Gauge Cluster Cutting Out

[Labtales]

Hey guy's, brand new here, and found you while looking for answers to a problem. I hope you can help. I have an '02 Limited I bought about 3 years ago. Two winters ago when it was really cold the gauge cluster cut out. No tach, speedo, fuel, odo, and of course no cruise control. The check engine light came on shortly after as did the "VSC control" light and the "VSC Off"light. took it to my local dealer and they told me the circuit board had shorted. I followed their recommendation (they also said the rest of the warranty would be void if I didn't), and replaced it. The part was over $400 and it didn't solve the problem. It would blink out and then come right back on, only when it was cold outside. I told Toyota this, and they said that unless it was out, they had nothing to check. Well it finally did it and stayed off. It was 55* outside today. Took it to the dealer, and showed them. The guy drove the truck around to the service bay, got out to get his computer to hook up, and when he got back over to the truck, ........they worked again.

My questions are:
Has anyone heard of this happening before?
Is it problematic to the truck, or is this an isolated incedent?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[3rdgengrog]

i have an 02 SR5, and the same lights are on, did you install a cold air intake on your rig? and welcome to the site

 

[Labtales]

No, no cold air intake, it's as stock as the day I bought it. The only thing I have done is add a Thule rack on the roof to carry my little marsh boat and swapped the useless street tires for decent A/T s.

 

[3rdgengrog]

weird, what where the codes that triggered the check engine light? and instead of taking it to the stealership, auto zone or advanced auto or trac auto should be able to tell you why the check engine light is coming on. they told me it may be the mass airflow sensor aside from you and me i havent seen this prob writen about here. good luck and let me know what you find out.