'03 v6. Was at a stop light the other day and as soon as I started to accelerateI heard a thud and the VSC light came on, I was accelerating very slowly on clean dry pavement. I puulled to the side of the road and the light went. I have driven the car twice since then for a total of about 10 miles and all seems fine. Bringing the car in Monday so they can check for diagnostic codes. Wanted to know if anyone has heard of a similar problem before I go to the dealer because I'm sure they'll say everyting is fine as they always do.
Thud then VSC Light '03 V6
- Thread starter TPiccoli
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dancojgl
New member
I don't know about the "thud", but I've had VSC/TRAC kick in on me several times on dry pavement, most notably: 1) when turning right from a stop and accelerating hard to get into traffic and up to speed and the rear end starts to break loose, and 2) when accelerating straight ahead and losing traction going over vinyl heat-applied crosswalk stipes, which can be oily and quite slippery...
—Dan
—Dan
Well, the dealer had the car for two days because they were waiting for a diagnostic computer cable. No codes had been stored. So now I drive it and wait to see what happens. I did see a TSB on the VSC system but no details were available, if it happens again I'll call Toyota Corporate.
Still love this truck, just wish the reliability was better. I drove my wifes Lexus RX 330 for two days, hope I don't have to do that again.
Still love this truck, just wish the reliability was better. I drove my wifes Lexus RX 330 for two days, hope I don't have to do that again.
Mark86
Super Moderator
I have had the traction light come on a couple of times on dry pavement. Once I was accelerating hard out of a toll booth. I heard like a skidding noise and I looked at the dash and a yellow light was on. The other time was when I was making a right turn into my driveway and I hit the accelerator. I wouldn't say it was a thumping noise I heard during this, but it was like the tires were struggling to grip the road. I never had the VSC light come on. Only the yellow traction light with the little car and the arrow. VSC didn't even go on when I was driving on ice or snow. Good luck and hopefully this will be resolved soon. You wouldn't want to be seen driving around in your wife's RX330!! 
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2004Runner
New member
Active Traction Control System activity?
As I read your thread, it reminded me of an experience I had about a month ago. I was slowly driving on grass, driving onto pavement, as I was passing through a narrow garage door opening. I was easily under 5mph, but gave a little gas to get off the grass, and over the concrete hump. As the 4Runner went over the hump, I heard a loud thump and an indicator lit up: the car symbol with wavy lines. To tell you the truth, I can't recall if the VSC TRAC warning light came on too. A few seconds later, I was on solid pavement, and the light went out almost as quickly. But, the noise scared the bejesus outta me, and I immediately whipped out the owner's manual.
After flipping through the manual, came across the Active Traction Control System section (4 wheel drive models). It stated the following:
When the active traction control system is operating, the following conditions occur:
* The system controls the spinning of the 4 wheels. At this time, the slip indicator blinks. ((The symbol I described above))
* You may feel vibration or noise in your vehicle, caused by operation of the brakes. This indicates the system is functioning properly.
((I may feel vibration or noise? Hell, I thought someone hit my axle with a hammer))
Now the "VSC TRAC" warning light section just so happens to be the next subject in the manual. It does state that:
"This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in the following:
* Active traction control system
* Vehicle stability control system
* Downhill assist control system
* Hill-start assist control system"
So, perhaps you just experienced slippage (oily pavement on a hot day and/or tire grippage, as you state you were on dry pavement) and the VSC TRAC light came on in regard to an action involving the active traction control system. Check your manual for more information that I cannot come close to cross-referencing here. For the 2004 manual, its on pages 169 onward.
After reading the manual, you will be a master of "if-then" logical reasoning.
Hope this information is of some use. BTW, I've put on at least a 1000 miles or more since that incident, with no problems or warning lights. That was my only horror story to date.
As I read your thread, it reminded me of an experience I had about a month ago. I was slowly driving on grass, driving onto pavement, as I was passing through a narrow garage door opening. I was easily under 5mph, but gave a little gas to get off the grass, and over the concrete hump. As the 4Runner went over the hump, I heard a loud thump and an indicator lit up: the car symbol with wavy lines. To tell you the truth, I can't recall if the VSC TRAC warning light came on too. A few seconds later, I was on solid pavement, and the light went out almost as quickly. But, the noise scared the bejesus outta me, and I immediately whipped out the owner's manual.
After flipping through the manual, came across the Active Traction Control System section (4 wheel drive models). It stated the following:
When the active traction control system is operating, the following conditions occur:
* The system controls the spinning of the 4 wheels. At this time, the slip indicator blinks. ((The symbol I described above))
* You may feel vibration or noise in your vehicle, caused by operation of the brakes. This indicates the system is functioning properly.
((I may feel vibration or noise? Hell, I thought someone hit my axle with a hammer))
Now the "VSC TRAC" warning light section just so happens to be the next subject in the manual. It does state that:
"This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in the following:
* Active traction control system
* Vehicle stability control system
* Downhill assist control system
* Hill-start assist control system"
So, perhaps you just experienced slippage (oily pavement on a hot day and/or tire grippage, as you state you were on dry pavement) and the VSC TRAC light came on in regard to an action involving the active traction control system. Check your manual for more information that I cannot come close to cross-referencing here. For the 2004 manual, its on pages 169 onward.
After reading the manual, you will be a master of "if-then" logical reasoning.
Hope this information is of some use. BTW, I've put on at least a 1000 miles or more since that incident, with no problems or warning lights. That was my only horror story to date.
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