No, I didn't search first....(roll eyes now, then read please)

[Boardmember]

Daughter called this afternoon from college. "Dad, my check engine light and the picture of the car with the squiggly lines under it are on and my 'VSC OFF' light is blinking. I turned the ignition off a couple times and checked my gas cap. That didn't help."

Crap. 80k miles, 2wd, SR5. What (might) up?

 

[murderit]

My catalytic converter failed and that happened. Depends on if there was anything else happening I suppose - car smoking for example.


'07 4Runner 4.0 4x4
K&N Cold Air Intake
Doug Thorley Long Tube Headers
Icon 2" Lift Kit
N-fab Nerf Bars
2015 TRD Rims with 31" Nitto Tires
Weathertech Floor Mats
JL Stealthbox 10" 500 Watt mdx Sub
Brush Guard with Rigid Light Bar
Cordura Ballistic Tactical Seat Covers
GOBI Stealth Rack (soon)

 

[CXS]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/100764-cel-vsc-off-vsc-trac-swervy-car-light-help.html

 

[fdbyrne]

If the check engine light is on, the 4Runner already knows what is wrong with it. Just tell her to take it to the nearest auto parts store and have them pull the error codes. If you tell us what codes are firing we can probably tell you what's wrong with it.

 

[Boardmember]

Thanks CXS.

I hope it's the gas cap, but concerned it may not be. I bought the car two years ago, Certified.

I hope if it's something other than cap, it's covered.

 

[CXS]

Nope, not the cap. I'll go for a bad O2 sensor at that mileage.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/151487-check-engine-trac-vsc-read-me.html

 

[Boardmember]

Thanks Blackworks. You obviously have some technical/logic/communication skills and I appreciate the read. You make some salient points.

(I read your first post and didn't think you were inappropriately curt with the next immediate response, but...)

I will have her take the 4R to a trusted dealership service department. I will call him and yes, I know I am fortunate to be able to do that.

They will run diagnostics and let me know. I'm almost hoping he doesn't tell me it's the gas cap, I'd be embarrassed to post that result. Ok. Maybe not. $30 sounds pretty attractive...

Thanks guys.

 

[YotaDriver]

Before just accepting that it "isn't the gas cap", you should have your daughter disconnect the negative side of the battery for a few minutes after she's made sure the gas cap it on tight. I say this because it can take several cycles of the ignition and up to 100 miles to clear the check engine light organically once the gas cap has been seated properly. Always rule out the cheapest possible explanation before moving on to anything more complex, I say.

 

[SoSoRunner]

I just went through the same thing with my 06 sport 4x4 128,xxx miles and it was in fact the gas cap. You need to read the code or codes and see if it's the P0456 (small evap leak) code. Fortunately I have a code reader I got off Amazon for $30 and was able to clear the code.

I ordered a new gas cap and it hasn't happened since.

 

[gfluff]

My wife gas cap'd my 4runner not long ago. It was the first thing I checked when I saw the lights, and it was super loose, but the lights didn't go off after 5-10 restarts/cycles. I ended up disconnecting the battery one afternoon and that solved it. I was about to order a code scanner/resetter tool, but nope...

 

[Boardmember]

Dang, people. There's too much work and info provided here that I appreciate for me to report page 2. But I will...

I called trusted service advisor at trusted dealership. Wife picked up daughter's 4R and took it to them. Code said "GAS CAP." Or some such. He checked it, told wife it clicked shut appropriately and re-set (turned off) the warning lights.

Wife filled tank and returned truck to campus.

I did read everything. And I learned something (or two). I hope this is the end of this adventure.

 

[Boardmember]

LIGHTS BACK ON.

dealership says new gas cap time.


Ok. We'll see.