New fine-grained VSC OFF Mod for V6 1GR

[chaz]

so KLIV is saying he thinks just putting the vsc switch & relay in will work with any year v8 ecu? i'd imagine since vvt started in 05 that the ECU would be different than an 03, but curious if the 06-09 were the same. i believe the vsc off switch came out in 08, would be great if it also worked on my 06.

 

[Kliv]

I have no V8 to check, but according to wiring diagram, V8'03 should have Trac off switch (or blue connector to install T7 button at least). This mod will help you as well, but it is better to search for blue connector first. In any case you will have to buy the button, so, you might buy it and try to install into existing connector. If it did not work - this mod would resolve the issue.
I checked that all wires have the same color, so, there should be no problems with mod installation to V8.

 

[L.C.]

I have no V8 to check, but according to wiring diagram, V8'03 should have Trac off switch (or blue connector to install T7 button at least). This mod will help you as well, but it is better to search for blue connector first. In any case you will have to buy the button, so, you might buy it and try to install into existing connector. If it did not work - this mod would resolve the issue.
I checked that all wires have the same color, so, there should be no problems with mod installation to V8.

I will check for the blue wire this week when I have the time, do you know if installation of factory trac off switch will disable VSC as well? Or do I need your invention to do this?

Thanks!

 

[Kliv]

do you know if installation of factory trac off switch will disable VSC as well? Or do I need your invention to do this?

From my point of view it should work. If it did not - I would help.

 

[BigEd]

I'm interested in this. I have an 05 V8.

2 questions:

1) Am I right in understanding that this mod will cause the dash VSC lights to work correctly while the previous VSC Off, Atrak On mod will not cause the dash lights to work correctly?

2) will this work with an 05 v8?

Thanks

 

[Kliv]

I'm interested in this. I have an 05 V8.

2 questions:

1) Am I right in understanding that this mod will cause the dash VSC lights to work correctly while the previous VSC Off, Atrak On mod will not cause the dash lights to work correctly?

2) will this work with an 05 v8?

Thanks

1) You are right. VSC lights work correctly with this mod.
2) It was tested on V6 only, but it should work on V8 as well. You might be the first person who tested it with V8 .

 

[DarthSavage]

I am interested in this. Has anyone tried one out yet & can provide feedback.

 

[Doozi]

Did we ever find someone to test this?

 

[Kliv]

rdrunner is installed it. Waiting for feedback.

 

[rdrunner]

Hey guys, I installed it a bit ago and meant to post about it but it stopped working after a couple of weeks. It worked occasionally then not at all so it sound like a loose connection on my part rather than a problem with the unit. I hope to get in there this week and track it down - just been real busy with house stuff. Let my post my install though and I'll update as I find my mistake...

 

[rdrunner]

VSC Install

First you take most of the dash panels off. If you've already done this for a stereo it's real simple. If you've never done it there are very detailed instructions available and my recommendation is - don't be afraid, it's actually really simple. I've done it enough times now messing with my audio setup that I can tear the whole thing down in under 5 minutes and I'm not a Mr. fixit guy.




Here's the view of the back of the instrument panel. I was a little nervous about pulling this out because I hadn't done it before, but ended up just giving it a tug and it popped right out like everything else does.

 

[rdrunner]

Next you have to splice into a couple wires and cut one. Again I was nervous about cutting the wire but you can always splice it back together, right? Well, no problem and this is the only one you have to cut. All the others are just tapped into. You may notice the connector. I found these online and they're really slick. Very small and very quick and they only leave a small hole instead of messing up your wire if you remove it. Will post link.

HOWEVER I've never used these before and I expect this is what's causing my loose connection. I just didn't want to go in and solder everything. I'm good at doing that on a desk but not so good at doing it in spots like this. Either way I'll be trying to check all these connections to see where the loose one is.


More spliced


All of the ones behind the instrument panel done

 

[rdrunner]

Here's the slick little unit. Let me say it's very small and seems well done. the leads are plenty long and have been tinned at the ends. The method for sealing it up is simple and pretty slick actually - just a tube heat sealed at each end.




I wrapped it up to make sure it didn't introduce any rattles...


...tucked it away behind that gray piece and put the instrument panel connectors back in place.

 

[rdrunner]

Next is tapping into the VSC brain so to speak. This took me a long time because it seems it's in two different locations depending on the year maybe? Anyway, the instructions say here:


If you knew which exact wire to tap into you could do it here as it runs through a bundle at this point but I wasn't absolutely sure so I dug through the other VSC install and tapped into it at the brain which on mine is located under the glove box. This just means a longer wire from the brain I guess but it's real easy to get to.


Last is the switch. I bought the switch not realizing you needed a harness as well. I had taken the switches apart and soldered them in the past but wasn't going to on this thinking this was a better way to do it. So after getting the harness I saw it doesn't have any of the pin connectors in it. More searching and I found those. Simple to put in, a pain to find if you don't already have some. I'll post a link for what I got as I couldn't find them local. Luckily I did all this before ripping everything apart. You can see I've never done this stuff before because some of you are probably rolling your eyes right now. It's all good, right?

So, right off the bat everything worked great. Psyched! What I love is I can be sitting at my driveway and just tap it if I need to jump out in traffic (busy street) without having to go through anything. Without this I'd have to just not do it unless it was winter and slick in which case I'd have to put it in 4wd, back up until it engages, pull back up to the street and go - all while trying to hurry and get the kids to school on time or whatever. Can't wait to play in the snow with it.

I'll post again after I figure out my connection problem, just hope I don't have to go and solder stuff (lazy, I know).

 

[Doozi]

Thanks for the write-up rdrunner! I'm curious to hear what you find... it certainly sound like a connection issue. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[BCfish]

Yeah I'm very interested in you outcome as well.

 

[Kliv]

rdrunner, thank you for detailed feedback!
As for VSC OFF wire - I did not realise it at the beginning, but starting from 2005 Toyota moved the Skid Control CPU into the hood space. That is why you was unable to find the box.

As for loosing connection - please let me know what exactly does not work and I'll give you my guess about the wire to check.

 

[Coldnapalm]

so i need all this just to for a vsc cancel switch?

 

[Doozi]

so i need all this just to for a vsc cancel switch?

... to get a VSC Cancel switch that works like the factory version without all of the warning lights, yes. There is another mod that adds a switch, but it throws warning lights and there are some sequencing concerns. Others have just disconnected the system... turns VSC off, but lights the warning lights. I'd just like to have the option to disable it (without warning lights) and think it's a bit cheaper than finding an '08+! ;-)

 

[theben]

I would like to do this install and will post my experience once completed if I can get my hands on a unit. PM sent.