Check Engine, TRAC, AND/OR VSC On? Read Me!

[cnl390]

Thanks. In the past couple weeks the MIL, TRAC, and VSC lights have come on a few times and I have reset them using a cheap bluetooth scan tool and Torque Pro. The lights have come on in the past and after resetting it would be weeks or months before they would come on again.

What scan info do I need to determine if it is a bad O2 sensor or a bad cat?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Added a small section to address "Pending" DTCs and how they function to the first post.

Another type of DTC category you may see is "Pending", a Pending DTC is part of the "Two-Trip Logic" that OBDII dictates and some other modules use as well. Two Trip Logic means that the problem has to occur twice before the vehicle will set a "Current" DTC and turn on the MIL, a "Pending" DTC means that it has only happened once and the vehicle will not set an MIL on condition until it trips a second time and the DTC matures to a Current DTC (for example a P0420 or P0430 "Current" DTC means that the ECM ran the catalytic converter tests at two different times and returned two failure results, where as a Pending P0420 and/or P0430 means that the ECM ran the test and got a failure once and is waiting to see if it happens again before it sets the MIL and matures it to a Current DTC). Some modules such as SRS and ABS/VSC/TRAC do not use Two Trip Logic and will instead set a warning lamp on the first sign of an issue, these systems are "Single Trip Logic".

 

[flash23]

Is there any way these lights could be connected to a wheel bearing needing replaced? I have an 06 that has a weird noise that, to me, sounds like it's coming from the rear. I took it to a shop and he said that the breaks didn't have an anti rattle clip, but the noise then went from a squeak more to a grind or something, like something needs lubed? I don't know. You can only hear it going slow, like 5-10 mph.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Only if the wheel bearing failure somehow damaged the ABS sensor (very rare occurrence with how ours are set-up.)

 

[flash23]

Thanks for the quick response. My cousin in law seems to think that the noise/lights are relating to my front driver wheel bearing, but I've never heard anything while driving to indicate that I gave one going bad. I was always under the impression that a bad one makes a roaring sound when you're driving.

 

[bergs]

:suspicious:

Your cousin might want to consider not giving out automotive advice.

 

[Slowgoat]

[MENTION=66389]BlackWorksInc[/MENTION]

We are lucky to have you here with us at the forum! Great info, and thanks! :trophy:

 

[Stunna1019]

I replaced gas cap, did zero point calibration and replaced o2 sensors and my VSC, TRAC and CEL lights are still on? Im not sure what else to do and how to get the lights off and stay off.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Added a note to the "MIL OFF, TRAC ON, VSC ON" section about '03~'04 4Runners having the odd quirk of losing their ZPC memory from low battery voltage and occasionally from clearing DTCs. Realized I had forgotten to add this long ago when I was talking to a member about this very issue, still need to find a good "how to do ZPC" thread to link.

 

[Elan750]

THis is a must read for people having emission related check engine lights:

http://www.autoserviceprofessional.com/article/91493/be-a-toyota-leak-detective

 

[Pompton4RUN]

Definitely check the gas cap first....

Noticed on my '05 4RUN this morning the MIL /CEL + VSC / TRAC lights all came on. Read through this post and checked the gas cap remembering I'd gotten a full tank yesterday. Sure enough, gas cap wasn't close to being secured tightly.

After clicking shut the gas cap, disco'd the battery terminals, started up and cleared the error codes.

Over here in NJ we still have full service gas stations manned by barely functioning attendants not paying attention while they are making calls out to the middle east.

Anyway...great thread, like most of the threads on this forum & much appreciated.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Updated the original post with a second "Helpful Hint" detailing how to physically test the gas cap's tension, there's a TSB that details gas caps failing prematurely for DTCs P0441 & P0455, and/or P0456. I hesitated to include it into the original post at first because I didn't want to have people confuse me with saying to replace the gas cap (like everyone always seems to think is always the issue). But the testing method is a good one and should help people out who are suspecting a gas cap failure.

 

[expatoz]

What do you recommend when there is no CEL but the other two are lit up (VSC Trac and VSC Off)

I have replaced the two ABS lines and the sensors on front hubs (Free)
Gas cap
Oxygen sensors
Inspected rear ABS lines and sensors and no visual issues
ZPC multiple times

Thx Bro.

 

[Buckaroo93]

^^^ What expatoz said...almost.

2003 4Runner Limited V8 4WD
VSC TRAC and VSC OFF lights stay on. No CEL or ABS lights.
Suggestions?
I have used a specific set of instructions for the 2003 4runner put out by Toyota in Dec 2003 called DTC C1203 - BR005-03. I followed them exactly but no luck. I get partway through the instructions (step #7) and the lights don't do what they are supposed to (VSC TRAC light does NOT go off after 15 seconds after ignition switch is turned on) so I stop. Don't want to mess anything up. BTW, like I originally posted, NO check engine light or ABS light on.

 

[03v8raleigh]

^^^
I have same truck with same lights on. I haven't tried to fix it yet because I wanted the traction control off so I could play in the snow anyways lol. Is there any important reason to get these systems working again..? We aren't doing any damage by driving them as is, correct? The third gens didn't even have these systems so I felt like I wasn't missing out on much

 

[Brian3676]

I had mine come on a few months ago but no engine CEL, just the other lights. It was my brake switch. $20 and been good ever since. If you have a full scanner with abs capability it will show it. .

 

[Buckaroo93]

I don't have a scanner as of yet. Maybe I should change the $20 brake switch first before I spend the $100 for a scanner?

 

[scotty305]

My preferred alternative to an OBD scanner is a cheap OBD-to-bluetooth adapter (about $20-30 on Amazon), and the Torque app for an Android phone (free version available, paid version is about $5-10).

I don't think this will let you see info about the ABS/TRAC/VSC systems, but it will let you scan OBD codes for the engine, reset OBD codes, and view live OBD engine data from your phone.

Does anyone have a recommendation for an inexpensive scanner that will show ABS/TRAC/VSC info?

 

[K_Labs]

My bluepoint scanner shows abs codes. Idk what you consider inexpensive but it's $180. I did notice if u clear codes zero point calibration is required after.

https://store.snapon.com/OBDII-Scan-Tools-Code-Reader-CarScan-reg-Diagnostic-P744402.aspx

Zero point video I used that worked.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=55XmiSsGQgo

 

[Buckaroo93]

I found this on Amazon for $94.99. Ya'll can look it up. Thoughts?

Innova 3040c Diagnostic Code Reader / Scan Tool with ABS for OBD2 Vehicles