check engine & VCS Off light blinking

[lonkelm]

I'm a new owner to a 2008 SR5 4x4.
Today on my way to work, right after starting as I put it in drive, the check engine light came on, the traction control light is solid on and the VCS off light is blinking.

Where do I start?
How do I read codes on Toyota's?

Is it ok to drive home?

 

[aha2988]

the most common cause I've seen is the gas cap not venting properly or not being tight enough. A dirty throttle body can cause the issue as well something about the throttle body control motor having to use to much amperage to open the valve due to gunk build up.

the code scanners at the auto parts store will most of the time erase your zero points in the yaw and decent control system.

Those lights come on any time the check engine light comes on for any code. you could possibly just need to reset your zero points (search the forum for zero point calibration) or it may just be a loose gas cap once tightened and driven for a bit they will clear up.

 

[sportyota]

I had the same issue with my 08 sport about a year ago. I took it in to a mechanic and can't remember everything he said but I thought he said something about the gas. He said it has nothing to do with the front of the car, just the back side where the gas is. I searched on forums and googled a ton and a lot of people said to change the gas cap so I bought an oem gas cap and that didn't solve it. I ended up taking it to my dads friend who works for Toyota and they fixed it. I think they said it was like an $800 fix or part but no more light or blinking lights

 

[sportyota]

My mechanic in eastern montana said it was still ok to drive so my dad drove it from eastern Montana to Seattle with those lights on and got it fixed. I would recommend keeping the drive a smidgin shorter than that if you take it anywhere to get it fixed. =)

 

[hearno]

Where do I start?

Owner's manual.

 

[lonkelm]

just gassed up last night. Will try cap. oh my if that's the case!!

 

[lonkelm]

not the gas cap.

Owners manual says take to dealer. I really hope I don't have to do that.

 

[EdmundGTP]

As was already mentioned....

Go to autozone, advance auto, pepboys, etc. etc. wherever

Get an OBDII scan and get the error code that's causing your light..

Come back here and post the code and folks here will be able to provide more guidance..


Typically:

Solid lit check engine light = get some place to have your car scanned and diagnosed at your next opportunity

Blinking Check engine light = Stop driving the vehicle immediately and have it towed someplace..

 

[chaz]

don't take this the wrong way but theres dozens of threads on this, a quick read thru some might be a good idea before taking it to the dealer.

 

[zopperman]

I'm a new owner to a 2008 SR5 4x4.
Today on my way to work, right after starting as I put it in drive, the check engine light came on, the traction control light is solid on and the VCS off light is blinking.

Where do I start?
How do I read codes on Toyota's?

Is it ok to drive home?

where in PA are you? I can scan it for you if you can't drive it and are local.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I'm a new owner to a 2008 SR5 4x4.
Today on my way to work, right after starting as I put it in drive, the check engine light came on, the traction control light is solid on and the VCS off light is blinking.

Where do I start?
How do I read codes on Toyota's?

Is it ok to drive home?

First off, people need to STOP defaulting to "its the gas cap" without understanding what is happening, its perpetuating misinformation. I'm not trying to be rude or put down fellow members; but I see almost EVERY thread on an MIL have that answer thrown up at least a few times.

When the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light, also known as a "Check Engine Light") is turned on on our vehicles, the TRAC and VSC lights will always be on if there is an OBD-II DTC stored in the vehicle. This means a DTC that directly or indirectly affects emissions as decided by SAE and government standards.

If the TRAC and VSC lights are on, but the MIL is NOT on; it CANNOT be a OBD-II related code (i.e. a gas cap) and is most likely related to the ABS/TRAC/VSC systems.

If the MIL is BLINKING, it indicates a Catalyst Damaging Misfire and the vehicle should not be operated until this issue is fixed as damage to the converters may be caused.

~

That being said, in this case, going by what the OP is stating there are a couple factors to take into account.

-The MIL is on solid, this indicates an OBD-II DTC stored in the system (it COULD be a gas cap, it could be anything else)
-The VSC light is blinking, this indicates an occuring fault in the system and should be checked out

The OP should try to get the vehicle to an Auto-Parts store and see if their scanner is capable of pulling BOTH OBD-II DTCs and the ABS/TRAC/VSC codes stored in the vehicle. IF It can't pull those codes then the vehicle should be taken to an independent shop or dealer who has the capable tools.

Again I apologize if I stepped on anyone's toes; but its ridiculous to see EVERY thread EVER made for a MIL on condition to automatically be filled with a dozen "its the gas cap" cut and paste answers. Its not just on this forum, its almost every single forum I look at that has this problem. Maybe I need to make a thread explaining how the check engine light works?

 

[Atlanta_man]

Nothing to get exercised about on a forum really
Many folks post something even if they are just guessing
The good stuff rises to the top eventually

 

[lonkelm]

Well, I agree it makes no sense the VSC light is on and it would be emissions related.

Today I bought a new gas cap and installed. I then cleared the codes by disconnecting the battery. I then connected and started the truck and had no codes.

Time will tell if it holds.

 

[kstewguitar]

I had the same issue with my 08 sport about a year ago. I took it in to a mechanic and can't remember everything he said but I thought he said something about the gas. He said it has nothing to do with the front of the car, just the back side where the gas is. I searched on forums and googled a ton and a lot of people said to change the gas cap so I bought an oem gas cap and that didn't solve it. I ended up taking it to my dads friend who works for Toyota and they fixed it. I think they said it was like an $800 fix or part but no more light or blinking lights

I've got an 06 4Runner that had the check engine, vsc trac and traction lights come on 2 days ago, and literally just today, I had Firestone run a diagnostic on my truck, and came to find that they said something similar; as in the fuel valve vent is leaking vapor or something, and there isn't just a replacement valve, the entire thing needs to be replaced, and it would be $874 to fix... I've tried resetting with the terminals and doing 0 point calibration, as well as futzing with the gas cap, but to no avail. I may have to bit the bullet on this one.

 

[AuSeeker]

I've got an 06 4Runner that had the check engine, vsc trac and traction lights come on 2 days ago, and literally just today, I had Firestone run a diagnostic on my truck, and came to find that they said something similar; as in the fuel valve vent is leaking vapor or something, and there isn't just a replacement valve, the entire thing needs to be replaced, and it would be $874 to fix... I've tried resetting with the terminals and doing 0 point calibration, as well as futzing with the gas cap, but to no avail. I may have to bit the bullet on this one.

You said... "as well as futzing with the gas cap"...what exactly did you do with the gas cap??

"futzing" is not enough info for us!

 

[kstewguitar]

You said... "as well as futzing with the gas cap"...what exactly did you do with the gas cap??

"futzing" is not enough info for us!

I've replaced it since this post. Still having the problem. When I said "futzing", I just meant messing with it to make sure it was tight. I've bought an error code reader and when the lights come back on, I get errors PO441 and 455.

I did use old gas on it before this started happening, and I'm certain that is the culprit. I've since added fuel stabilizers to my 2 most recent fill ups, and used the high octane performance gas, hoping that would clear any gunk left by the old gas.

But I'm still getting the VSC trac and slip lights on. I'm thinking I'm going to have to bite the bullet and sink some cheddar into the EVAP cannister, unless a zero point calibration could fix it...

 

[kstewguitar]

quick update: I've since taken my 4runner into the Toyota dealership; they found a valve disconnected which was setting off the VSC Trac and Slip lights, and creating a leak in the EVAP system. Reattached and reset the system, no lights on, car drives beautifully now. It cost me their pricey diagnostic fee, but that is WAY better than what Firestone said about replacing the entire cannister for $900. Praise God!

 

[Juice88]

So today I noticed the same thing on my 2008 V8 Sport. The MAINT light has been on because I am due for an oil change, but now the VSC OFF light is blinking, the TRAC light beneath it is on, and the check engine light is on.

I tightened the gas cap, but nothing changed. I bought the extended warranty from the dealership back in October, so I'm hoping whatever is diagnosed will be covered....
Maybe I'll try the Zero Point Calibration before? But again, still need that oil change anyway.

 

[y=mx+b]

So today I noticed the same thing on my 2008 V8 Sport. The MAINT light has been on because I am due for an oil change, but now the VSC OFF light is blinking, the TRAC light beneath it is on, and the check engine light is on.

I tightened the gas cap, but nothing changed. I bought the extended warranty from the dealership back in October, so I'm hoping whatever is diagnosed will be covered....
Maybe I'll try the Zero Point Calibration before? But again, still need that oil change anyway.

The first thing to do when you get the CEL is to scan the codes. It could be anything from a gas cap to torque converter clutching solenoid, but you never know until the code is scanned. You can buy OBDII scanners to read the code on your own, or you could go to any major auto parts store and they will scan for free.

 

[Juice88]

The first thing to do when you get the CEL is to scan the codes. It could be anything from a gas cap to torque converter clutching solenoid, but you never know until the code is scanned. You can buy OBDII scanners to read the code on your own, or you could go to any major auto parts store and they will scan for free.

Cool thanks. I'll bring it to AutoZone either tonight or tomorrow. I didn't realize they'll scan the codes for free. Do I receive a report with the results?