Normal ? Vsc no power at all in snow on slight grade

[NOT ME OR SOMEBODY]

When trying to get into my driveway with Runner in 4 wheel high gear ( an uphill grade ) in the snow, the tires lose traction and engine power drops to a level that is not enough to move the truck at all. Gas pedal to the floor and it just sits there and won't move. If I let off the gas and try again as soon as a wheel slips same thing. Is this Normal or........

 

[chaz]

dont know what year u have but if its 01 or 02 try locking the center diff, that will turn off vsc, or u can just not gun it , go slowly, & let atrac do its thing. u could also do the vsc off mod which will help out alot in ur driveway. Disabling VSC & TRAC - 2001-2002 4Runner with VSC & TRAC Systems - YotaTech Forums

 

[NOT ME OR SOMEBODY]

Thanks, It's a 2001. It does ok when in 4 wheel low w/ center diff locked, but in 4 wheel high and even not gassing it much at all a wheel always seems to slip, and immediately as soon as that happens it not going anywhere. I can't get a bit of wheel spin at all. Seems weird to me that this is normal for what is considered a very capable 4wd vehicle? I was just wondering if they all do this or if mine was doing different than the norm. If I knew for certain this is the way they all operate Imay consider the MOD.

 

[toyfour]

i could be wrong but i believe its abnormal for this to happen. How steep is the grade of your driveway? I have an 01 and have yet to have the vsc engage due to wheel spinning. I let the snow pile up this winter, after awhile i had quite a large mound of snow entering my drive, i would sometimes get stuck, tire's spinning and would be able to floor it and slowly work my way through it. this would be with 2wd, 4wd/awd, if i lock the center, i climb right through, not always as fun though.

 

[JohnsD90]

It's very normal as traction control blows, many people have the same issue as you, they use make an on off switch for the traction control to aleviate the problem. Someone may know the thread that shows how to do it.

 

[NOT ME OR SOMEBODY]

1 normal 1 abnormal

Thanks for replying: hmmm.... Seems some differences, 1 for normal and 1 for abnormal so far. I guess I'm hoping its abnormal so I could then figure out what wrong and what needs fixed, because it does stink to have to go to low and lock then stop to go back to 4wd high anytime 4wd capability is really needed. ( like getting up the driveway ??? ) The drive way is not steep our Honda All Wheel Drive motors right up it.

I've had this truck for almost three years and it's only got 98,000 on it and has been great so far.

I'm building the " She don't know money " up for a build up. First a lift then a bumper and winch then..........????

 

[JohnsD90]

The fix is the traction control on off switch, many other members do it, but today is a saturday and most members aren't on the board on weekends as they are during the week,

 

[chaz]

try locking the center diff in 4hi. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/12-01-up-4wd-system-trac-vsc-torsen-t-3-a.html

 

[vthokie]

try locking the center diff in 4hi. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/12-01-up-4wd-system-trac-vsc-torsen-t-3-a.html

Agreed. Lock the center diff before you pull into your driveway when your in 4hi. vsc and trac (i think its both) will cut off. You shouldn't loose any power then.

 

[cfranck1]

Agreed. Lock the center diff before you pull into your driveway when your in 4hi. vsc and trac (i think its both) will cut off. You shouldn't loose any power then.

Yes, lock the center diff before you pull in driveway. My 01 is the same way. It only cuts off VSC. Trac is active in all postions. Which has it's advantages and disadvantages.

It's normal. The system intentionally cuts the engine power when the wheels slip (and is very overreactive).

Agree it's normal. But the VSC it what kills the throttle, not the ATRAC. That's why you would lock center diff to shut off VSC to power thru.

 

[NOT ME OR SOMEBODY]

Thanks to everyone

The system has its positives and negatives it seems.

The stopping shifting and locking to get up a hill then stopping shifting and unlocking to get back to a more normal mode is something I can do without much difficulty ( I'm an Skilled trades Guy that deals with complex electrical / mechanical stuff all the time ), but to expect say.... my Wife or others to do it without fail is doubtful.

I'm glad to find out its normal and not in need of repair.

Thanks Again ! ! !

 

[THEREALTOR1]

My 01' does the same thing if there's snow on the driveway (I've probably got about a 30-35 degree grade) As others have suggested, I just put it in 4H (which i'm usually driving around in anyway if there's snow on the ground) and gun it, that should get you up there.

How are your tires? My old tires still probably had about another 5000-10000 miles left on them (about 3/8" tread i'd guess), but these trucks seem to slide/spin all over the place when the tires start to get worn. I put new tires on about a month ago, and its like night and day. Like any girl, she loves her new shoes

 

[chaz]

u dont have to stop to shift into 4wd H, then when ur at the bottom of ur driveway, lock the C diff. if ur saying u can only get up the driveway , which isnt that steep, using 4wd L, maybe u need different tires.