Check engine light, slip indicator light & flashing 4 Lo light

[croat5280]

I have an 2011 4Runner Limited with 2000 miles on it. After I filled up with gas today the check engine light & slip indicator light came on and are staying on along with the 4 Lo light flashing (on the dash gauge pod next to the slip indicator light) even though I'm in 4 High. Any ideas on what's wrong? Is it still safe to drive while these lights are coming on?

I have an appointment with my local Toyota dealer on Monday but don't know what to do in the mean time. Suggestions? Anyone else have these problems? The only thing that I have done differently than usual is fill up with 91 octane gas at Costco. Otherwise I haven't done anything different. Very strange. This is my second 4Runner (I had an '03 previously) and this is a first for me. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

 

[iDRiVaT4R]

First check to make sure the gas cap is on all the way.

 

[adio3x]

I used to get the 4wd light on when I was just in 2hi, it would stay on for days and than just turn off. Now my slip light turns on randomly, stays on for days and now its off. I took it into the dealers, but ofcourse on that day none of the lights were on, they ran a diagnostics and nothing was wrong.

 

[croat5280]

Just got back from the dealer

Hey just wanted to post an update....took my ride to the dealer earlier today and they checked the error code (P0553 came up). Turns out my power steering pressure switch shorted out and needs to be replaced. That's what caused the check engine light, slip indicator light and flashing 4 Lo light to go on. New switch will be in in a few days. Dealer said that I don't have to worry about driving around until they replace the switch. Of course it's covered by the warranty so that's good.....another trip to the dealer this week sucks though. Oh well at least it will be all taken care of and back to normal in a few days.

 

[lastcall18]

Out of the blue today my slip light came on... then the check engine light starts to flash and the 4R started running real rough.. I limped it to the dealer
at 4pm.. After reading the code they said one of my coils went bad. It only has 9k miles on it... so..they gave me a rental and said they'd call in the morning when the get the part.

 

[croat5280]

Took the 4R in on Monday and had the power steering pressure switch changed out. So far no issues. Everything is back to normal and glad to have it all fixed. Time to head to the mountains and enjoy some snow!

 

[CLI1]

Looking for a 4R I went to test one two days ago. Pretty similar thing happened, while I was visually checking the car. The engine was running idle when out of the blue the check engine light, the slip indicator and the 4Lo light came on and stayed on.
Must have engaged the 4Lo, because when the sales guy drove it only move slowly. He will take it to Toyota to have it fixed under warranty, but I am little cautious now, if this maybe a systemic weakness. Hence my question:
croat5280, did the new power steering switch fix the problem permanently for you?
Thanks for your help!

 

[GR8BAY]

4 Lo light flashing

Have a 2011 Ltd. with 31,000 miles. Have had the following problems:

1st incident - 4 Lo flashing /Check engine/slip dashboard lights activated while driving car out of driveway - took it to dealer (lights still on) dealer found nothing wrong and reset computer so lights turned off. Said no harm would be done by driving vehicle with the warning lights on.

2nd incident- about 2 weeks later - 4-Lo began flashing after I started car to back out of driveway. I attempted to put vehicle in 4-Lo - it would not engage. A couple days later I took car to dealer but at some point light stopped flashing and dealer could not locate code that had activated it. Told me if it happened again to bring it in while light was flashing

3rd incident - one week ago - 4 Lo started flashing after I started car - on a 60 mile trip light continued to flash and car would not shift into 5th on highway. When I got to destination light went out when I backed into parking space. On return trip everything was fine and car shifted into 5th.

Anyone run into this? I plan on driving directly to dealer when the situation reoccurs, as it's apparent that this problem will not cure itself.

 

[K O]

Before even taking it to the stealership, take it to an auto parts store that offers free code readings. They can tell you exactly what system is reporting an error. I recently had a similar issue - dash lit up like a Christmas tree, but the car was driving fine.

Since it was late Sunday and the dealership was closed, I swung by the auto store and they told me it was the MAF sensor throwing the error. I took a peak under the hood to see if there was something obvious wrong with the MAF sensor, and sure enough the entire air intake system was ripped wide open from a torn coupler. The guy at the store even put it back together for me and the light turned off.

Although not every problem is simple, it's often easier to diagnose the problem yourself so that you can either solve it or at least go to the stealership armed with knowledge than sit at the stealership for 4 hours while some high school dropout tries to figure it out, damaging other things with their carelessness, and with the possibility of getting gouged on a repair that's either out of warranty or not covered.

 

[GR8BAY]

Thanks for your suggestion. Once I get this resolved I'll post the results as other forum members may experience the same problem. Fortunately I got extended warrantee and my dealership has documented the problem and their inability to fix it.

 

[1000MPH]

I can't believe these incidents occur and no codes are saved. Are the dealers just too lazy to check the code history?
Another good reason to get your own copy of Techstream.

I guess there are different levels of failsafe the car goes into. The mildest is just the multiple lights, next is reduced power and no fifth gear? and the most severe (besides not starting) we've heard about is limping along as if in first gear or 4L. I think that one was throttle body issues.

The first thing to try when any of these things happen is to turn off the truck completely, cross your fingers, and start it again.

 

[badhabits]

Carry a Scanguage with you it can read the codes, and is useful in providing information while driving.

Amazon.com: ScanGauge II Ultra Compact 3-in-1 Automotive Computer with Customizable Real-Time Fuel Economy Digital Gauges: Automotive

 

[GR8BAY]

4-Lo Flashing Light Linked to Position of Gear Shift Lever

Since my last comments, car has had 3 more episodes (in less than 100 miles) of dash lights flashing and no 5th gear - either just the 4 Lo flashes or the 4-Lo flashes plus skid, and check engine light all activated. Turning off engine didn't help. Anyway, yesterday, within 1/2 mile of starting car, had above 3 warning lights come on. This morning I started up 4-Runner (lights still on) and drove directly to Toyota of Portsmouth. Left the car running in the service bay and a mechanic got right on it. About 45 minutes later the mechanic advised that the situation was corrected. He said he discovered dust/debris in gear shift lever mechanism. Although only a modest amount, he said the debris was sufficient to slightly change position of shift lever when Drive was engaged. Since the shift lever wasn't properly positioned in Drive, the computer sensed a problem which activated the dash lights. He cleaned up/lubricated the problem area and advised the situation is now corrected. Have only driven from dealership to residence and so far everything works properly. I suspect other 5th Generation 4-Runner owners may experience this same problem due to apparent sensitivity of gear shift positioning.

 

[1000MPH]

Since my last comments, car has had 3 more episodes (in less than 100 miles) of dash lights flashing and no 5th gear - either just the 4 Lo flashes or the 4-Lo flashes plus skid, and check engine light all activated. Turning off engine didn't help. Anyway, yesterday, within 1/2 mile of starting car, had above 3 warning lights come on. This morning I started up 4-Runner (lights still on) and drove directly to Toyota of Portsmouth. Left the car running in the service bay and a mechanic got right on it. About 45 minutes later the mechanic advised that the situation was corrected. He said he discovered dust/debris in gear shift lever mechanism. Although only a modest amount, he said the debris was sufficient to slightly change position of shift lever when Drive was engaged. Since the shift lever wasn't properly positioned in Drive, the computer sensed a problem which activated the dash lights. He cleaned up/lubricated the problem area and advised the situation is now corrected. Have only driven from dealership to residence and so far everything works properly. I suspect other 5th Generation 4-Runner owners may experience this same problem due to apparent sensitivity of gear shift positioning.

Thanks for the update. I'm really surprised that these episodes were not stored in the ecu.

 

[rjfowler]

Since my last comments, car has had 3 more episodes (in less than 100 miles) of dash lights flashing and no 5th gear - either just the 4 Lo flashes or the 4-Lo flashes plus skid, and check engine light all activated. Turning off engine didn't help. Anyway, yesterday, within 1/2 mile of starting car, had above 3 warning lights come on. This morning I started up 4-Runner (lights still on) and drove directly to Toyota of Portsmouth. Left the car running in the service bay and a mechanic got right on it. About 45 minutes later the mechanic advised that the situation was corrected. He said he discovered dust/debris in gear shift lever mechanism. Although only a modest amount, he said the debris was sufficient to slightly change position of shift lever when Drive was engaged. Since the shift lever wasn't properly positioned in Drive, the computer sensed a problem which activated the dash lights. He cleaned up/lubricated the problem area and advised the situation is now corrected. Have only driven from dealership to residence and so far everything works properly. I suspect other 5th Generation 4-Runner owners may experience this same problem due to apparent sensitivity of gear shift positioning.

Have you had this problem since? My 2010 LE has been doing this off and on lately with increasing frequency. I've taken it to a dealer 3 different times and they have cleared the codes (which are completely unrelated what seems to be the problem) and then it repeats some time later. I have noticed that when the lights are on (or going to come on), the gear shift lever becomes more difficult to move (there is some resistance to it). It is strange as hell.

I'm taking it to the dealership tomorrow and going to ask them to look at the gear shift mechanism.

 

[GR8BAY]

Defective Neutral Safety Switch

Just had another problem (flashing 4-Lo, check engine, traction control) at 49,100 miles. Dealer identified it as a defective "neutral safety switch". Repair - parts and labor totaled $323.52. Had purchased the Toyota Extra Care extended warranty so I paid the $50 deductible. Mechanic said this is the 2nd time he's encountered a defective neutral safety switch in the 4Runner. (Switch cost $264.12.)

 

[weblet]

I've been having the very same issues with my 2010 4Runner Limited. Once every week or other week i get the Engine, Hi/Lo, and Slip Dif lights Blinking. Typically those coincide with a very stiff gear shifter/selector. Additionally once a month or so if the shifting is very difficult it won't go into gear easily, and has jumped out of gear. If i turn off the car and restart it - the issue will eventually go away. I've brought the 4Runner to my local dealership and they've just cleared the codes, and haven't offered much of a solution.

The last code was P0705 Transmission Range Sensor Circuit PRNDL Input. The tech said it was tripped for a second or so, then went away. Years ago i damaged my trailer hitch electrical connector, i think it was shorted out. Could this be related? Any advice would be helpful.

 

[scanny]

The last code was P0705 Transmission Range Sensor Circuit PRNDL Input. The tech said it was tripped for a second or so, then went away. Years ago i damaged my trailer hitch electrical connector, i think it was shorted out. Could this be related? Any advice would be helpful.

I got the same issue P0705 and since then I noticed a few other 2010 4Runners had it. So I think that part life for some/all 2010 4Runners, or for some geographical locations is about 7 - 8 years, I don't think it's connected with your electrical issue. Here's my issue http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/217680-first-issue-my-truck-any-ideas-whats-wrong.html and on last page there's a report of a fellow T4R member of how to replace the sensor.

 

[Bossman]

I recently ran into this very same issue on my 2011 Limited with 169,000 km.

Three dash warning lights activated while driving - the Check Engine light was on; the Slip Indicator light was on; and the 4-LO Lowspeed 4WD Indicator was flashing.

Using my OBD II Code Reader, the Error Code P0705 - Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction (PRNDL Input) came up.

I can't say for certain that I truly noticed that moving the gear shifter was becoming all that difficult over time.

Based on my research, I anticipated that the A/T Gear Position Sensor aka the Neutral Safety Switch (NSS) Assembly had failed.

Toyota Canada Part number for the NSS is 84540-35060.

My independent mechanic confirmed the switch failure, and after waiting several days for the local Toyota dealership to get this part in, the old switch was removed (not easily removed due to the corrosion) and the new switch was installed.

My mechanic showed me the inside of the old switch, and the internal corrosion that was on the internal contacts.

The new switch cost $263.00 CAN.

With the new switch, moving the gear shifter does seem a bit smoother

 

[tonytoshiba]

2012 4 runner trail
Ran fine yesterday, got in today and erratic mis-firing, random dash lights on, 4lo, asc, chk engine.
Shut down.
Got lazy and I did not check codes. I pulled the negative post and went to work inside.
Four hours later I reconnected negative post.
Surprisingly the alarm did not activate.
Fired that baby up and took a drive around our mountain.
Everything fine, engine run system reset.
Sorry I got lazy and didn't find error code first.

edit; I have just under 248k miles on it. Many 4wd hi & lo