Post-Holiday Lights...

[Wild Thing]

The dreaded CEL / VSC / TRAC light trio lit up on my rig tonight, thankfully after holiday travel. Drove it yesterday without those lights and without issue. Fired it up and drove it down the driveway after they lit up this evening, again without issue. No detectable missing, strange sounds, misbehavior, even after switching into 4LO. I have had a rattle above my muffler, which stops when pressing the muffler up. As all hangers look to be in good order, it may be a loose heat shielding issue that I've yet to diagnose.

After reading a variety of threads related to these lights and gas caps, this thread by BlackWorksInc has been extremely helpful for this rookie: Check Engine, TRAC, AND/OR VSC On? Read Me! - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum. I like the idea of knowing the source of the problem before clearing the codes via battery disconnect. So a code scanner's now at the top o' the shopping list.

One question for y'all: I just did a TPMS bypass within the past few days. Is there any chance this splice might have triggered this issue?

Thanks for your input and suggestions!

 

[y=mx+b]

The dreaded CEL / VSC / TRAC light trio lit up on my rig tonight, thankfully after holiday travel. Drove it yesterday without those lights and without issue. Fired it up and drove it down the driveway after they lit up this evening, again without issue. No detectable missing, strange sounds, misbehavior, even after switching into 4LO. I have had a rattle above my muffler, which stops when pressing the muffler up. As all hangers look to be in good order, it may be a loose heat shielding issue that I've yet to diagnose.

After reading a variety of threads related to these lights and gas caps, this thread by BlackWorksInc has been extremely helpful for this rookie: Check Engine, TRAC, AND/OR VSC On? Read Me! - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum. I like the idea of knowing the source of the problem before clearing the codes via battery disconnect. So a code scanner's now at the top o' the shopping list.

One question for y'all: I just did a TPMS bypass within the past few days. Is there any chance this splice might have triggered this issue?

Thanks for your input and suggestions!

The first course of action with a CEL is to scan the codes. It can be a number of things, and they might not always he obvious from the driver seat.

I have the harbor freight zurich zr4 scanner, does well for me and gives a little bit of info about what was happening when the code came up like rpm, speed, IAT, fuel trims, and a few more I can't remember off the top of my head. I have yet to benefit from those lol, but neat to see that stuff.

 

[Wild Thing]

Excellent. Thanks, Y. That was my next question - scanner recommendation!

Guess it's time to venture into the deep end o' the pool* now that we're in the New Year... :rofl:


* (something more serious than badges, LEDs, grille, decals...)

 

[Wild Thing]

The first course of action with a CEL is to scan the codes. It can be a number of things, and they might not always he obvious from the driver seat.

I have the harbor freight zurich zr4 scanner, does well for me and gives a little bit of info about what was happening when the code came up like rpm, speed, IAT, fuel trims, and a few more I can't remember off the top of my head. I have yet to benefit from those lol, but neat to see that stuff.

Thanks again for the suggestion, Y. The Zurich arrived this afternoon. Plugged it in and it gave me a minor evaporative emissions code that doesn't preclude driving. Relief! Cleared the code and I'll see if it returns. If so, I've found a good tutorial on here to get started:

Code P0456 - When its not the gas cap