Gas Cap Warning! DO NOT IGNORE

[stropp]

Been fighting with my gas cap that has triggered my check engine light and flipped off the traction and stability control. Sometimes it worked and other times it didn’t or didn’t last. Paid for it yesterday when I lost control on a wet road. New cap was on order

Any one know why Toyota chose to disable traction control with that error?

 

[montijo505]

Been fighting with my gas cap that has triggered my check engine light and flipped off the traction and stability control. Sometimes it worked and other times it didn’t or didn’t last. Paid for it yesterday when I lost control on a wet road. New cap was on order



Any one know why Toyota chose to disable traction control with that error?

Ouch, hopefully anyone in there walked away ok

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[Syr4RinNC]

I’m sorry to see that you had that crash - hope everyone is ok.

Did you used an obd2 to check the codes? I’ve had that gas cap code before and no issues with my vsc being disabled. I wonder if it was a few things

 

[Drcoffee]

I doubt that your conclusion is accurate. I had the same cel for gas cap and my traction control still worked. I think you just had both thing going on at the same time.

 

[stropp]

My traction control was definitely off. P0456 is the code it threw. Tanking the gas cap off, turning the ignition off and resetting through my radio resets. Everything is in spec.

 

[04rnr]

DAMN, Hope you're ok.. The 4runner can be replaced, people can't.

 

[y=mx+b]

Sorry that happened man. That sucks and I hope everyone walked away safely.

I believe the VSC and TRAC systems are automatically shut off with the CEL because the computer knows that something in its network of sensors could be providing false or inaccurate information to the computer. With something like an error due to faulty wheel speed sensor, it makes sense that the VSC and TRAC systems would possibly be receiving inaccurate information and to shut them off to prevent issue. I had a wheel speed sensor problem early on, and it would apply all brakes really hard very rarely when the system got confused, until it tripped the CEL and turned off everything. Something like that is a good reason to disable stuff. With the evap system, it is frustrating that it causes a safety feature to disable.

 

[Wild Thing]

Crap, that hurts just lookin' at it. Hope y'all walked out unscathed. Sorry for your loss.

 

[WRTR5]

Had the same thing happen to me in my previous runner. Luckily the road was flat and dry. Anyone know why the cap is super loose? I've had two of the same gens and they both had the gas cap problem..

even replacing the cap didn't do anything

 

[Seymore Butts]

I've had a bad gas cap seal twice now, and both times resulted only in a CEL. Traction and Stability lights were not illuminated. '08 SR5 v6 4WD. I suspect that you had some other malfunction that disabled those features.

 

[Steve Theodore]

Ouch, very sorry to see and hear what happened to the OP! That's awful, and I hope you're OK and that insurance takes proper care of you so you're back in the saddle again soon. :wow:

 

[thennen]

Sorry to see that. Hope there were no injuries.

My 2001 had a CEL for years due to an evap condition (I forget the code). VSC and TRAC lights both on always. I spent time and money trying to chase it down, including gas caps, O2 sensors, etc. with no success. Not sure if things are different on subsequent gens.

I think y=mx+b is right - the computer knows something is up. The better choice in that case is probably to let you know those systems are compromised by disabling and putting lights on the dash, especially if the computer can't confirm they're working correctly.

In the case of my 2001, I finally discovered the cause for the evap condition when I was filling with gas one day. I looked below the truck and saw gas running down the sides of the tank and onto the concrete. Apparently a gap had formed where the filler neck joins the tank.

Also, traction control CAUSED a loss of control in my case one time (before the above-mentioned problem). I was unaware that I was on ice, and was under mild acceleration. The traction control knew it was slick, and kicked on, then off, and started my tail drifting. I ended up driving into a cornfield.

 

[Dirtyvato]

DAMN, Hope you're ok.. The 4runner can be replaced, people can't.

This right here

 

[TheThreeFs]

Ouch. Hope you’re ok

 

[TheThreeFs]

Ouch. Hope you’re ok

 

[toyorgy]

I didn't know the traction control becomes disabled. I thought just all the dash lights would turn on.

My cap would not tighten no matter what and my dash lights were always on. I flipped the O-ring around and the cap had friction again and a couple days later all the lights are off.

It probably won't last long so I ordered another.

 

[T4R2014]

VSC and TRAC are reactive systems. I think this should be a warning to adjust your driving habits in wet conditions regardless of vehicle.

 

[Drcoffee]

I prefer the ABS to be off especially in wet and snow conditions. I found the thread on splicing into the yaw circuit to turn off the nanny state. Its impossible to control the vehicle while you are fighting the ecm. In fact it almost killed me twice in rain. I say go, it starts moving then chokes down leaving me in the line of traffic.
Go someplace where you can turn it off and practice hard stops legally. Get used to skidding and sliding. Pumping brakes, and steering into the slide. Its fun and might save your life one day.

 

[<<<<]

I had bad gas cap. Check engine light pop-up on dash (first thing I checked was gas cap because it is easiest and cheapest to diagnose and fix). Traction control or any other safety item was not disabled during that time. 4th gen 4Runner's gas caps should be included in Routine Maintenance Schedule for every 30K miles.