Flashing Maint Light?

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

At startup, the maint light on my 03 4runner gives several flashes (even after all other dash lights have went off). I didn't notice this when I first got it, although it could have done it then as well. It doesn't stay lit, and shortly after turning the car on it'll quit blinking. Is this normal?

 

[ToyTech99]

It's just a mileage counter to let you know that your oil change is due. I think it illuminates 5,000 miles after the last time it was reset.

 

[MikesToy]

i never go over 5K for an oil change.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

That's kinda what I thought. I've changed the oil, been about a month now. I've got the in dash nav, and I've went through there and told it to reset the counter. Does this not effect the light? I've actually turned off the indicator, but it still shows up. How do I get this reset?

 

[ToyTech99]

i never go over 5K for an oil change.

Well, that's what Toyota decided to set the oil change interval reminder for....but you don't have to follow their recommendations. Anyone is free to change his oil at any interval. But regardless, the reminder will illuminate and needs to be reset.

 

[ToyTech99]

That's kinda what I thought. I've changed the oil, been about a month now. I've got the in dash nav, and I've went through there and told it to reset the counter. Does this not effect the light? I've actually turned off the indicator, but it still shows up. How do I get this reset?

Nope, navigation isn't tied into your dash light. To reset it, I believe you have to press and hold the odometer reset button and turn the ignition to the on position. Release the button only after the light goes out. I think that's how you do it, but I could be wrong. I always get the procedure mixed up with my other vehicles...

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Hmmm, I guess the maintenance screen on the dash is just a visual for you. I thought it would trigger the light. I read the owners manual and didn't see anything about resetting it, so I'll have to try that and see if it works. Thanks!

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

OK, that procedure didn't work. I'm gonna try to look in the owners manual and do some searching to see if I can figure this out.

 

[ToyTech99]

OK, that procedure didn't work. I'm gonna try to look in the owners manual and do some searching to see if I can figure this out.

Yeah, it's in the owner's manual for sure. I don't have mine with me right now.

I think the way I told you to do it is for Lexus vehicles.

 

[ToyTech99]

Here you go:

1. Turn ignition switch to "ON" position
2. Set odometer/trip display to "ODO" mode
3. Turn ignition switch to "OFF" position
4. Depress and hold the Trip Meter "RESET" button while turning the ignition switch to the "ON" position
5. The service maintenance reminder light will:

i. Illuminate solidly for 3 seconds
ii. Blink for 2 seconds
iii. Illuminate solidly for 1 second
iv. Turn off

6. Release the Trip Meter "RESET" button
7. Turn the ignition switch to the "OFF" position
8. Turn the ignition to the "ON" position and confirm that the service maintenance reminder light goes out.

^^^^^ Got that from another thread on the forum ^^^^^

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Great, thanks! It'll be tomorrow before I get a chance to try it out, but it should work. So, is this automatically gonna go off every 5k miles?

 

[ToyTech99]

So, is this automatically gonna go off every 5k miles?

Yup, nothing you can do to stop it. Print out a copy of the instructions and keep it in your glovebox.

 

[jharris2]

Great, thanks! It'll be tomorrow before I get a chance to try it out, but it should work. So, is this automatically gonna go off every 5k miles?

Actually, it's going to automatically go ON at 5,000 miles.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Actually, it's going to automatically go ON at 5,000 miles.

Haha, yea that's actually what I meant to say. My terminology was a bit misleading I guess.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Got the light reset this morning, thanks guys!

 

[nefarious]

Thanks for reset info

 

[Fred Ritchie]

It's just a mileage counter to let you know that your oil change is due. I think it illuminates 5,000 miles after the last time it was reset.

My '04 SR5 maint light comes on every 3K mi. and stays on until I re-set (after oil change). Today was first time it flashed after all other lights were out & motor running and then went out. Never saw the flash signal before, just steady maint 'till re-set. Is this something different?

 

[AuSeeker]

My '04 SR5 maint light comes on every 3K mi. and stays on until I re-set (after oil change). Today was first time it flashed after all other lights were out & motor running and then went out. Never saw the flash signal before, just steady maint 'till re-set. Is this something different?

You might want to read your owner's manual again about when the light comes on and also when it stays on continuously, because if you're waiting for that light to come on and staying on continuously you most likely have around 7500 miles from your last oil change/resetting of the reminder/"Maint" light, at the very least you have 5000 miles on that last oil change, no 4th Gen T4R "Maint" light comes on at 3000 miles they all come on at 5000 miles!!

Just an FYI, here's what it says in the 2003 T4R owner's manual, on pages 120 and 121!

https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM35806U/pdf/OM35806U.pdf

"(h) Engine Oil Replacement Reminder
Light (for vehicles sold in U.S.A.)
This light reminds you when to replace
the engine oil.
This light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to “ON” and will go off after
about a few seconds.

When you drive for about 8000 km (5000
miles) after the engine oil replacement,
this light illuminates for about 3 seconds
and then flashes for about 12 seconds
with the ignition key turned to “ON” position. If you continue driving without the
engine oil replacement, and if the driving
range exceeds 12000 km (7500 miles), the
light will come on after the ignition key is
turned to “ON” position. The light will remain on thereafter.
If the light is flashing, we recommend that
you replace the engine oil at an early
opportunity depending on the driving and
road condition. If the light comes on, replace it as soon as possible.
You need to reset the light after the engine oil replacement. Reset the light by
following the procedure below:
1. Turn the ignition key to the “OFF” position with the odometer reading shown.
(For details, see “Odometer and two
trip meters” on page 114 in this section.)
2. Turn the ignition key to the “ON” position while holding down the trip meter
reset button.
Hold down the button until the light goes
off. Before the light goes off, it illuminates
for 3 seconds, flashes for 2 seconds and
illuminates for 1 second.
If the system fails to reset, the light will
remain flashing."

 

[Fred Ritchie]

Have had truck for 4 yrs. now and do my oil changes when light comes on and stays "steady" on (mine works out at 3,000 mi. which I have checked against odometer). For the first time (and definitely less than 3K mi) the light is flashing, and then stops by itself, it has never flashed before, always steady red as described until I re-set after changing oil. I'm certain of my numbers and that I now have a different, flashing indication which is new and seems inexplicable. You'll have to take my word on how long I've been changing oil in this truck and my description of the problem.
I'll drop by and talk to the dealer techs. Can't understand confusion between "strange" flashing or normal steady red until re-set. If it flashes and goes out, there's nothing to re-set.

 

[MorrisK64]

Has there been any closure on this problem? My 2006 4Runner maint light flashes 4 or 5 times after ignition then goes out. It is NOT the light telling me to change my oil. I’m too lazy to try and find it on the manual so I checked here first and see someone else with the same issue.