DAC won't kick in!

J

Jan777

New member
Hey all,

anyone experienced this:

On my T4R Limited (V8) the DAC (downhill assistant control) won't come on! The light keeps blinking but the system won't start working when going downhill.

I got the truck in 4low and the transy in 2low, but when going downhill the 4Runner would just accelerate until I have to push the break.

I tested it on several steep hills (mud and rocky underground) - the thing won't start. Otherwise all systems work fine.

Any ideas?
 
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4low and 2 gear are supposed to be set for DAC

My question is: who knows what to check first when DAC does not kick in? Is there any calibration? Or reset options of the electronics? Any mechanical parts to be checked?

thanks

(please no 'wild guesses' - I would have not posted here if I was looking for that!)
 
Jan777 said:
My question is: who knows what to check first when DAC does not kick in? Is there any calibration? Or reset options of the electronics? Any mechanical parts to be checked?

thanks

(please no 'wild guesses' - I would have not posted here if I was looking for that!)
Click to expand...

There is 1 Toyota Tech on here. Maybe you should PM that person, not post in an open forum or buy the manual if you don't want 'guesses'. I have the Manual, but not going to take it out!

Oh and use 1rst gear.
 
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ebg18t said:
There is 1 Toyota Tech on here. Maybe you should PM that person, not post in an open forum or buy the manual if you don't want 'guesses'. I have the Manual, but not going to take it out!

Oh and use 1rst gear.
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That's a little harsh eb18gt - "I have a manual, but not going to help you" is an interesting response! Responses from folks that have had the same problem and know of a solution from experience is always more valuable than mere guesses or conjecture.

OP, you should try putting it in first gear as suggested and go from there.
 
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xxaarraa said:
That's a little harsh eb18gt - "I have a manual, but not going to help you" is an interesting response! Responses from folks that have had the same problem and know of a solution from experience is always more valuable than mere guesses or conjecture.

OP, you should try putting it in first gear as suggested and go from there.
Click to expand...

I admit, it was a rude response. I do apologize for that. I should have phrased it differently. My manual is 400+ miles away, so i can't look in it would have been a more appropriate answer. Especially given the holidays. :peace:

Unfortunately a lot of diagnosing a vehicle issues are calculated guesses. He needs to PM a Toyota Tech or look at the owners manual if he doesn't want any guesses or speculation. The VSC system in 4runner is different than the Highlander where it can be used in multiple gears if i recall properly.

I used it once in CO and it make a lot of quirky noises (ABS) what were unnerving.
 
When I use mine the light stays solid. If the light continues to blink something must be preventing it from turning the DAC system on. Pretty sure the light has to be solid order for it to engage. Good luck.
 
???

Hmm, the V8 comes only with automatic tranny, so 2 & 4low is required for DAC.

Really no one out there who did some work on the DAC?

I am in Europe, where this truck is not sold and so there are no ToyTechs who are familiar with it! Instead of paying expensive hours of the mechanic to educate himself, I rather check it myself!

DAC is a kind of extra anyhow, but since I got it, I would like it to work!
 
Iv`e used my DAC once and that was when I went 4x4`ing . It only worked for me when I was in 4LO and first gear. I don`t like how the system works at all. Takes away from control of your braking. I do have an `04 Sport V6 so it might be different , i`m not sure. But try that !

Merry Christmas !
 
I have used mine in 4lo in 2nd gear but if it still is going to fast I put it in 1. If you are going to fast and hit the button it may not engage. Try stopping in 4lo in 1 or 2 and then hit the button while aimed down a steep hill. Do not hit the gas as this messes it up. Once it starts going to fast you will hear all kinds of clicking and clanking from the abs system. If I want to go a little faster than the system is letting me in 1 shift to 2 to get a little more speed.
 
I only used mine about three times and all I need to do is put it in 4 lo. In this video, I had the trans in 4 and 4 lo and it worked just fine. The key is that if you're going to use it, then use it! Meaning trust the system. Take your foot away from the gas and brake pedals and let it do its thing. Most people, myself included, don't prefer to trust it, and so the system probably isn't used much. The noises it makes is definitely not something you would expect from a fully functional and properly working system.

 
Jan777 said:
Hmm, the V8 comes only with automatic tranny, so 2 & 4low is required for DAC.

Really no one out there who did some work on the DAC?

I am in Europe, where this truck is not sold and so there are no ToyTechs who are familiar with it! Instead of paying expensive hours of the mechanic to educate himself, I rather check it myself!

DAC is a kind of extra anyhow, but since I got it, I would like it to work!
Click to expand...

on my DAC I use it about 2-3 times a week during hard 4 wheeling along with my e-locker and 4wheel drive when I go rock crawling, I engage my electronics by putting my rig in N with the ebrake on, I then engage into 4-lo the light blinks 3-4 times then engages and turns solid. I then engage my e-locker same thing then click on my DAC because I tend to do a lot of UP a steep hill of rocks and then right down a steep rock hill, when I crawl and have it engaged I am always in N after engaging 4 low I then off road in 1st gear only, sounds like your problem to me is your not in the correct gear for you DAC to engage. I see a lot of my friends that have the 120 platform and elockers go from 4lo to 4hi then try and disengage the e locker and it won't disengage because the sequence is not done correctly. try this method and get back to us. I know the DAC is just as finicky as the DAC. Hope this helps took me a few days to figure out my elocker dac / 4lo engagement. The DAC is amazing when crawling saved me a time or too when my foot slipped off the brake when checking my line head out the window on the rubicon....they should put them in jeeps someone I know drove off the rubicon and died because there foot slipped off the break on a steep hill of rocks
 
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I'm not sure if the DAC system is the same for the V8 4Runner vs the GX (im assuming it is) but you might have a faulty Transfer Indicator L4 Switch. That will cause the DAC light to blink but not engage.

Also in the GX you don't need to be in 1st gear for it to work, it'll work in any gear, you just need to be in L4.
 
Just as FJ4 stated, is more of the correct way it will engage. Myself, even having the V-6, still has to engage in the same manor. Have it in 4lo, 4x4 mode at a stop, push your button and it should engage, and it can run in any gear as long as your in 4 low. It was designed for down hills on ice and keeps you in a controlled situation for traction.

My last run on the lower Fordyce, I used the DAC system and it is a life savor in controlling on rocky trails on a down hill. The lack of you needing to use your brakes and being able to put some powering up over obsticals. Great for going down a grade also with out using the brakes and smoking them.
 
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OP, here are some some DAC facts.

If it's working correctly the following requirements have to be met:

1. In low range, any gear
2. 15 mph or less
3. Foot completely off brake.

That said, there's not much reason to use it in anything but 1st or (maybe) 2nd gear.
 
Transfer Indicator Switch?

My DAC light continues blinking and does not go solid (gear + L4 are in correct position) - so I assume it has to be some malfunction.

How do I check the Transfer Indicator L4 switch that you mention?

RCs4Runner said:
I'm not sure if the DAC system is the same for the V8 4Runner vs the GX (im assuming it is) but you might have a faulty Transfer Indicator L4 Switch. That will cause the DAC light to blink but not engage.

Also in the GX you don't need to be in 1st gear for it to work, it'll work in any gear, you just need to be in L4.
Click to expand...
 
mea culpa! hey folks, time for a bit of self critique: just had to shift into N (neutral) to get the system working! stupid me, apologies if I caused any confusion.

btw: the system IS noisy but also very helpful on extreme terrain with very steep downhill climbs over slippy ground.
 
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