Neutral Safety Switch

[VolcanoT4R]

I've been troubleshooting a VSC/TRAC off light issue for a while. All signs point to needing to replace the neutral safety switch. Apparently, the one on the 2001 SR5 isn't serviceable like previous versions.

Does anyone know if the neutral safety switch on a 99 Limited is compatible? I know it's a different part number, but wasn't sure if they were interchangeable. Local pick-n-save has a 99 limited that I could likely get one off for cheap. They also have an 03 Tundra which is the same as the 01, but if I can get one that is serviceable then that's what I'd prefer to do.

Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[VolcanoT4R]

In case anyone is interested...the PNP (neutral safety) switch from the 99 4Runner IS NOT compatible with the 01 T4R.

For the 01, the part number is 84540-30320 (MSRP $257.02) and is used on the following vehicles:

01-04 Sequoia
00-03 Tundra
01-02 4Runner
99-08 Lexus GS300 (3000CC and 4300CC)
06-08 Lexus GS300 (3500CC)
99-05 Lexus GS300 (4000CC)
01-05 Lexus IS300

I picked one up with the wiring harness at a nearby pick-n-save for $10. Cheapest I could find it on eBay was $120 (although I didn't search for very long).

Hope it works!

 

[LittleCaesar]

I didn't know that any neutral safety switch was serviceable, but I will go with it.

Let us know if the yard one cleans up your issue.

 

[JayRolla]

Every neutral switch that has failed for me on other vehicles would cause a no start. Thats the point of the sensor. If it fails your car would think you could be in gear so it wont fire up for safety. Hope it fixes it for yea.

 

[VolcanoT4R]

I didn't know that any neutral safety switch was serviceable, but I will go with it.

Let us know if the yard one cleans up your issue.

Here's the neutral safety switch from the '01 t4r...instead of screws, it has "pop-rivets" (?)

Every neutral switch that has failed for me on other vehicles would cause a no start. Thats the point of the sensor. If it fails your car would think you could be in gear so it wont fire up for safety. Hope it fixes it for yea.

I haven't had any "no start" issues YET, but the "P" light is always on regardless of what gear I am in, and the VSC off and TRAC off lights come on almost as soon as I move it.

DTC code reads "37" which according to the FSM has to do with the PNP switch. Replaced the PNP switch, and no change. Only thing left to replace is the skid control ECM.

Question, there are two different part numbers for the 01-02 skid control ECM:

89540-35260 (w/o 16" wheels)
89540-35270 (w/ 16" wheels)

My '01 SR5 came with 15" wheels, so I have 89540-35260, but I have since put on 16" "5-star" wheels...which one do I need?

And, FWIW, the lights were on before I put on the 16" wheels.

 

[VolcanoT4R]

Solved

While searching for what steps may be required to "reprogram" a skid control ECU before pulling the trigger on a used one I found on car-parts.com I found this thread

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/108523-vsc-off-trac-vsc-lights-both-came.html

Many thanks to [MENTION=40945]quicksilvr[/MENTION] and [MENTION=57546]4-Ripcord[/MENTION] for hashing out their VSC/TRAC light issues in the forum.

Turns out that the LEDs I installed were at fault. One annoying thing crossed off the list and many lessons learned. Now, thanks to [MENTION=98153]MStudt[/MENTION] and his write-up http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/167962-andy-mod-2-0-w-real-trac-off-switch.html, I can do the AndyMod 2.0 with a factory TRAC OFF switch.

Thanks [MENTION=69868]LittleCaesar[/MENTION] and [MENTION=50342]JayRolla[/MENTION] for the help.

 

[jgue467]

How exactly?

...Turns out that the LEDs I installed were at fault...

were the LEDs at fault? Just trying to understand so i don't repeat this....thanks!

 

[VolcanoT4R]

were the LEDs at fault? Just trying to understand so i don't repeat this....thanks!

It would appear so...changed out the LEDs with normal bulbs, cleared the DTC, and went for a test drive...NO LIGHTS! :biggrin2:

According to [MENTION=80367]Gerjer89[/MENTION] from the thread that I referenced...

"Yes I will explain. The reason why it threw a code is because the skid plate ecu monitors the voltage level of the trac system. By putting led lights(low resistance, therefore increase in voltage), the skid plate ecu saw that voltage jump up, which isnt normal, which it thinks that there is a problem with the trac system due to the voltage just going up suddenly. All the ecu does is monitor voltage, so that's why it turn on the trac light because of the voltage level going up which it's not use to seeing. I can gurateen u that it's the led bulb that u put in the prndl(cluster). Report back."

Wish I knew how to quote from one thread to another, but that's the copy-and-pasted version.