"Do I need an Auto tech... or a Priest?"

[rigtec]

Hi team,

Something strange started a couple days ago, just after a bitter cold snap. I started seeing the ABS light (on left) an the Tracking icon (on right). I really thought nothing of it at the time because I understand that circuit boards are sensitive to temperature (extreme temps in particular) and it's been very cold here; on the order of 20 deg f and I haven't used the vehicle since Mon or Tuesday. Today however, not only did I see the two warnings mentioned above, but almost all the other instrument monitors e.g., tachometer, engine temp gauge, fuel econo gauge... etc, were going crazy; the tach was spinning like a top, pinning at both ends of the scale! 'see below':

See ABS and BRAKE warning on the left, on right (above fuel gauge) see yellow 'Tracking' and 'small circle!' icon.


I noticed it when I was going to the supermarket. What I thought to do about it was, I 'disconnected' the battery before I went in the store; hoping that after about 30 mins, things may go back to normal... "that wasn't the case!" I'm not too worried about it, I'd just rather not take it to the dealership; remember I'm suing them for my 'Entune" problems (and for lying about it) and I really let them have it in my last email component!

Any clue...

rigtec, cheers

 

[bimrunner]

I had the same light sans ABS. Was fault codes in rear wheel speed sensors and the steering angle sensor. Cleared at dealer and nothing back on since. The computer stores codes until they are cleared using techstream. If you know anyone with the software you can check it out and if an inactive code, clear it and keep going. If it's active, more digging....

 

[Mooney]

I'm curious, since your having so many electrical issues at once, if your battery connection is good. Is there a chance with the cold weather you might be either getting a marginal connection at the terminals? Check battery voltage, see what it reads with static load, then recheck with ignition on without engine running. My guess is that if your down around 11.7 the cold weather is exacerbating the situation.

 

[rigtec]

I had the same light sans ABS. Was fault codes in rear wheel speed sensors and the steering angle sensor. Cleared at dealer and nothing back on since. The computer stores codes until they are cleared using techstream. If you know anyone with the software you can check it out and if an inactive code, clear it and keep going. If it's active, more digging....

Hi bimrunner,

and thanks for chiming in! Do you know if the sensors are sensitive to the cold, this happened exactly when the temperature dropped by 20+ degrees over night. I kinda thought it had something to do w/error codes but never considered that it may actually be a sensor. Thanks again for your help! Rgds

rigtec, cheers

 

[bimrunner]

I'm curious, since your having so many electrical issues at once, if your battery connection is good. Is there a chance with the cold weather you might be either getting a marginal connection at the terminals? Check battery voltage, see what it reads with static load, then recheck with ignition on without engine running. My guess is that if your down around 11.7 the cold weather is exacerbating the situation.

His battery gauge looks normal to me. And should be at max based on how the LE gauges work/look.

Hi bimrunner,

and thanks for chiming in! Do you know if the sensors are sensitive to the cold, this happened exactly when the temperature dropped by 20+ degrees over night. I kinda thought it had something to do w/error codes but never considered that it may actually be a sensor. Thanks again for your help! Rgds

rigtec, cheers

Idk. Mine happened going down a steep grade into a tight turn at 80mph in about 65 degrees. I've been in near zero and no problem. They are sensitive to dirt/mud but sometimes codes get thrown. Won't go away until cleared. If you search you'll find my thread on the problem from about two weeks ago. I called it VSC light or something like that.

 

[Ducmonsta]

Hey riggo,
I'm going to gently pick on you here. But that "circle with an exclamation point" is your power steering warning light. I would first check the fluid level and make sure it's good. I don't believe our trucks have a p/s fluid low indicator like GMs do.

And error codes are because of the sensors they are reading. Traction control, ABS, speedo, downhill assist, etc. are all affected by the wheel speed sensors.

 

[bimrunner]

Hey riggo,
I'm going to gently pick on you here. But that "circle with an exclamation point" is your power steering warning light. I would first check the fluid level and make sure it's good. I don't believe our trucks have a p/s fluid low indicator like GMs do.

And error codes are because of the sensors they are reading. Traction control, ABS, speedo, downhill assist, etc. are all affected by the wheel speed sensors.

Oh, didn't think about it but I didn't have the PS light either. Check the resi!

 

[Intruder]

Nothing in the 4Runner is that sensitive to the cold otherwise it'd constantly happen to everyone in Canada. 20 degree F temp drops overnight are nothing compared to the 20 C temp drops we can get up here (20 C change > 20 F change).

 

[rigtec]

"Hey riggo,

I'm going to gently pick on you here. But that "circle with an exclamation point" is your power steering warning light..."

Hi Duke,

It kinda looked like a steering wheel; never saw that before. Power steering is just fine, but ALL of my warning lights were coming on at some point, that's why I thought about having a Priest/Rabbi come and Bless it for me! lol.

"...And error codes are because of the sensors they are reading. Traction control, ABS, speedo, downhill assist, etc. are all affected by the wheel speed sensors."

I know you're right about that but even the Tachometer and Fuel Econometer were rolling like we were in a horror movie sooo ...wazzap :noidea: hahaha!

 

[Intruder]

Just curious, but why are you asking this on an internet forum when your sig says [Certifications: Auto electric, Auto a/c, Steering & suspension.]? Shouldn't someone with those certifications be able to diagnose the issue themselves? I know nothing about these certifications, so maybe they don't mean what I think they mean.

 

[T4R2014]

Go to another dealership? 20 degrees F should not trigger an issue like that by any means.

Just curious... which dealer are you suing? Parkway? Hackensack? The guys over in Hackensack are a scummy bunch in every department.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Curious as what codes are being thrown. In the meantime, check all the grounds ( body, chassis, engine), and check battery voltage (engine off, while starting, running). 20°F is nothing. I've had my 4th gen in temps as low as -30°F without any issues. I'm sure the 5th gen is just as rugged in low temps.

 

[rigtec]

Just curious, but why are you asking this on an internet forum when your sig says [Certifications: Auto electric, Auto a/c, Steering & suspension.]? Shouldn't someone with those certifications be able to diagnose the issue themselves? I know nothing about these certifications, so maybe they don't mean what I think they mean.

Are you trying to be funny... Hope so! I worked as an auto tech back in the 70's and the 80's but have since joined the steamfitters union as a Comm'l/Indus'l HVAC Building Trades Journeyman w/an electrical & controls specialty... "I have nothing to prove; I'm here to learn"... and to help others. PS: If you really wanted to know, you could have asked in a PM!

rigtec

 

[rigtec]

Curious as what codes are being thrown. In the meantime, check all the grounds ( body, chassis, engine), and check battery voltage (engine off, while starting, running). 20°F is nothing. I've had my 4th gen in temps as low as -30°F without any issues. I'm sure the 5th gen is just as rugged in low temps.

Hi gm,

Battery, charging, cabling is fine, I questioned why this happened the same day that it got very cold; just considering all possibilities!

 

[1engineer]

Pretty sure you have a voltage problem Rigtec. I would start there.

 

[rigtec]

Pretty sure you have a voltage problem Rigtec. I would start there.

Hi 1E,

I'll have it looked at on monday afternoon at the dealership; time for my 10,000 mile multi-point anyway! Thanks

 

[bimrunner]

Are you trying to be funny... Hope so! I worked as an auto tech back in the 70's and the 80's but have since joined the steamfitters union as a Comm'l/Indus'l HVAC Building Trades Journeyman w/an electrical & controls specialty... "I have nothing to prove; I'm here to learn"... and to help others. PS: If you really wanted to know, you could have asked in a PM!

rigtec

Doubt he meant harm. Many of us probably were wondering. It makes more sense now. It's just that when we see stuff in a signature, we lack context so we fill in the blanks and sometimes are left scratching out heads. Hope you get it sorted out. Let us know what the outcome is.

 

[rigtec]

Doubt he meant harm. Many of us probably were wondering. It makes more sense now. It's just that when we see stuff in a signature, we lack context so we fill in the blanks and sometimes are left scratching out heads. Hope you get it sorted out. Let us know what the outcome is.

You know...

You do what you can do to give back to others! I have been EXTREMELY Blessed with a long technical/trouble-shooting career, almost forty yrs (1976 until now). And I enjoy seeing younger folks grab hold of how to approach their technical problems. Now with a problem like I'm having, you really cannot guess at it... you need to have the right equipment. So I'm at a disadvantage at this point. I'll just take it in on monday and they'll tell me the story; but I know how to spot a bullshi**er's BS! Rgds

rig

 

[Intruder]

Are you trying to be funny... Hope so! I worked as an auto tech back in the 70's and the 80's but have since joined the steamfitters union as a Comm'l/Indus'l HVAC Building Trades Journeyman w/an electrical & controls specialty... "I have nothing to prove; I'm here to learn"... and to help others. PS: If you really wanted to know, you could have asked in a PM!

rigtec

Nope, not trying to be funny. Having that cert in your signature conveys a certain level of expertise to other forum members. This is why I was confused that someone with that cert would be starting a thread like this. I think it's somewhat misleading to use it on an automotive forum if you're 20+ years out of practise, the reason being that someone may be more inclined to take your advice on something over someone else based purely on your sig.

 

[rigtec]

Nope, not trying to be funny. Having that cert in your signature conveys a certain level of expertise to other forum members. This is why I was confused that someone with that cert would be starting a thread like this. I think it's somewhat misleading to use it on an automotive forum if you're 20+ years out of practise, the reason being that someone may be more inclined to take your advice on something over someone else based purely on your sig.

You have no idea as to what level of experience I may or may not be at right now! We have people here who have NEVER worked in the automobile industry 'at any time'... but that doesn't stop them from giving advice or sharing their ideas. "I don't give advice about things that I know nothing about, I leave that to those who may know more than I do; "trick is to know when to Shut-up!" Rgds