Dash Warning Lights?Alarm Sound?

[Hi-Tek RedNek]

Just recently started having this happen. I have a 2002 SR5 4WD/3.4 V-6.Just turned 89,500 miles.I had just pulled out of driveway and gone about 2-3 miles and suddenly my dash lights up like a Christmas Tree.The Brake;VSC Trac;ABS light all lit up and also some kind of alarm sound sounded off for about 10 seconds.Alarm sound finally quit and then the sensor lights went back off. Didn't experience any engine or brake or any type of mechanical problems from this, and I proceeded on to work. didn't have any more problems until about 3-4 days later,when my wife borrowed 4 Runner to take to work. As she was driving to work(she had not been gone 5 minutes ) the same thing happened again ( Brake;VSC Trac;ABS sensor lights in dash lit up ) and the alarm sound came on again for about 10 seconds. She called me on cell and was afraid to drive further. I told her it happened to me too a few days before.I went and got the 4 runner , drove it home and also to work today, ...nothing has happened as yet . Anyone have a clue as to what's going on ???:wtf: Note: *Check Engine Light did not come on *

 

[TheDurk]

I have never heard of that. I wonder if it could be due to a momentary interruption in power due to a faulty battery cable. I had an ancient BMW 735i that would go into reset like that and it turned out to be that kind of invisible corrosion that lives under the insulation jacket of the positive cable. New cable, no more problem.

Open the hood with engine running and see if monkeying with the battery cables causes anything to happen. Inspect cables and ground connections carefully. Weird stuff often involves a ground problem somewhere.

 

[JohnsD90]

Ah, you got the 3 amigos! I have never heard of a 4runner to get this but it is a common problem in the LR Discovery world. It is usually something usually like a bad ABS sensor or something stupid like that, I wouldnt get freaked out about it. But Toyota may have a different reason or fix to this problem than on the Land Rovers.
IF you are afraid to drive without traction control and ABS than you might not want to drive it, having that brake light come on too doesnt mean the brakes are engaged or dont work, there is just an issue with the ABS. This is a reoccuring problem on my moms 04 Discovery and somedays it will come on and others it won't.

 

[Hi-Tek RedNek]

Instrument Panel sensors/Alarm Sound

"THANKS" The DURK and JohnsD90 for your replies to my dilemma.Will check out your suugesstions.Truly appreciated !!

 

[TheDurk]

"THANKS" The DURK and JohnsD90 for your replies to my dilemma.Will check out your suugesstions.Truly appreciated !!

I think JD90 may be closer to the truth given that CEL does not come on either. But modules can reset differently when there is a momentary interrupt. Still, checking cables and grounds is a good idea on any weirdo elec problem diagnosis. You feel really stupid when you start changing sensors and relays and it turns out to be a cable/ground problem. Let us know when you figure it out.

 

[Hi-Tek RedNek]

The Durk

Gotcha ! Will do ! Take care and "keep the rubber side down " ! Later ,Hi-Tek:thumb3:

 

[Hi-Tek RedNek]

Dealerships opinions

Went to -2- different Toyota Dealerships,told them both my dilemma, and they both said pretty much the same thing.Their opinion was sounded to them like a possible "electrical interruption" that set all those sensors off.They said as long as it went off and didn't continue to stay on all the time, that there wasn't anything to be concerned about and was OK to drive normally. I still went ahead and checked the Gas Cap and also the battery connections as you guys previously suggested.The battery did have a little bit of powdery corrosion, but was snug and secure.If it should happen again I might just try dis-connecting,then re-connecting the positive battery cable and see if that re-sets things back to normal. Again, "THANKS" for the help ! Later, Hi-Tek RedNek:thumb3:

 

[TheDurk]

It took me several months to figure out the problem on my old BMW. The interruptions gradually became more frequent and more severe until finally the engine died while I was driving. Then I got serious about taking cables off, cleaning connections and ground points, and found the hidden corrosion in the positive cable. Good luck!

 

[JohnsD90]

Went to -2- different Toyota Dealerships,told them both my dilemma, and they both said pretty much the same thing.Their opinion was sounded to them like a possible "electrical interruption" that set all those sensors off.They said as long as it went off and didn't continue to stay on all the time, that there wasn't anything to be concerned about and was OK to drive normally. I still went ahead and checked the Gas Cap and also the battery connections as you guys previously suggested.The battery did have a little bit of powdery corrosion, but was snug and secure.If it should happen again I might just try dis-connecting,then re-connecting the positive battery cable and see if that re-sets things back to normal. Again, "THANKS" for the help ! Later, Hi-Tek RedNek:thumb3:

There is a bad sensor in your brake system, or something along those lines. Its not about the wiring around the battery its on the other end of things that is setting it off, the dealers are right, there is no reason why you cant drive on it though. I find it pretty sh*tty that the dealer cant offer a fix or even reasoning on why it is happening.

 

[024RunnerSE]

Well, my 4Runner has the flickering sliding out of control icon blink at me with the beeping when im in the freeway doing high speeds around the curves. This problem is caused by my crooked steering wheel. The sensor in the steering column reads a crooked steering angle and reads the speeds input and thinks the truck is slipping. That might be something for you to think about. Although, my 02 has 250,000+ miles on it and its been through offroad hell so thats why my steering is a bit off.

 

[LadyDi4runner]

Well, my 4Runner has the flickering sliding out of control icon blink at me with the beeping when im in the freeway doing high speeds around the curves. This problem is caused by my crooked steering wheel. The sensor in the steering column reads a crooked steering angle and reads the speeds input and thinks the truck is slipping. That might be something for you to think about. Although, my 02 has 250,000+ miles on it and its been through offroad hell so thats why my steering is a bit off.

Hey! Currently own '01 SR5 4WD with 123,000 miles. I had the same icon blinking and sounding off happening maybe 3 times in last couple of weeks just going around mild curves. Now it has stopped right after I got the fuel injectors cleaned out, truck runs like a top now, whereas before it was getting quite sluggish. Been dealing with this for the last almost year, thought it was the air mass sensor, codes kept coming up either P0171(faulty H02S/RF sensor) or P0420(AF sensor error) had them (not the dealer!)spray the air filter connection with Carb/Choke cleaner and the lights went off for a few months(check engine/VSC)then returned. Finally, got the fuel injector system cleaned out and no lights, no flickering out of control icon, no alarm sounding! Happy camper so far! Will check in if any of the above returns. Thanks for all the sound direction on this forum! LadyDi

 

[Jrolen]

Well, my 4Runner has the flickering sliding out of control icon blink at me with the beeping when im in the freeway doing high speeds around the curves. This problem is caused by my crooked steering wheel. The sensor in the steering column reads a crooked steering angle and reads the speeds input and thinks the truck is slipping. That might be something for you to think about. Although, my 02 has 250,000+ miles on it and its been through offroad hell so thats why my steering is a bit off.

I know that this is a really old thread but I was hoping maybe to bump it up and see if anyone has some input on this? This is EXACTLY what my car is doing. My steering wheel is definitely not bent though. It's got 320k+ on it so I am leaning towards wear and tear on a sensor somewhere but I have no clue where to start. Other than the siren and the light flashing (and the subsequent need for a change of britches) there is nothing wrong with the car's performance and it has always happened on dry roads (no sliding). It seems like it always happens when I am going down hill (pressing the break) and taking a (left-hand, for some reason) turn. All of the electrical connections were checked just a couple of weeks ago because I had a Christmas tree dash that turned out to be caused by a bad O2 sensor but I checked connections to rule out the easy stuff. Guess I can check again when I get off work just to rule that out...again. Does anyone have any input on what sensors could cause this problem?

I am not going to lie....I would LOVE to just go ahead and do a complete and total overhaul on my runner because she is old and could probably use the TLC anyways but I just had a baby a couple of months ago....I can't afford right now to just change parts willy-nilly and see if it fixes the problem. I would greatly appreciate any input from folks who have had this or similar issues, or who might know how to troubleshoot sensor problems to narrow down the problem.

Thanks!

 

[spartacus]

I know that this is a really old thread but I was hoping maybe to bump it up and see if anyone has some input on this? This is EXACTLY what my car is doing. My steering wheel is definitely not bent though. It's got 320k+ on it so I am leaning towards wear and tear on a sensor somewhere but I have no clue where to start. Other than the siren and the light flashing (and the subsequent need for a change of britches) there is nothing wrong with the car's performance and it has always happened on dry roads (no sliding). It seems like it always happens when I am going down hill (pressing the break) and taking a (left-hand, for some reason) turn. All of the electrical connections were checked just a couple of weeks ago because I had a Christmas tree dash that turned out to be caused by a bad O2 sensor but I checked connections to rule out the easy stuff. Guess I can check again when I get off work just to rule that out...again. Does anyone have any input on what sensors could cause this problem?

I am not going to lie....I would LOVE to just go ahead and do a complete and total overhaul on my runner because she is old and could probably use the TLC anyways but I just had a baby a couple of months ago....I can't afford right now to just change parts willy-nilly and see if it fixes the problem. I would greatly appreciate any input from folks who have had this or similar issues, or who might know how to troubleshoot sensor problems to narrow down the problem.

Thanks!

check your brake fluid level and the condition of the fluid itself.

 

[absalom]

TechStream (dealer level diagnostic software specifically for Toyotas) is $40 on eBay. Get it, install it, and report back.

 

[Jrolen]

[MENTION=50279]spartacus[/MENTION]-brake fluid level is good but could probably use a change. I don't see how that could mess with the traction control though (but who knows with how the computer reads and such). Flush and fill is definitely on the to-do list. Any input on how that would actually trigger the alarm would be greatly appreciated (I'd like to know so I can learn more about the systems..... I'm not completely new to the working on my own car thing but I still have LOTS to learn and am eager to do so).
[MENTION=79826]absalom[/MENTION]-Will research tomorrow.

Thank you both for the input!

 

[spartacus]

[MENTION=50279]spartacus[/MENTION]-brake fluid level is good but could probably use a change. I don't see how that could mess with the traction control though (but who knows with how the computer reads and such). Flush and fill is definitely on the to-do list. Any input on how that would actually trigger the alarm would be greatly appreciated (I'd like to know so I can learn more about the systems..... I'm not completely new to the working on my own car thing but I still have LOTS to learn and am eager to do so).

[MENTION=79826]absalom[/MENTION]-Will research tomorrow.

Thank you both for the input!

if your brake fluid level is good then your master brake cylinder is most likely good. assuming your t4r is 01 or 02 then it potentially could be your VSC system. here are a couple of links

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/96106-traction-control-beeping-right-turns.html
How to recalibrate VSC system on 2001 Toyota 4Runner | Mike Thomson

 

[Jrolen]

Well for an update, this morning on my way into work it happened again except for this time the traction control stepped in to stop the "slide" that wasn't happening. Put me in a potentially dangerous situation too as it caused a fairly significant, rapid change in driving conditions in the middle of a very tight turn... lucky that I'm not one of the people that drive down the road with my phone in one hand and a cheeseburger in the other. I am going to try the brakes (like I said, they are overdue to be done anyways). Tire pressure check and re calibrating the VSC have no down side so I will try throwing that at it, as well (I keep on top of my tire pressure but it has been a few weeks since I checked it with the weather FINALLY getting warm so there could have certainly been a change but I don't hold a lot of hope for that correcting the issue). I hope the brakes fix it. In my recent Google-wanderings, I have found similar issues with the traction control being related to the brakes ('course not on 4runners and not the same exact symptoms but it is somewhere to start)...fingers crossed. Sounds like it will be about a $70 +- and at least I will have peace of mind that my brakes are taken care of. My little old lady car is going to give me grey hair lol.


Oh...and yes it is an '01.

 

[leeclay]

Anti-Skid Alarm with activation of ABS when driving

Well, my 4Runner has the flickering sliding out of control icon blink at me with the beeping when im in the freeway doing high speeds around the curves. This problem is caused by my crooked steering wheel. The sensor in the steering column reads a crooked steering angle and reads the speeds input and thinks the truck is slipping. That might be something for you to think about. Although, my 02 has 250,000+ miles on it and its been through offroad hell so thats why my steering is a bit off.

The above may be related. I replaced my lower steering linkage and steering yoke and got the above indications. I have to go recalibrate my steering until it works. A pain in the arse, but fixable.