Check Engine Light + VSC Lights ON

[Jerold]

My wife came home last night and told me that the check engine light + the VSC Trac + VSC OFF lights were on in the dashboard.

Just want to know if anyone knows what this could be before I call/bring it into the dealership. The manual just says to bring it in w/o and list of possible reasons for the lights going ON.

I'm hoping it's a fuse that needs replacing, since the versatrac hardly ever gets used other than when it's snowing or really wet out. The last time it operated was last week when it rained and I must have taken a turn too fast and that versatrac activataion noise came on. I was actually surprised it activated since it was a sharp right turn on my street and I never speed into that turn. Momentum and wet road must have caused the 4Runner to slip.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Rock Slide]

It's not necessarily your VSC that's the issue. If your check engine light comes on (for what ever the reason), then all the lights come on.

Same thing happened to me a month ago or so on my '02 sport. Was leaving work and 10 miles down the road my dash lit up like a christmas tree. VSC, ABS, Check Engine light...the works. Truck ran fine so, I stopped by a local auto parts store on my way home and got them to pull the code. Well guess what...turns out my gas cap was not screwed on tight enough! :bash:

I had filled the tank up a week or so ago and was down to a quarter of tank when this happened. (Funny it waited 'til then to throw the code.) Anway, I simply tighted my gas cap, restarted my truck and what do you know, the lights had disappeared. Boy did I feel dumb. I like to think I always tighten my gas cap very tight, but now, I always turn it 2-3 more clicks than I did before.

 

[Jerold]

Thanks for the reply.

I talked to my dealer service rep and he said that it lokos like a sensor issue. Depending on the sensor - $200 to $600 part.

I just went out for lunch and tightened up the gas cap till it clicked a bunch of times. Light still on.
It's only the 3 lights that are showing - Check Engine, VSC Trac, VSC Off.

I really like the idea of bringing it to a parts store to get the code.
Is it a parts store like AutoZone or RS Strauss? Or another type or parts store?

 

[JustAnotherT4R]

if its the gas cap you might have to delet the code on some car/truck.

 

[Rock Slide]

Yep, any auto parts store should be able to pull the code for you for free. I went to Advanced Auto since it was on my way home.

Get the code pulled first before having the dealer service it. No point in paying money if you don't have too .

 

[sant6236]

Here you are:

Whenever the check engine light comes on, it iwll automatically thro the VSC TRac and the VCS Off light on as well. This is standard. Most of the time all three lights have nothing to do with the VSC.

In fact, I have had this happen twice.

1) Ignition coil went out
2) air flow ratio sensor went out

Yes, bring your Runner into the local Shucks, Auto Zone, etc to get a code pulled for free. Dealer will cahrge $32 -$65 for this service, that being as to whether they cahrge 1/2 hour to 1 ohur labor for the diagnostic. Really, it takes them 3 minutes.

Depending on what the OBDII reader (Your system scanner that your local autozone, etc will use) this bring up a code that you can either have them print out for you and diagnose or you can diagnose the code they give you on then net. Your choice.

Also, if the code is faulty and it was your VSC that flipped the lights on accidentally, you can always reset your computer by unpluggin the neg battery terminal for 15 minutes and taking the EFI fuse out with it. This will reset the ECU. When this happens, if the Runner truly does have a problem it will throw the code again or it will simply disappear for good, because it was a fauly code.

 

[Jerold]

Thanks for ALL the great advice.

Gonna stop by the local shop on my way home.

Can you tell me where that EFI fuse is located? The manual doesn't give any info that's useful.

 

[sant6236]

It is the 15amp small fuse for the EFI under the hood.

Remember, your Runner might sound a tad shaky at first, but this is just the ECU trying to relearn the air to fuel ratio mixture.

No worries, it will smooth out in no time.

Should be interesting if the lighs pop on again or if it completely resets it and they dont appear again.

Let us know. Give it 15 minutes with neg term off and EFI fuse pulled.

 

[Jerold]

Thanks Sant6236.

$65/hr...my dealership charges $98.50/hr and they don't call it labor cost. They refer to it as a tech fee.

I'm also researching prices for my power antenna issue. I asked about worst case scenario (replaceing the entire power antenna motor assembly) and they are charging $300 for the motor alone add labor and tax on top of that.

Called up my favorite parts place (toyotaparts4u) and the Entire motor assembly (with the antenna mast) is $142.

Heading out to autozone now... I'll post my results later.

 

[Jerold]

so here it is. Printout from the OBDII

DTC (Codes)
P0446
EVAP Emission
Control System
Vent Circuit Malf

Was kinda hoping it would be just a reset.

Should I try resetting it or does the printout inidcates that I'll gonna be spending some cash this weekend at the dealership?

 

[sant6236]

It could be many things, a loose gas cap, vacuum line off of fuel tank or evaporative charcoal canister, bad evaporative vent solenoid or wires to it.

There is a special procedure for this code that may require putting the Evaporative Emissions System under pressure with nitrogen.

Not something you can do in the backyard. If you pump oxygen into the tank you are creating a potential bomb waiting to happen!!

I would suggest you look at all hoses for anything obvious and if you don't find anything, go to a dealer to have it checked out.

Also, attempt resetting the ECU as well.

 

[Jerold]

ok. I just pulled the EFI 20A fuse fromthe fuse box and disengaged the neg battery terminal.

Just got a question about what is under that fuse cover.
My 2002 4Runner has a fuse box that has a nice little key map on the cover to indicate what each fuse is. The 20A EFI fuse is in the middle section. Along the outer edges in the fuse box, there are larger covered items and one on the bottom also says EFI. It is a black covered "thing" that is about 1" x 1" square. I gave it a little tug, but it didn't move, so I left it alone. I just took out the 20A fuse.

Do I need to do anything with that larger EFI labelled item int he fusebox?

I've got about 10 more minutes before I reattach.
I disengaged the battery then removed the fuse.
I plan on inserting the fuse in and then the battery in that order, unless otherwise advised.


I searched for that code number and apparently it is well documented and a daily occurence at dealership garages.
Everythig from what you've described to problems that result from over filling the the gas tank at the pump.

Just curious... If it was/is a faulty code, would an error code still pop up on the OBDII or would it give a message that nothing is wrong?

 

[sant6236]

Hi there.

The code makes me highly suspicious that there is something wrong with the evap system. This problem could be minisucule, to the tightenning of the cap.

What you are doing with the fuse pulling and resetting is confirming that the ECU is picking up that there is indeed something wrong.

If the ECu keeps throwing the code/chekc engine and VSC, then there is more than likely something wrong.

It wil not keep throwing error or faulty codes over and over. These systems are very sensitive and overly so at times.

You pulled the correct fuse, leave the bigger black one alone.

 

[Jerold]

Just came back in from putting it all together.

When I started the engine, the lights were gone. I let it run for a few minutes and no light came back. I took off the gas cap and tightened it.

I'll take it out for a spin later tonight. I guess that if nothing comes back on tomorrow, I might be in the clear.

 

[sant6236]

Well isnt that interesting.

We shall see.

This is going to prove a point as to whether there is truly something wrong with the evap system.

It really sohuld come on after a couple of starts, but if it doesnt it has been know to reappear within a couple of days to a week. this depends how exhausted this error is.

Like I said, we have extrememly sensitive ECU's that sense these things, and will throw a code with the slightest malfunction.

Should be interesting. Just keep watching.

 

[Jerold]

I just found 2 threads on how to clean the MAF sensor. Might be worth a try.

My wife has an appt. for Sat. at the dealership for an oil change and I asked them to take a look at the check engine light (if it is still on). Now I have to decide if I let them fix anything or try the MAF cleaning before I have them do anything.

Thanks for all you help!

 

[sant6236]

My theory~

Dont fix it if its not broke.

YOu have no clue as to whether this is MAF sensor malfuntion or not.

Taking the MAF sensor on and off and spraying cleaner in it is risky at times and may in itself throw a code.

This sensor too is EXTREMELY sensitive. Although I have performed this operation with success, I highly recommend that these sensors are not tampererd with unless they are the concretely source of the problem.

After saying this, I would probably clean it. HAHAHAHAH

 

[Marti's Dad]

This iswhy i have the 4runner decal on my 2006

Happened yesterday. Another helpful tip from the forum. worked like a charm. Thanks

Here you are:

Whenever the check engine light comes on, it iwll automatically thro the VSC TRac and the VCS Off light on as well. This is standard. Most of the time all three lights have nothing to do with the VSC.

In fact, I have had this happen twice.

1) Ignition coil went out
2) air flow ratio sensor went out

Yes, bring your Runner into the local Shucks, Auto Zone, etc to get a code pulled for free. Dealer will cahrge $32 -$65 for this service, that being as to whether they cahrge 1/2 hour to 1 ohur labor for the diagnostic. Really, it takes them 3 minutes.

Depending on what the OBDII reader (Your system scanner that your local autozone, etc will use) this bring up a code that you can either have them print out for you and diagnose or you can diagnose the code they give you on then net. Your choice.

Also, if the code is faulty and it was your VSC that flipped the lights on accidentally, you can always reset your computer by unpluggin the neg battery terminal for 15 minutes and taking the EFI fuse out with it. This will reset the ECU. When this happens, if the Runner truly does have a problem it will throw the code again or it will simply disappear for good, because it was a fauly code.

 

[BradyBunches]

Not sure if this will trigger the same thing, but on my lexus is350 when the MAF sensor went bad the VSC and check engine lights went on. Whats the code?