One cause & fix for "VSC TRAC" & "VSC OFF" lights, Zero Point Calibration

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Please help.

So i honestly don't remember when or what caused my lights to come on, but they have been on for the past 8-9 months.

I tried this a little while ago, maybe 30 minutes. I followed the directions of TSB BR005-03 (I have a 2003 SR5 2WD V8) and I found that TSB On Toyota 120, and according to what I read since I have a 2003 I have the older protocol (the ISO instead of the CAN) and that is what TSB BR005-03's directions use, from what I understand.

Now after shorting it 4 times within 8 seconds, its the ABS light that flashes, not the VSC. The Trac light goes off.

Can someone tell me why it is the ABS light and not the VSC? After going through, turning it off after disconnecting, and turning it back in, off and reconnecting, the ABS light is the one quick flashing, when it should be the VSC.

PLEASE HELP! Any & all help is appreciated.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Also I should add the lights are on all the time, not like others that you have to move or turn the wheel and they come on. They are on all the time.

Again and and all help is appreciated.

 

[ysrsquid]

Thanks for posting! This worked like a charm on my '04 4Runner.

 

[rebelbowtie]

[No message]

 

[rebelbowtie]

apparently the quick reply and multi quote features are broken causing errors. I just lost a detailed, multi paragraph post.

 

[tadhurst]

4WD, cat converter, and VSC lights

My story is consistent with all of the above, but here is a specific descriptions and solution.

On two occasions I had the CEL and the two VSC lights come on. In both cases, I was driving 200 miles with the 4WD on.

The CEL code was T0430 (cat converter).

Running the zero-point calibration when as described, but the lights came back on within seconds of restarting.

So, I cleared the CEL, then did the zero-point recalibration. The CEL came back on (T0430), as did the VSC related lights. I cleared the CEL again, and all of the lights are off and have stayed off.

This fix was reproduced on the second occurrence of the issue.

It seems strange that the cat converter has anything to do with VSC, maybe a bug in the computer system. I may in fact have a WEAK CAT that gets triggered when the 4WD is on, and perhaps the efficiency is a little lower and stresses the CAT. So far no return of lights in 2WD mode!

 

[ysrsquid]

My story is consistent with all of the above, but here is a specific descriptions and solution.

On two occasions I had the CEL and the two VSC lights come on. In both cases, I was driving 200 miles with the 4WD on.

The CEL code was T0430 (cat converter).

The zero point calibration will not give a CEL (check engine light) or error code to a code reader. If your CEL is on along with the VSC and TRAC then you have a separate problem.

Error code 430 is for second sensor on second bank (for 4th gen 4Runners this is the O2 sensor after the catalyetic converter on the passenger side). It could also be the air fuel ratio sensor that is upstream of the cat or the cat itself.

 

[Jprice!]

So I tried this and the lights stay off until the truck moves then they come back on

 

[Celia_E]

Hey guys,

New to the forum but I have been reading it for a while.
I had the aforementioned lights come on from time to time, they would reset after driving the car a couple of days. They always came on when going over bumps or similar, so I thought they may be loose wiring or something.
Last time they came on they stayed on. 3 weeks!
So, after doing some reading here, I did the zero point calibration (took me 5 minutes!) and voila, no lights!!! Yay!! Thank you MicaBlue03 for the information.

Drive safe,

Celia

 

[Ernest1863]

I tried performing the Zero Point calibration the other day on my T4R and observed that when I touched the CG & TS wires 4 times per the TSB instruction, that, both my ABS light and the VSC Trac light began to flash. I continued regardless and completed the procedure but my lights are still on (VSC TRAC and VSC TRAC OFF). I have repeated the calibration several times but no luck. Any ideas please?

PLEASE tell me you figured this out ray:

 

[csevel]

This has been driving me frick crazy!! First the XREAS suspension failed on my '04 V8 Sport, so I replaced it with FJ coils and Bilstein shocks. It threw the ABS lights and VSC lights so we repaired the rightside ABS wires. Then, we had all the VSC trac, ABS and parking brake lights illuminated so we checked the codes. Codes read to replace the left speed sensor and wires...did so to the tune of $450. Then it was throwing codes to replace the relay switch $55. Did that. Check. Then the lights only came on intermittently. Parking brake light was on with the ABS on random occasions. My mechanic spent three separate times using his equipment and flow charts to diagnose and humbly told me to go to the dealership. So, finally got fed up and reluctantly went to the 'stealership'. For $75 they did the zero point. Never even made it out of the parking lot before the lights came back on. Steered right back in and the technician was baffled. He took a decent amount of time with me and basically told me to use 'black electrical tape' to deal with the lights. He used a voltmeter on all of the contact points and said everything checks out okay. My hubby and I did the TSB tonight to the letter, and we couldn't get the lights to shut off after step 7. Warning light just won't shut off. I'm so disappointed. Have to figure out if the ABS even work now. I Even tried the battery disconnection and an in-home OBDII connection diagnosis. I am in no mood to think about a new ECU computer. I just want the lights to go OFF! What in the heck is going on??.. I love my Runner, it's my second one and I want it to go 300K+ Please someone help me figure it out! If I sell it, wouldn't it alert someone to possible issues??

 

[DimAciD]

worked!!

2003 4Runner SR5 4wd
History:
- had check engine come on Code P0420 and P0430.
- VSC Trac VSC off.

First i bought Caltalic Cleaner - helped until i filled up again (400km)
Sea Foamed the engine, left overnight, started it and reved only slightly (used full can of seafoam)
Check engine never came back on.

Today I followed the procedure to reset the lights - DONE! no lights on my claster at all! :zoom:
Instead of contacting wires i made a lil cheat cord, Momentary contact button normaly open, two wires and paper clip ends - this way i can seat confortably and read instructions while pressing button
:amen:

 

[bj20_0]

VSC & TRAC Lights Stay On

Went for smog check, returned with the two lights coming on when I moved the truck. Followed the procedure described here and the problem fixed.
Haven't been this happy since I ran over that pesky jeep!

Here is the service notice for the procedure:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/problems-warranty-issues/32818-one-cause-fix-vsc-trac-vsc-off-lights-zero-point-calibration.html

'03 4Runner

I've had this T4R since new, and have had ZERO problems with it.

 

[bubba 10]

I can't figure out why a bad catalytic converter would cause the stability/traction control to stop functioning, but others have reported this as well. That doesn't seem like good design on Toyota's part.

The bad converter does turn on the check engine light, though, and that reminded me of advice I've heard from several sources: If you've got the check engine light on, read the standard OBDII trouble codes and look at that stuff first.

Code readers of several types are getting cheaper, and I think it's a good idea to have one if you're going to do much of your own work or if you hope to learn more to protect yourself from incompetent or dishonest service departments. If you've read the code yourself you can sometimes stop the service folks from selling you a load of something you don't need. Also, the code readers can often be used to reset the check engine light to see if the problem was a isolated event.

The regular code readers can't do everything that the Toyota-specific testers (typically at dealerships) can do. That includes programming new keys and reading or resetting a bunch of Toyota-specific parameters. Fortunately some of that Toyota-specific stuff can be done by manipulating pins of the OBDII connector and watching lights in the instrument cluster. Instructions are in the service manual, and you can get temporary access through alldata.com if you don't want to buy those expensive volumes.

All this applies to the pre-CAN bus 4Runners. I don't know if things changed after the bus protocol switch--maybe others who have the service manuals can enlighten us.[/QUOTE Same problem. I did the tsb 6 times incorrectly, 7th time got it right. Lights went off, have remained off for 120 miles. I also had a loud squak coming from the brake booster each time it energized. That is also gone. Thanks for the valuable info. Now I can sleep.

 

[Dean32]

Work for a Celica Gen7?

Hi everyone,

Sorry to crash the forum and not owning a 4Runner, but I have a Gen7 Celica 2003 and have the same problem with the VSC and TRAK OFF warning lights on my dash.

Could anyone tell me if the recallibration as described would work for me also?

i have been trwaling the Internet for a resolution and came accross his orum that seem to have the answer?

Many Thanks,

 

[Alex01Sr5]

vsc light on and trac light on and checking light

will this work for a 2001 sr5

 

[saaggie]

Great Info As Always

Just a GREAT BIG THANKS! The recalibration seems to have fixed my issue. Just replaced both front calipers and pads. Those nasty lights came on and not from Code PO430. Simple, quick fix.

Awesome!

 

[mahabali]

Just did this and it worked! Thanks!

 

[V8 Runner]

Tried it multiple times and the lights are still on :wtf:

 

[ronnyg801]

^^^^same. I may try and get more fancy with wires etc tomorrow but a paper clip did NOT work, nor did a short length of wire.

I think it is also time I get my own code reader and doing all my own maintenance again, I feel like I have not had as good of service as I should have from toyota,