appreciated!
 
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VSC is vehicle stability control... I dont believe it should have anything to do with a cylinder misfire like your saying as there 2 different systems... For refrence, My VSC TRAC and VSC OFF lights are constantly on because mine is turned off on the computer..
 
I too had that code pop up a few days ago. My research shows that it's due to a leaking head gasket and is becoming a common problem with the 4lt V6. Check the Antifreeze level regularly and be on the lookout for any signs of overheating. You can also have the oil examined to check for any contamination.
As suggested, Its a good idea to call Toyota Corp HQ and try to get this problem fixed thru recalls since the number of this happening to people is increasing significantly daily. Apparently the last number of the part # for the head gasket has also been changed recently which means one of two things; Toyota is aware of the problem and has a new part or Toyota is aware of the problem and went with a different manufacturer.
 
I haven't noticed any change in the coolant levels but will check again! I will look for the number to HQ and give them a call! Thanks for the reply!
 
Today these lights came on for me and I have a 2003 V8. I am going to have to find a good code reader or take it to the dealer. I have not noticed anything out of the ordinary till today.
 
Swap number 6 plug with another cylinder and clear the codes....if the missfire code changes to that cylinder than you have your answer...it's the plugs. If not, do the same thing with the coils. Should be one or the other. There is a very slight chance it could also be a fuel injector but I doubt it.

Do these 2 things and report back.

Vsc lights come on whenever the check engine light comes on...fix the engine light and they will go out.
 
Also...when u pull the number 6 plug check it's condition. If it's unusually clean u could have coolant getting in there hence a head gasket issue.
 
I just talked with my car care manager at the dealership and he said in doesn't sound like a head gasket issue because 90% of the time there will be some overheating involved. He mentioned the plugs, coils, and fuel injection and recommended a diagnostic test. I'm waiting to hear back on how much the test will cost there. Going to check the number 6 plug now. I'll keep you posted!
 
When you said you checked the gas cap and it was fine, what did that entail?

I don't ask to challenge, but out of curiosity mainly. Although, it would be nice if you bought a new gas cap and that fixed it (unless by checking the gas cap you mean you already installed a new one?)

Thanks and best of luck diagnosing and fixing the problem.
 
Morals said:
When you said you checked the gas cap and it was fine, what did that entail?

I don't ask to challenge, but out of curiosity mainly. Although, it would be nice if you bought a new gas cap and that fixed it (unless by checking the gas cap you mean you already installed a new one?)

Thanks and best of luck diagnosing and fixing the problem.
Click to expand...

gas cap wont give you a missfire code so you can pretty much rule that out.
 
I changed the sparks plugs myslef and I am now using Denso IKH20. The car runs smooth no rough idle and check engine light is off! The old plugs showed no signs of any other problem except normal wear. Thanksfully it was a cheap and easy fix for me!

Now the only problem I have is that the VSC TRAC and VSC OFF lights are on. I talked with the dealer about doing a Zero Point Calibration to reset the ABS system and he wanted to charge me $99.50 and suggested I still do a diagnostic test for another $99.50. Clearly he's just interested in making money. If there is no problem and the car runs great then why would I pay for a diagnotic test?! I'm looking into resetting the lights myself. Does anyone know how to do that? Thanks!
 
cah283 said:
I changed the sparks plugs myslef and I am now using Denso IKH20. The car runs smooth no rough idle and check engine light is off! The old plugs showed no signs of any other problem except normal wear. Thanksfully it was a cheap and easy fix for me!

Now the only problem I have is that the VSC TRAC and VSC OFF lights are on. I talked with the dealer about doing a Zero Point Calibration to reset the ABS system and he wanted to charge me $99.50 and suggested I still do a diagnostic test for another $99.50. Clearly he's just interested in making money. If there is no problem and the car runs great then why would I pay for a diagnotic test?! I'm looking into resetting the lights myself. Does anyone know how to do that? Thanks!
Click to expand...

suggest a search of amazon for a code tool and tester..



That is such a rip-off cost, cause the tech takes his computer-laptop or whatever, plugs it into the system and seconds later, BINGO!!

Seen it done.

Sort of like you want a new key? That will be $120 for the key and $120 to program it for your car.

:wtf:
Or you can buy the same thing for 50 or less, then program it yourself, by opening and closing the doors and so forth in a certain sequence for the year of your vehicle.
 
cah283 said:
I changed the sparks plugs myslef and I am now using Denso IKH20. The car runs smooth no rough idle and check engine light is off! The old plugs showed no signs of any other problem except normal wear. Thanksfully it was a cheap and easy fix for me!

Now the only problem I have is that the VSC TRAC and VSC OFF lights are on. I talked with the dealer about doing a Zero Point Calibration to reset the ABS system and he wanted to charge me $99.50 and suggested I still do a diagnostic test for another $99.50. Clearly he's just interested in making money. If there is no problem and the car runs great then why would I pay for a diagnotic test?! I'm looking into resetting the lights myself. Does anyone know how to do that? Thanks!
Click to expand...

i would shop around....dealers charge differant prices. my dealership charges $49.99 for a zero point calibration and if there are any codes in the system we'll let ya know about em....no additional charge.

mean machine said:
suggest a search of amazon for a code tool and tester..



That is such a rip-off cost, cause the tech takes his computer-laptop or whatever, plugs it into the system and seconds later, BINGO!!

Seen it done.

Sort of like you want a new key? That will be $120 for the key and $120 to program it for your car.

:wtf:
Or you can buy the same thing for 50 or less, then program it yourself, by opening and closing the doors and so forth in a certain sequence for the year of your vehicle.
Click to expand...

and what do you do for a living?? im sure there are people around that can do your job for half the price or maybe even for free. you like hearing that? dealers have thousands of dollars tied up in equipment...spend thousands of dollars on sending techs to school and they have a ton of overhead. it is what it is. dont bad mouth someone b/c you think they are ripoffs. there are plenty of options for u to get your car fixed, untill of course you run into that stingy repair where everyone else says,"take it to the dealer".
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I found a few tricks online to reset the lights myself. If they don't work then I guess I'll find a dealer with the lowest price and just suck it up!
 
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