Need help warning lights on

[Sgt. Rock]

Problem with my 2011 SR5, about 85,000 miles

Last week, the check engine light and traction control warning lights came on. They stayed on for a couple of hours and went off. I didn't notice any problems.

Tonight, they came on, suddenly. I also noticed that the gear indicator wasn't on. I tried to manually downshift. The indicator still didn't come on and there was no downshift. The transmission seems to be working normally...automatically.

I tried the cruise control. It wouldn't engage even though the dash indicated that cruise was on...just not activated.

Now, the gear indicator has come back and I can manually down shift and then up shift. The cruise control is also working again, engaging and disengaging normally. The check engine light and traction control lights are still on. There doesn't seem to be any performance issue.

I'll appreciate any thoughts.

 

[flyrv9]

The first thing I'd do is see what codes set the check engine light. That should give you a good idea where to start. Most Auto Parts stores will read the codes for you at no charge; if you don't have an OBDII code reader.

There have been a couple of similar threads with the same or similar symptoms over the last few years. As I remember they were tied to a selector switch that's located on the side of the transmission housing. The problem was due to corrosion getting inside the switch as it's externally mounted. There may be other causes as well.

Another thing to check is for rodent nests and wiring damage - pretty common in the Winter months. Look under the hood in and around the engine and transmission.

If you get codes read (there will probably be more than one) post them and we'll go from there.

 

[Sgt. Rock]

The first thing I'd do is see what codes set the check engine light. That should give you a good idea where to start. Most Auto Parts stores will read the codes for you at no charge; if you don't have an OBDII code reader.

There have been a couple of similar threads with the same or similar symptoms over the last few years. As I remember they were tied to a selector switch that's located on the side of the transmission housing. The problem was due to corrosion getting inside the switch as it's externally mounted. There may be other causes as well.

Another thing to check is for rodent nests and wiring damage - pretty common in the Winter months. Look under the hood in and around the engine and transmission.

If you get codes read (there will probably be more than one) post them and we'll go from there.

Pretty sure that there isn't a rodent problem here at the Jersey Shore, but corrosion in a switch is a real possibility. It was very damp and very rainy here today. Thanks for your ideas. I'll look for the switch tomorrow...it is supposed to be clear and dry.

 

[flyrv9]

Sgt. Rock - here is the thread I was talking about. It's the transmission / neutral selector sw. It throws a P0705 code. This thread has pics and an explanation. It's possible to clean it if not too badly corroded. ***** to get to though! Hope this helps. There are pics in this thread but some are blurred by the photo bucket issue; but some of the later ones are not. Here's a link.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-...g.html?highlight=transmission+selector+switch.