CEL, VSC TRAC & VSC OFF all on. Just had codes read.

[Jeff T]

Tool old faithful, 237k, over to AutoZone to have the codes read.

1) P0430 - From what I've read/searched this is most likely the O2 sensors. I've never had anything in the emission or exhaust system replaced.

2) C1201, C1223 & C1241 - The clerk said these were ABS codes and I haven't researched them yet. Any thoughts?

3) AZ would not reset the codes to turn the lights off. If I remember correctly disconnecting the battery for ten minutes will reset them??

Thanks for the help!!

 

[Xenogen]

Good luck,

I had these same codes last week minus a c1249. Ended up being a brake switch after checking all the speed sensors and wiring. P0430 was a catalytic converter after running tests on the O2 sensors. Got on OEM cat because my shop didn't recommend aftermarket as did the forum. Paid $2185 for parts and labor. My runner has 114000 miles.

 

[Xenogen]

Its only been 600 miles since I changed the cat...when I cleared the codes before they didn't com back on for 900 miles...so I hope they don't back

 

[Jeff T]

Stopped at the dealer today, they were too busy to get me in. Service writer told me the following:

1) There are 4 O2 sensors on my truck.

2) Even with my mileage it's probably not the gas cap

3) Driving with a bad sensor/sensors really doesn't hurt anything

4) Their machine will take almost an hour to run the diagnostics

Sound about right?? The lights are starting to drive me nuts.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

~There are 2 AFR (Air Fuel Ratio) Sensors in the front and two Oxygen Sensors in the rear; its a small distinction but will help you from buying 4 O2 sensors by accident and wondering why the front 2 don't work.

~The gas cap is not the cause of the P0430, if your interested I explained a little about Gas Cap codes in this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/151487-check-engine-trac-vsc-read-me.html

~It can affect engine performance and fuel mileage to a degree, but unless the sensors become exagerated then it will probably only induce damage (over a long period of time if only mildly out of spec) to the catalytic converters more than anything.

~Generally for shops accross the board 1hr is "Diagnostic Time" sometimes we finish it in 10minutes, sometimes it takes a couple hours and we need additional time.

 

[Jeff T]

Took my 4R to a Toyota dealer in BG, KY today. They ran the diagnostic and replaced the gas cap.

We'll see what happens...

 

[NinjaOne]

Took my 4R to a Toyota dealer in BG, KY today. They ran the diagnostic and replaced the gas cap.

We'll see what happens...

That fix everything it or did it end up being something else?

 

[EdmundGTP]

EDIT: Totally missed that this was a thread from the dead!

Gas cap is not going to fix ABS codes, and it's not going to fix an error code related to the catalytic system. A gas cap will only fix codes related to emission control system minor leak codes. P0465 I wanna say?

C1223 Is a general ABS system failure code
C1201 is a general engine control system malfunction code.

C1241 is low battery voltage code

C1241 may be the key to solving your problem. A failing battery, or poor electrical connections can cause a HUGE amount of other seemingly unrelated problems to manifest.

Get your battery tested, check your alternator output. Go from there. That'd be my suggestion anyway..

 

[SoSoRunner]

I got this MIL On, TRAC On, and VSC ON when driving into work today. I dropped the car off at the shop let's see what codes come up when they update me.

 

[NinjaOne]

EDIT: Totally missed that this was a thread from the dead!

Gas cap is not going to fix ABS codes, and it's not going to fix an error code related to the catalytic system. A gas cap will only fix codes related to emission control system minor leak codes. P0465 I wanna say?

C1223 Is a general ABS system failure code
C1201 is a general engine control system malfunction code.

C1241 is low battery voltage code

C1241 may be the key to solving your problem. A failing battery, or poor electrical connections can cause a HUGE amount of other seemingly unrelated problems to manifest.

Get your battery tested, check your alternator output. Go from there. That'd be my suggestion anyway..

Thanks.

Seemed odd that a gas cap would fix an ABS/voltage code. Autozone tested battery and alternator and said they were fine, visually checked ABS fuses (could still be a fuse), guess I'll schedule something with a mechanic.

 

[EdmundGTP]

Thanks.

Seemed odd that a gas cap would fix an ABS/voltage code. Autozone tested battery and alternator and said they were fine, visually checked ABS fuses (could still be a fuse), guess I'll schedule something with a mechanic.

My advice was specific to the list of error codes that the OP provided in the first post.

Unless your list of error codes is the same, my suggestions would probably not be very helpful.

 

[NinjaOne]

My advice was specific to the list of error codes that the OP provided in the first post.

Unless your list of error codes is the same, my suggestions would probably not be very helpful.

Same codes minus P0430, came to a similar conclusion as you based on the codes. I usually don't resurrect old threads, but it was similar enough that I opted to rather than start a new thread

 

[trayscool]

Gas cap on my 2005....happened to me multiple times.

 

[NinjaOne]

Gas cap on my 2005....happened to me multiple times.

Threw an ABS code for the gas cap?

 

[trayscool]

Yes, if I remember correctly it threw the VSC/ABS/TRAC codes. I thought something major happened and thanks to this forum I avoided the dealership and got a $18 gas cap. Problem solved.

 

[EdmundGTP]

Same codes minus P0430, came to a similar conclusion as you based on the codes. I usually don't resurrect old threads, but it was similar enough that I opted to rather than start a new thread

Good deal. Always glad if the information happens to be of any help.

Yes, if I remember correctly it threw the VSC/ABS/TRAC codes. I thought something major happened and thanks to this forum I avoided the dealership and got a $18 gas cap. Problem solved.

Some more information on what trayscool is talking about. If during the start-up sequence, your 4Runner detects a problem with the emissions system (in this case a leaky gas cap) it will issue an emissions related Check Engine Light code. The annoying thing about this is that the emissions startup check process happens prior to the ABS system check process. If an error is detected in the emissions system check, the truck will more or less bypass the ABS system check and give you a general ABS system malfunction code, in addition to the emissions code. Odds are VERY high that in his case he had a Check Engine light on as well.

This is why there are numerous instances of a gas cap fixing what is perceived to be a ABS VSC/TRAC problem. The reality is that the ABS VSC/TRAC error lights are a symptom of the emissions problem, and not indicative of the cause.

So if you have a CEL + all the ABS VSC/TRAC lights illuminated, the cause of your ABS VSC/TRAC lights MAY be the cause of the CEL. Or you may have Engine/emissions issues AND an ABS system problem.

If the only lights which are illuminated are your ABS VSC/TRAC, then the problem is almost always within the ABS system. And in this case the ABS error codes should point you in the right direction of the fix.

 

[SoSoRunner]

Mine was also the gas cap.