Slippery light need help !

J

JT3HN86R

New member
2001 4Runner SR5 4WD.

This morning I put the truck in 4 high. Everything was fine. I came to a stop and when I went to take off, the sliding truck light came on on the dash and the truck didn't want to go. You know how the VSC works and if the wheels are slipping, it wont take off, it cuts the power to the entire engine and drivetrain. Anyway, it took off after a few seconds and the light went off. I drove about a half mile and pulled over to see if I could duplicate it. And the light came on and no power for about two seconds and then the truck took off again. IT did not happen again after I came to a stop.

Anyone know whats going on here?

Thanks
 
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I don't have VSC but isn't this a fairly well known problem with it? Not sure what the cause is. It's one of the reasons I avoided an 01 - 02 when I was shopping for mine.

Not sure what the fix is short of disabling the VSC. Can you do that by removing a fuse like you can with the ABS?
 
I have searched to try and find what causes it and if it is common, but I haven't been able to find much. If it only happens occasionally, it won't be too bad. But if I am on my way up my steep snowy driveway it could cause problems. I guess I can just lock the diff to cancel out the VSC. If anyone else can add anything it would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
annoying isn't it? a long time ago a found a mountain I couldn't climb because of this. about 3 quarters up up my tires started spinning, the gas slowly shut down and going up no mas! :(
It sounds pretty normal to me if i read your post right.
 
GottaBeTRD said:
annoying isn't it? a long time ago a found a mountain I couldn't climb because of this. about 3 quarters up up my tires started spinning, the gas slowly shut down and going up no mas! :(
It sounds pretty normal to me if i read your post right.
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I think if you press the diff lock on the left of the steering wheel, the VSC goes off. Can you drive on dry pavement with the diff lock on?

I guess in the snow you can just use the diff lock all the time to avoid the VSC?

thanks everyone.
 
JT3HN86R said:
I think if you press the diff lock on the left of the steering wheel, the VSC goes off. Can you drive on dry pavement with the diff lock on?

I guess in the snow you can just use the diff lock all the time to avoid the VSC?

thanks everyone.
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I would not, and do not, lock the diff on snowy/slippery roads. That is a great way for the rear to spin out. It IS a great way to do donuts, if that is what you are going for.

Also having diffs locked on snowy/slippery trails when off chamber is a great way to put your rig in the ditch.
 
Gerdo said:
I would not, and do not, lock the diff on snowy/slippery roads. That is a great way for the rear to spin out. It IS a great way to do donuts, if that is what you are going for.

Also having diffs locked on snowy/slippery trails when off chamber is a great way to put your rig in the ditch.
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So, if the VSC comes on and you are trying to navigate up a snowy driveway, what else can you do except turn the VSC off by locking the diff? I suppose you could put the truck in 4Low but is that really necessary? Why is there a diff lock then ? When else would you use it?
 
JT3HN86R said:
So, if the VSC comes on and you are trying to navigate up a snowy driveway, what else can you do except turn the VSC off by locking the diff? I suppose you could put the truck in 4Low but is that really necessary? Why is there a diff lock then ? When else would you use it?
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Your options for the VSC are: leave it stock and work with the VSC and it's issues or do the "Andy Mod"

You can use the diff lock to turn off the VSC but the rear will tend to slide around more. The more off camber and/or the more you have to turn the worse it will want to fishtail.

Going into 4Lo isn't going to increase traction, just torque.

The rear diff lock is mainly for wheeling. It can be used in the snow but again as mentioned above it can slide the tail.

A few years ago I was wheeling with a rig that had auto lockers and going across an off camber trail it went into the low side ditch, had to winch out. I drove thru with little issues and I was open/open. The non-drive wheel would actually roll and hang onto the trail keeping me out of the ditch.

With a axle diff locked it wants to go straight. When you go to turn one of the wheels HAS to slip and you instantly loos traction.

Do you have a center diff lock? The 01-02 (don't know if its some or all) have a differential inside the transfer case (center diff). This changes the vehicle from an "all wheel drive" (center diff un-locked) to a 4wd vehicle (center diff locked). All wheel drive vehicle's drivetrain have the ability to drive on dry pavement without drivetrain bind because of the diff in the transfer case. This also reduces the traction available. It's like having an open/open/open vehicle. the power will actually go to the wheel with the least traction. If the center is locked (or a conventional transfer case) then the front and rear diffs are open. this will send power the tow tires with the least traction.

When/why do you use an axle locker? When wheeling and you start to lift tires you unload those tires. If/when you have crossed tires unloaded, all your power will go to those tires and you will have two spinning/unloaded tires and you will be going no where.
 
As with most new technology, when VSC came out on the 01-02 it wasn't as good as the systems on new vehicles. Some might say that it is horrible.
 
Gerdo said:
Your options for the VSC are: leave it stock and work with the VSC and it's issues or do the "Andy Mod"

You can use the diff lock to turn off the VSC but the rear will tend to slide around more. The more off camber and/or the more you have to turn the worse it will want to fishtail.

Going into 4Lo isn't going to increase traction, just torque.

The rear diff lock is mainly for wheeling. It can be used in the snow but again as mentioned above it can slide the tail.

A few years ago I was wheeling with a rig that had auto lockers and going across an off camber trail it went into the low side ditch, had to winch out. I drove thru with little issues and I was open/open. The non-drive wheel would actually roll and hang onto the trail keeping me out of the ditch.

With a axle diff locked it wants to go straight. When you go to turn one of the wheels HAS to slip and you instantly loos traction.

Do you have a center diff lock? The 01-02 (don't know if its some or all) have a differential inside the transfer case (center diff). This changes the vehicle from an "all wheel drive" (center diff un-locked) to a 4wd vehicle (center diff locked). All wheel drive vehicle's drivetrain have the ability to drive on dry pavement without drivetrain bind because of the diff in the transfer case. This also reduces the traction available. It's like having an open/open/open vehicle. the power will actually go to the wheel with the least traction. If the center is locked (or a conventional transfer case) then the front and rear diffs are open. this will send power the tow tires with the least traction.

When/why do you use an axle locker? When wheeling and you start to lift tires you unload those tires. If/when you have crossed tires unloaded, all your power will go to those tires and you will have two spinning/unloaded tires and you will be going no where.
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Thanks for that post. Full of information that I knew nothing about. I really don't wheel at all. We live on a steep gravel road and use the Runner to get home when it snows. I have not had the 4Runner in the snow yet, so I don't know how the VSC reacts if the truck starts to spin up hill in the snow. I am thinking the only way to get up the hill will be to use the lock. Does this make sense?
 
JT3HN86R said:
Anyone ???
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i had issues with mine when i would take left sweeping turns (ie onto freeways) it would beep and felt like it was pumping the brakes... not safe. i took it to the dealership and had them recalibrate the VSC system and it has been fine for the past few months. it was about $100 for them to hook it up to the computer (ripoff) but at least now my 4runner is safe. I found a post on yotatech which showed how to reset it by shorting something out with a coat hanger but it didnt work for me.
 
JT3HN86R said:
Thanks for that post. Full of information that I knew nothing about. I really don't wheel at all. We live on a steep gravel road and use the Runner to get home when it snows. I have not had the 4Runner in the snow yet, so I don't know how the VSC reacts if the truck starts to spin up hill in the snow. I am thinking the only way to get up the hill will be to use the lock. Does this make sense?
Click to expand...

Does your have the center diff lock?

If I were you and driving up your snowy drive I would... put it in 4Hi, lock the center diff and give it a try. If you can't make it and the drive doesn't slope off to the side too much then try the rear diff lock.

Once you are on the road unlock the rear diff and if there is some snow then you can unlock the center diff. If the snow on the roads is deep, leave the center locked.
 
Yes, it does have the center diff lock. The road is only 12 feet wide and nothing but grassy fields on either side, no where to "fall off" the road. I guess I will see what happens this winter. I sure hope the wheels don't spin. After all this is a 4WD vehicle.
 
Sounds like you need Zero Point Recalibration from a dealer. A ripoff I know, but will remedy your problems most likely. VSC sucks, and there isn't much this side of the AndyMod that we (01-02 owners) can do about it. TRAC is great actually (not as good as A-TRAC, but similar), and we all know VSC is the devil; with a couple exceptions involving too much speed and not enough traction:thumb3:
 
KellyJ said:
Sounds like you need Zero Point Recalibration from a dealer. A ripoff I know, but will remedy your problems most likely. VSC sucks, and there isn't much this side of the AndyMod that we (01-02 owners) can do about it. TRAC is great actually (not as good as A-TRAC, but similar), and we all know VSC is the devil; with a couple exceptions involving too much speed and not enough traction:thumb3:
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The owner's manual doesn't even explain TRAC. Can you tell me more about it?
I know the VSC is vehicle skid control. What does TRAC stand for and better yet, what is the funtion?

thanks in advance
 
JT3HN86R said:
The owner's manual doesn't even explain TRAC. Can you tell me more about it?
I know the VSC is vehicle skid control. What does TRAC stand for and better yet, what is the funtion?

thanks in advance
Click to expand...

01-02 4Runners were equipped with both VSC and TRAC. You already know what VCS does, but TRAC is the active traction control that keeps the wheels from spinning when they don't have any traction. Ugh I wish I had a 2000 with no electronic nannies. No fun off road/in the snow unless you do the Andymod 2.0 or pull the ABS fuse.
 
KellyJ said:
01-02 4Runners were equipped with both VSC and TRAC. You already know what VCS does, but TRAC is the active traction control that keeps the wheels from spinning when they don't have any traction. Ugh I wish I had a 2000 with no electronic nannies. No fun off road/in the snow unless you do the Andymod 2.0 or pull the ABS fuse.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the explanation. This forum and its users are the BEST.
I learn a bunch from you guys.
 
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