Dash Lights lit up

C

Carbineone

Member
OK. I just bought this 2002 4unner SR5 2wd. It runs beautiful. But I was getting the dreaded CEL, TRC and VAC lights in the dash.

I think the code I was getting was a P0420 if I remember right. First I fell for the gas cap one. Reset the codes. Came on again shortly. Then I fell for the dowstream O2 Sensor. Again reset the Computer, and back on again. Then I cleaned and tightened battery posts, and fixed a small gauge ground wire of the negative terminal that went to the inner fender. Again failure.

This is a new 4runner to me and seemed I was smelling exhaust. And it was a little loud. I started it up and crawled underneath. First thing I found was a decent size leak in the flange right behind the main cat. I took it apart at the flange, and found what is shown in the pic. I guess Bubba did not want to spend 4.00 on a new doughnut type gasket and preceded to professionally fabricate his own gaskets. LOL I ran down and bought a correct gasket. Installed that and it was quite a bit quieter. But still seemed to have a leak. Started it and crawled underneath. I found about a 1 inch slit/crack on the downstream Cat. Looks like again Bubba went to work. Looks like they attempted to weld it with chicken scratch. And entirely missed welding the crack shut too.

I pulled out my welder and welding it all good. Almost looks like someone may have attempted to steal the Cats using a cutoff wheel and grinder, and and were interrupted and scared off when they first started the deed..

Anyway this may or may not help someone. But the lights have not come back on for a day now. It usually took a short drive and they are back on. I am cautiously optimistic it is finally fixed. If anything it runs really quiet so this needed done anyway.

If they do come back on I will be back to rant. And look for other ideas.

Pic of Bubbas attempt at gasket making. They are crudely cut out of some really thin sheet metal. And incorrect too.
 
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OK sad update. Wasted alot of time typing the first post, and more time trying to figure this out. They came on again. Getting really frustrated here. Will keep looking for more ideas. But in the meantime, I am going to try to reset the Computer a few times. Maybe it will take a few cycles to get completely cleared out. A dream I know but since it went a little longer than normal before the lights came back on, maybe I made some progress.

Just very frustrating it can run so good with or without those damn lights on..Maybe remove the bulbs from those three lights..,LOL
 
You probably have one or both cats that are bad. You could try tricking the rear o2 sensor with a o2 spacer but if you have smog checks, it probably won't pass inspection. I ran one on my 4runner for a few years because of the p0420 code and it worked until a few weeks ago and I had to replace both catalytic converters.
 
I live in Nebraska. No inspections here. I just want the lights off by whatever means will work. How does this spacer work? Buying expensive new cats for my 700.00 4runner is not an option at all.
 
Carbineone said:
I live in Nebraska. No inspections here. I just want the lights off by whatever means will work. How does this spacer work? Buying expensive new cats for my 700.00 4runner is not an option at all.
Click to expand...

Remove the O2 sensor install the spacer reinstall the sensor, what is does is moves the sensor out of the exhaust gas flow a little and prevents the sensor into not sensing as much of the gases.

Hopefully you can remove the sensors without damaging them, if they are badly rusted in you may have to buy new ones if they get damaged, I suggest buying the proper O2 sensor socket/wrench/tool.

Google Search
 
Thanks. My sensor comes right out. I already had it out. My 4runner fortunately spend the majority of its life down in FL and GA so it is very, very rust free throughout. I am going to look into the sparkplug extender option too, or whatever they called.. Those I can maybe get right her at the local auto store.
 
OK I went down to the store and bought one of the sparkplug anti foulers. I bought the long one and put it in. That way I did not have to drill it out. If I have to get a short one and drill it I will. But we will see what the longer ones does first. I will let you how it is going.

If they lights come back on with the long one..Maybe the short one will work better..Who knows.
 
Went a whole day yesterday with anti fouler installed. No lights yet. But it is probably just a matter of time again. I am praying they do not. This is all actually pretty traumatic on me. When I come to signal light , and the light changes to yellow. I panic and it makes me look down to see if the dash lights came on again,LOL
 
Carbineone said:
Went a whole day yesterday with anti fouler installed. No lights yet. But it is probably just a matter of time again. I am praying they do not. This is all actually pretty traumatic on me. When I come to signal light , and the light changes to yellow. I panic and it makes me look down to see if the dash lights came on again,LOL
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This most likely won't last forever BUT just use the time it does last to save up some money to replace the Cats, if the lights never some back on then you will have some money to use for other things.
 
Thanks. Replacing the cats is never going to be in the equation. I would assume the replacement cats would cost way more the 700.00 I paid for it. No way can I justify that on an older vehicle with 195,000 miles on it. If this does not work. I will find another way other than cat replacement.
 
Carbineone said:
Thanks. Replacing the cats is never going to be in the equation. I would assume the replacement cats would cost way more the 700.00 I paid for it. No way can I justify that on an older vehicle with 195,000 miles on it. If this does not work. I will find another way other than cat replacement.
Click to expand...

Maybe some used Cats from a salvage yard...or some electrical tape over the lights!!
 
What stinks is the CEL light will disable the TRAC And VSC instantly when it triggers.. So glad you got a work around until you can fix it. :-)
 
I have no idea what this amazing Trac and VSC is doing for me other than making annoying lights come. But I have drove Vehicles for over 50 years now, models from the 1950s to the 1980s, that did not have all this crap. And somehow, believe it or not, I survived. People talk about Cats going bad. and failing. All I can say is all Cats just like all this other crap regulation stuff they force on Manufacturers these days. It is all defective from the get go in my opinion, even when new.LOL
 
Over a 100 miles trip yesterday. Lights still out. The truth of the matter is I would like to see that stupid Trac VAC stuff gone completely, now that I found it what it does. My Son who is the Parts manager at our local Toyota.GM dealership showed me what it does yesterday. His 4runner has it too I believe. Love my Toyotas. but that system is one of the dumbest I have ever seen. Yesterday we went down by the River and there were some some mud holes. We were both in different vehicles. I nearly got stuck in a little mud hole. Till he came and showed me what to do. It was like the trans was slipping or the reared was going out till he worked that button for me..What an absolute stupid system. He told you not only have yo posh the TRAC off button. But also hold it down a additional few seconds to disable it all. I would prefer it was gone forever..Is there a magic button for that?
 
I was reading this thread. I already have a disable button that looks factory. Maybe the earlier 3rd generations did not have this option, and people have to ad switches to disable? Or maybe they are adding another switch to disable the VSC in addition to the traction control?

I will likely just live with what I have. But I like many others in that thread would just like it gone forever and always. No switch at all. Just gone. I guess I should put a pic up of the 700.00 4runner. It had front damage to core support, bumper, grille headlights, valance, Radiator, and AC Condenser. No frame damage or nothing. Just a light enough wreck to do damage. I hut straightened the core support the best I could

. Ended up having to put old school hood pins on as I could not get it to latch the hood really good. Thought about replacing the core support. but what the heck. It runs and drives very nice and the more important thing it is rust free throughout. So I am very happy with the new tires and front end parts, I am still only in it around 1400.00. What can you buy for that money. A Ford, Chrysler, Dodge,LOL

.oyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/79426-disable-vsc-trac-abs-without-damaging-factory-wiring.html
 
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