Traction control

OUTRNNR said:
Dead mind, huh? How about a graduated Mechancial AND Electrical engineer, who happens to know a thing or two about applied control systems, that wasn't exactly learned from a brochure or magazine.

Does it make you sad that you don't know as much as other people so you think you can justify it by being a smart ass? Bummer for you. :(

You just keep that attitude going, and one day you'll come around an unsuspecting turn and hit some ice and the VSC just might keep you from rolling 15 times...


There's strike 2... Thinking a college education gives you a "get out of ignorance free" card. Huge mistake.

I'm still waiting for you to explain how I was able to live (several times I might add) though the perilous situations without VSC being there to "save my ass". I'm living proof that you don't know what you're talking about.

So the 4Runner computer "senses the vehicle dynamics thousands of times per second". Did Toyota tell you this or are you just speculating?

What exactly is your experience in applied control systems?

I've never heard anyone bill themselves as a "graduated engineer". What program did you graduate from?
 
Stay on topic gents and this thread stays open. If you want to have a pissing contest, then take it to Private Messages so as not to clutter this thread. Last warning...

I wouldn't mind being able to turn off the driving aids when I want to play in a parking lot with some fresh snow or a gravel lot.
 
Getting back on topic...

Ricky- Unless Toyota has made some provisions for you to do this (like provide ECU terminals to jumper), I'm guessing your only hope in doing this gracefully is to try and send the skid control ECU fake rear wheel speed signals. Accomplishing that without harming the sensors or the ECU inputs could prove to be more than a trivial task. Even with nice rosy wheel speed inputs, you still might have problems under wheel spin conditions as your engine RPM will inexplicably increase without a corresponding speed increase at the wheels. It really depends on how omniscient the skid control ECU is. While I've faked out the MPG computer, I've not messed with the wheel speed inputs so I can't relay any first hand experience.
 
Again i'll ask, has anyone tried what Satman suggested? The link he provided had the following instructions for shutting down traction control. I am very interested to know if this would work.


Parts:
- (1) On/Off rocker switch. I used one of the standard factory foglight rocker switches (Toyota part# 550-35976).
- 8' of 18 gauge automotive wire. This is for two lengths between the switch and the master cylinder.
- (2) female spade connectors to be used at the switch
- (2) barrel connectors, crimp-on style.
- Electrical tape
- Heat shrink tubing (optional)
- Zip ties

Tools:
- Wire cutters
- Wire stripper/crimper
- Razor blade

Before doing anything on the 4Runner, I made a wiring harness using the rocker switch, spade connectors, and wiring. The actual distance from where the switch mounts to where you will tie in to the ground wire is very short. I just used two 4' lengths of wire to make sure I had plenty of slack and also to make feeding it through the firewall grommet easier. If you go this route, you can chose to heat shrink the spade connectors and the wire, or use electrical tape.

Once you have the 'harness' made, take it and the barrel connectors to the truck. Pop one of the remaining factory switch blanks out and insert your harness into the void. It may help to pop the fuse access panel off. From there you will need to get the two wires through the firewall grommet (directly below the master cylinder). I found that inserting a long zip tie from the engine compartment side was sufficient to use as a 'fish' tool. You'll need something to guide the wires through the rubber grommet. Gently push your tool of choice through the grommet (above the existing factory harness) until you can see it from under the dash area. Tape your wiring harness to the tool and then gently pull from the engine compartment side. A flashlight comes in handy here.

Once you have pulled the wires through the grommet, check to see if they come in contact with any sharp edges under the dash. In my case, I routed them cleanly and then zip tied them on to existing wire bundles. Now you are ready to identify and cut the correct wire at the master cylinder. Pull the pressure sensor connector out from the master cylinder and undo any tape that keeps it bound to the other harnesses. You will see red, black, and white wires right at the connector. The red wire is the ground wire and is used for this modification. Rather than spend 10 minutes explaining how to expose the wire, I'll just state that you will need to make your splice a few inches back from the connector. Carefully open up the black plastic covering and then the grey shielding that covers the three wires (razor blade). When you have exposed the wires enough, you will need to cut the red wire. Use the crimp-on barrel connectors to attach your new 'harness' to the exposed ends of the red wire. If you have not worked on automotive wiring before, or are unsure of stripping, crimping, etc., please do not attempt this. Once your harness is spliced in and covered (tape or heat shrink), you will want to get everything wrapped again properly. At this point you are almost done.

I situated my rocker switch so that the bottom half is pressed in when it is in the off position. This matches the orientation of my two other rocker switches. If you find that it is reversed, you can simply rotate the switch 180 degrees or switch the connectors on the back of the switch.
For what its worth, I made my own "TRAC OFF" label by scanning the factory TRAC OFF switch, darkening the image, and printing it on a standard mailing label. A few coats of satin polyurethane spray on the actual rocker portion, and it looks pretty damn nifty.

Make sure the pressure connector is plugged back in and start the truck. If the ABS, TRAC and VSC lights come on, then the switch is "On". It's up to you to determine how you want your switch oriented. Once you have it setup so that the switch is in the "Off" position, start the truck and make sure all of the system lights go out. At this point, flip the switch and watch that the lights come on. You have now interrupted the ground for the pressure sensor connector and can operate the truck without any TRAC or VSC intervention. Flip the switch to "Off" and restart the truck. All systems should be back to normal.
 
Iowa4Runner said:
There's strike 2... Thinking a college education gives you a "get out of ignorance free" card. Huge mistake.

I'm still waiting for you to explain how I was able to live (several times I might add) though the perilous situations without VSC being there to "save my ass". I'm living proof that you don't know what you're talking about.

So the 4Runner computer "senses the vehicle dynamics thousands of times per second". Did Toyota tell you this or are you just speculating?

What exactly is your experience in applied control systems?

I've never heard anyone bill themselves as a "graduated engineer". What program did you graduate from?

AH HAHAHAHAHA, Strike Two? What are you the thread umpire? What happens if I post again, will I strike out of this thread!?!?!

Wow. :p

Let me address your concerns:

First of all, I called myself a graduated engineer to show that I'm not still in school and/or speaking out of my ass. Furthermore, I've taken mulitple control theory classes and utilized this training and knowledge in industry. I've analyzed various control systems in vehicles which was a major topic in my education. These control systems included active suspension systems, anti-lock braking systems, stability control systems and the integration of these by using vehicle dynamics (multiple variables) as input.

So to put it a way you can understand, I know enough to be able to tell you that the VSC system in ANY car is programmed to be able to prevent an impending skid. I'm not saying that you couldn't correct it, I'm sure you can drive like Fittapaldi. Also, I'm not saying that the VSC can keep the car under control in ANY condition, after all we still live and die by the rules of physics which is why the computer will try to prevent the "boundries" from being crossed.

Now, I love to spin donuts, hang the tail out around the corner and power on oversteer as much as the next guy, and I can correct it too, maybe not as well you you Mr. Fittapaldi, but I can hold my own. But lets be honest here: There's always a time when you over do it a little and end up facing the wrong way or go off the road a bit or lose control just a little bit, where you aren't really in control, and physics has taken over. For us good drivers, this happens in generally safe low speed situations where the outcome is less than dangerous when we "meant" to do it.

But what happens when you try this at higher speeds? What happens when you have to avoid, say, a deer in the road while your going 60 mph? If you tell me that you can swiftly and safely swerve around the deer and back on the road without any loss of control I'd believe you. But could you do it 10 out of 10 times? If you can't then your in trouble there Mr. Fittapaldi because there are a lot of roads and a lot of deer out there. Another question; Do you think you could you avoid an accident by swerving around a car that ran a red light? Could you do it everyday of the week, day or night? dry or wet? I bet you could. Could you do it 10 out of 10 times? Are you that good? If you can confidently answer yes to those questions, then by all means, disable VSC and never look back. But I GUARANTEE you in those situations VSC would be able to keep the vehicle under control and save your ass. And there's plently of proof out there.

So you keep that attitude/arrogance about your driving skills Mr. Fittapaldi and pretty soon you'll be dead proof that I do know what I'm talking about.

Check ya later pal.
 
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OUTRNNR said:
AH HAHAHAHAHA, Strike Two? What are you the thread umpire? What happens if I post again, will I strike out of this thread!?!?!



Yes. Didn't you read the moderator's warning?

I'll be PMing you later...
 
Two ideas:

1) Has anyone *just* removed the wheel position sensors?

2) What happens when you pull the ABS fuse? Sure, you will also loose ABS, but a 'skilled driver' can get along fine w/o. I seem to remember reading in a C&D article that they pulled the ABS fuse on one of the first '03 4Runners for test purposes.

Please advise, both are easy to do and may get closer to a solution.


J
 
So now an informative, if a bit combative, conversation goes to PM where we will all be protected from being both offended AND informed. That's okay. What could one possibly learn from people with multiple engineering degrees and years of experience in fields related to the thread subject?
 
JB. said:
So now an informative, if a bit combative, conversation goes to PM where we will all be protected from being both offended AND informed. That's okay. What could one possibly learn from people with multiple engineering degrees and years of experience in fields related to the thread subject?
I'll still be happy to answer any questions and give my opinion on any subject related to this topic.

One thing I guess I forgot to mention during all of this is, you can all but completely disable VSC by simply locking the center dif (in 4WD vehicles).

Anything else?
 
JB. said:
So now an informative, if a bit combative, conversation goes to PM where we will all be protected from being both offended AND informed. That's okay. What could one possibly learn from people with multiple engineering degrees and years of experience in fields related to the thread subject?

The problem is that the combative conversation is doing nothing to further Ricky's efforts. In my opinion OUTRNNR does not have the expertise to be making the claims he makes. I can list my professional and academic credentials and build a compelling case as to why we should dismiss some of what he says, but I'm pretty sure nobody cares. I'm not going to waste any more time in this worthless exchange I've been childishly engaged in. It may take a while, but eventually I come to my senses...

OutRNNR - I will not be PMing you.
 
Nothin personal but have you considered purchasing another vehicle that you like better? sounds like you have got your back into this one.....
 

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