"Multi-Terrain Select Not Available" + Check Engine Light + TRAC OFF

[TRDORmike]

Hi Guys,

So yesterday I took my truck on its first real off road trip. Everything went well and no issues on the trail or after the day was over.

I drove to work today just fine however when I went back to my truck after work and started it up I am now getting a "Multi-Terrain Select Not Available" warning as well as my CEL on. Also getting the green icon on the dash blinking away and “TRAC OFF”.

Had a quick look under neath and all 4 corners doesn't look like anything is damaged or any wires broken etc. Anyone have any ideas on this? I was thinking the truck took the day like a champ but now it isn't seeming so .

I did not use the Multi Terrain Select option when out in the woods only 4 low/high and crawl control when going down the steep snowy/icy bits.

If anyone has any ideas that would be great as I am trying to avoid the dealer at all costs lol. Its under warranty as the truck is a 2017 but I do not want them working on it, only me.

To give some light and positivity to this thread I had an awesome day and was able to snap some good pics as well. Will be going out again this Sunday for an even longer trip regardless if this is fixed or not .

 

[JSparky]

If the CEL is on you're going to need a code reader. I fully understand not wanting to interact with a dealership service department, but given that it's under warranty and you've got a code thrown, I'd really recommend taking it in. You don't have to agree to service, but I'd at least let them diagnose it. Glad you got it out though!

Seeing that you're lifted, it could be needing what's called a zero point calibration. It usually gets triggered in turns, prematurely activating traction control, but some trucks present with the CEL. Either way since you've changed some of the operating angles with the lift it could be the cause. It's an easy no cost fix, there's a good thread on it floating around here if you search for it.

 

[sixxtoes]

I had the same issue. Turned out to be the gas cap. YES, the gas cap caused every damn light to come on including the multi terrain select. If it runs and handles fine, replace the gas cap and clear the code.

 

[wfo9]

Welcome to owning a modernToyota..

The lights basically mean nothing besides "something is wrong". 4wd become inoperable with a CEL no matter what the issue is... Most CELs are emissions related, but if it is flashing... it can be something more serious...

Even stranger.. some major issues don't set a CEL or light and just hide down in the modules.. Bottom line, the lights and messages mean almost nothing in terms of what is going on. Even with no lights, there can be a problem lurking.

Start with a generic OBD scan. If there is an actual CEL that will usually have a code of some sort reported. But you really need Toyota TIS (Toyota Technical Information System) if you plan on not ever taking it to the dealer. Most of the issues never report and you have to scan the specific modules to know what is going on. TIS has health check procedures that will scan all the non standard modules. It is the tool the dealers use.

You can get a hacked version of TIS operational for about $20, but most 5th gen owners don't want to make the effort. Seems crazy to me...because it will save you a ton of frustration and guessing if you want to DIY maintain and troubleshoot.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/243881-tis-install-guide.html

 

[TRDORmike]

I had the same issue. Turned out to be the gas cap. YES, the gas cap caused every damn light to come on including the multi terrain select. If it runs and handles fine, replace the gas cap and clear the code.

Interesting.. Hopefully this is all it is there were some solid wheel impacts that could have loosened it possibly? I am going to scan it myself after work and ill try just that and then clear. Will keep the thread updated.

Thank you,

 

[doctorres112]

I had the same issue. Turned out to be the gas cap. YES, the gas cap caused every damn light to come on including the multi terrain select. If it runs and handles fine, replace the gas cap and clear the code.

This!

Happened to me a month after ownership, I was freaking out. Literally had only seen the highway. Gas cap was the solution.

-Chris

 

[Hltoppr]

Mine had a similar thing...except the gauges would drop off when the brake was applied.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/234992-electrical-issue-vsc-brake-multi-terrain.html

-H-

 

[flimmyflammy]

2012 4Runner TE

Going through the same thing myself right now. Out of nowhere I got a CEL, trac off solid and green multi terrain select flashing.

Took it the dealer and it was a faulty neutral position switch. $540 plus tax for the part. Part number 84540-35060
I wish it was as simple as the gas cap needing to be replaced.

 

[Gabex35]

"Multi-Terrain Select Not Available" + Check Engine Light + TRAC OFF

I had this happen on a recent week long trip in Colorado. Mine is intermittent in that it will come on while driving sometimes and then not be there the next time I start the truck. Other rimes it will be on when I first start the truck. I’ve left it alone since it’s difficult to troubleshoot (without a tool) with it coming and going. I’m going to give the gas cap a go. Fingers crossed

 

[wfo9]

I had this happen on a recent week long trip in Colorado. Mine is intermittent in that it will come on while driving sometimes and then not be there the next time I start the truck. Other rimes it will be on when I first start the truck. I’ve left it alone since it’s impossible to troubleshoot with it coming and going. I’m going to give the gas cap a go. Fingers crossed

Impossible to troubleshoot? Not if you get TIS installed. It will tell you exactly what is going on and will tell you what is history vs current.... Last DTC set... all that. I don't understand why people don't want to spend the time to get the right tools for the job. It will save you so much time... in the long run.

I feel like a broken record.... but these posts are constant and will only become much more frequent as these things age.

 

[TRDORmike]

So I scanned the truck last night. Showed 2 different faults one being a fault for fuel system leak (gas cap) and another for the purge valve.

Performed a purge valve system test which worked flawlessly. Can only see this being the gas cap. I tightened it down and cleared the codes. So far so good with 2 drives of roughly 10 miles. Thanks everyone for the replies and help. Hopefully lights stay off and worst case if it comes back I will just purchase a new fuel cap. My guess is the cap was getting jarred around and then slightly loosened off.

 

[Hônes]

I got those same indications all from the oil filter getting crushed inward by installing it without the perforated metal tube that fell out when I wasn’t looking during an oil change. Slapped it together without that tube on the inside of the new filter and it sucked the middle of the filter down to about half the original diameter which restricted oil flow sufficiently to trigger all those lights plus P0012, P0014, P0022, P0024. Thought I suddenly had all my Camshaft Position Sensors (all 4) and all my VVT Oil Control Valves (all 4) go bad but the odd correlation to immediately following an oil change sent me back in to check what I had worked on last. Sure enough, it was the “new” filter sans metal tube.

Not even sure where the old tube went. Might have come out with the old filter and gotten tossed. Despite doing oil changes for almost three decades, these newer style filters are a bit new and I learned a good lesson on mine. Hoping someone else can benefit from it. I started out reading this post and checked my gas cap and several others that said various sensors. Glad it ended up without a trip to the stealership.

 

[Peyto]

I had the same combo of CEL and warning lights appear. ODB showed P2420 and after some research I figured this was something worth taking to a mechanic. A few guys in the 4th gen forum reported having a wire to the charcoal canister totally sheared off, however my mechanic found a small pinhole in the red wire near the canister that had allowed it to completely corrode through. Hope this helps others!

 

[Rapid_Amble]

Mine threw the same warning lights - TRAC Off, Check Engine, and Multi-Terrain Select Not Available. Cruise control would turn on but not set. Drove fine though.

Codes were P0441 and P0455. Filled up with gas, made sure gas cap was on properly, and cleared the codes. Fingers crossed.

 

[kso818]

Mine did the same thing when I didn't tighten the gas cap all the way. Super annoying how many lights it triggers when a CEL comes on.

 

[Ripper238]

I'm having the same problem now but when I shift into drive it slow to engage and when I put it in reverse I get blinking brackets around the (R).

very frustrating being this is brand-new with 500 miles on it. though I did put a remote start in today so maybe that had something to do with it?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[sbmaru]

found out today dealershit screwed up...

I own a 2017 4Runner with like 21K miles now. Barely any miles cos we only use for road trips since I have my other daily driver.

This weekend went on a family trip and on the way back, right after refilling gas those three lights came on. So we pulled over at the next rest stop and checked everything seemed fine. Drove home coz there wasn't any other choice. We also noticed a rattling, metal clanking sound past few days. Highly noticeable when acceleratin, decelaratin or cruising around 40-50mph.

So drop off the car to the dealership this morning and they came back to me saying all the oil leaked out. They gave me a rental so I could go back to the office, they will clean up the mess and refill the oil. I am sure the light and noise will go away but what about any possible damages internally?? Is this something I should just let go??? Basically drove over 200miles with low oil, and this is the 2nd year so no more Toyota care or so...

Anyone have any advice on how to deal with this??? I am not sure if want another year of free oil changes...

 

[cb1111]

Most CELs will trigger a whole slew of lights on your dash and it is impossible to diagnose without pulling the codes.

Autozone, Advance, O'Reilly etc. will loan you a code reader that will show you generic codes (don't work well with European cars, but fine for US and Asian vehicles). These codes will point you in the right direction.

Once you get the codes, look them up on the internet and you'll be able to resolve it.

If you don't have access to a code reader - and haven't gotten gas recently - then you'll need a trip to the dealer. Not much we can do without the codes.

 

[pDubs]

I own a 2017 4Runner with like 21K miles now. Barely any miles cos we only use for road trips since I have my other daily driver.

This weekend went on a family trip and on the way back, right after refilling gas those three lights came on. So we pulled over at the next rest stop and checked everything seemed fine. Drove home coz there wasn't any other choice. We also noticed a rattling, metal clanking sound past few days. Highly noticeable when acceleratin, decelaratin or cruising around 40-50mph.

So drop off the car to the dealership this morning and they came back to me saying all the oil leaked out. They gave me a rental so I could go back to the office, they will clean up the mess and refill the oil. I am sure the light and noise will go away but what about any possible damages internally?? Is this something I should just let go??? Basically drove over 200miles with low oil, and this is the 2nd year so no more Toyota care or so...

Anyone have any advice on how to deal with this??? I am not sure if want another year of free oil changes...

Not sure why you posted in this thread. BUT that is not good.

You had a bunch of lights come on and you pulled over and checked and "everything seemed fine". Did you check the oil level at that time? Was your oil light on?

ALL of the oil was gone? I have a lot of questions. If you had no oil in your engine and drove it and heard metal clanking sounds your motor may be toast.

 

[OffroadRN]

Not sure if this comment still applies but I just installed a 3" Toytec suspension lift myself and the terrain select came on flashing after. Would not shift into 4wd and would show an error message on the screen saying multi-terrain select could not be enabled. Took it to the dealer, they scanned it and just nothing wrong but just triggered the light after install. Dealer reset with no cost. Hope this helps someone.