How can I disable the VSC on my 4 runner?

[hawaiiguy]

Hi, I am new here and hope someone can help me out.
I bought a used 2002 4 runner awhile back and would like to know if it is possible to totally disable the Vehicle Stability Control.
I drive a very winding,twisty road to work and back everyday ( approx. 20 miles of twistys ). The problem is that when I take a curve faster than the onboard computer deems safe, it will automatically engage the brakes.
I assume this is the Vehicle Stability Control kicking in but since my 4 runner didnt come with a manuel I am only guessing here.
There is a button on the dash just to the left of the steering wheel that has an icon of a chassis with the wheels turned sharply. I assume this is supposed to engage and disengage the VSC but it makes no difference whether the button is pressed or not,the computer still brakes on its own while cornering.
Can anyone help with this?

 

[JustAnotherT4R]

you can make a button to by pass it.

that button your talking about isnt not for VSC. its to lock your middle diff. i think.

you can pull the 4x4 fuse. that will turn the vsc off and trac off. but you will not have a 4x4.

 

[KellyJ]

That button locks the center differential. It also disables the TRAC and VSC I believe. But it is not to be used on solid road surfaces - only mud, sand, snow, etc.

If you pull the fuse out of the engine bay (green ABS fuse) you'll lose VSC, TRAC and ABS

 

[JustAnotherT4R]

oh forgot to say the fuse in the cab not in the engine bay.

 

[Rock Slide]

Hi, I am new here and hope someone can help me out.
I bought a used 2002 4 runner awhile back and would like to know if it is possible to totally disable the Vehicle Stability Control.
Can anyone help with this?

No offense, but try searching next time. This has been covered many, many times.

As others have stated, the button you're pressing, is your Center Diff Lock.

However, if you want to install a switch to disable TRAC/VSC/ABS on the fly, follow the link below. Myself and others have done this mod and it works great.

http://www.yotatech.com/f127/disabling-vsc-trac-2001-2002-4runner-vsc-trac-systems-103814/

 

[hawaiiguy]

Thanks for the help

Thank You JustAnotherT4R, KellyJ and Rock Slide for the info.
Short term fix will be pulling the fuse. I will install the switch to disable the VSC after the Holidays when I have a bit more time.
Thanks again and Happy Holidays.

 

[fastone53w]

sorry to bring up old thread, I just got a 2002 4runner v6 4x4. I can't start new thread do to being newbie... I searched this found lots of info but nothing really VSC disable only on 2002

I want to only disable VSC and leave track control on.

I live in WI drove it a few times in snow already, getting dreaded pulling away from stop and turning and computer taking throttle control away while pulling across or into traffic.

For what I read this is from VSC and not track control?

If I do ANDY MOD 1 or 2 I loose track control.

For what I read track control is what gives you 4x4 in deep snow do to brakes act like limited slip diff and with track control off leaves you with open front and rear ends correct?

 

[R3Z3N]

^ To answer your question for '01-'02 it is called the Bagel Mod to disable VSC or VSC/TRAC

Click for link!

 

[Bad Luck]

^ To answer your question for '00-'02 it is called the Bagel Mod to disable VSC or VSC/TRAC

Click for link!

01-02. 2000 and prior don't have VSC or TRAC

 

[OrRunner]

Hi, I am new here and hope someone can help me out.
I bought a used 2002 4 runner awhile back and would like to know if it is possible to totally disable the Vehicle Stability Control.
I drive a very winding,twisty road to work and back everyday ( approx. 20 miles of twistys ). The problem is that when I take a curve faster than the onboard computer deems safe, it will automatically engage the brakes.
I assume this is the Vehicle Stability Control kicking in but since my 4 runner didnt come with a manuel I am only guessing here.
There is a button on the dash just to the left of the steering wheel that has an icon of a chassis with the wheels turned sharply. I assume this is supposed to engage and disengage the VSC but it makes no difference whether the button is pressed or not,the computer still brakes on its own while cornering.
Can anyone help with this?

There are a few things you should try before you disable VSC (an important safety feature)-

Is the truck lifted? If so there are several steps to correct this issue. First step is to do a "zero point calibration" on the stability control system (look it up) which will calibrate the sensor the vehicle uses to detect body roll in turns. Next step put on extended rear sway bar end links- front 3rd gen links will bolt on to the rear and are perfect for up to 3 inches of lift. I picked up a set from autozone with a lifetime warranty for $70 and they took half an hour to install. This will restore the rear sway bar to it's proper orientation and make the rear MUCH more stable in turns. Finally, if you continue to have issues with the VSC going off while driving install a panhard correction kit from EIMkeith. This will restore the panhard orientation to its correct horizontal level and raise the roll center, making the vehicle less tippy in turns. Doing all of these things will greatly improve the safety and driving habits of a lifted 3rd gen.

If the truck is not lifted do a zero point calibration and retest, that will likely resolve the issue. If it doesn't check the suspension (particularly the rear) for worn out bushings, play, blown shocks etc.

Disabling VSC and TRAC can be useful on the trail or in certain controlled situations, but it's an important safety feature of the vehicle for every day driving.

 

[Bad Luck]

[MENTION=217828]OrRunner[/MENTION] Good info for the next guy, but you're over a decade late to help out the original poster bud

 

[brillo_76]

[MENTION=217828]OrRunner[/MENTION] Good info for the next guy, but you're over a decade late to help out the original poster bud

I have a 01 and this info will help me If I make changes to it.. So he helped the next guy..

Recycling threads is a good thing. However, always best to check the posting date. ;-)

 

[The Cold War Kid]

...
Disabling VSC and TRAC can be useful on the trail or in certain controlled situations, but it's an important safety feature of the vehicle for every day driving.

Maybe there's something I don't know. Could you explain the safety feature thing, please? After driving mine for the first time on ice it seems to me it's the exact opposite - a danger, in everyday driving.

 

[OrRunner]

Maybe there's something I don't know. Could you explain the safety feature thing, please? After driving mine for the first time on ice it seems to me it's the exact opposite - a danger, in everyday driving.

Well it's stability control on a tall SUV with a relatively high danger of a roll over accident. If it senses excessive body roll or speed that could lead to an accident it takes action and can brake individual wheels or cut the throttle to prevent an accident. I'm not sure what your experience driving in the snow was, but I expect if you had a problem is was due to traction control, not stability control.

 

[fastone53w]

^ To answer your question for '00-'02 it is called the Bagel Mod to disable VSC or VSC/TRAC

Click for link!

Thanks that what I looking for!



Is my understanding how the 4x4 works on 2002 4runner correct?

For what I read the track control is what gives you "4x4" in deep snow. Do to brakes act like limited slip diff for front and back. Stops spinning wheels and power goes to non spinning wheels?

With track control disabled or OFF, it leaves you with basically open front and rear ends correct? The 2002 has no front or rear locker and the track control is what keeps it from being 2 wheel drive and getting stuck?

This is what I gathered from lots of reading?

 

[fastone53w]

Maybe there's something I don't know. Could you explain the safety feature thing, please? After driving mine for the first time on ice it seems to me it's the exact opposite - a danger, in everyday driving.

I am experiencing same issue, it is not very safe in ice and snow when you need to really go and it just shuts you down...

For what I read some people think it is VSC related, some blame Trac control.

One of the threads really thought on 2002 it is the VSC giving it the slow start and no throttle on ice and snow..

I will find out soon I doing the bagel mod