VSC Light Pops on with weight distribution

[TeryT]

I tightened down my weight distribution adjustment on my trailer to maximum today, to see if I could get the vehicle to level out better. At about 3/4 adjustment the back end usually sags some, making headlights a little high.

As soon as I did this, the VSC & Traction Control lights came on, showing the system had disabled itself. I turned off the ignition, and it reset, but the lights quickly came back on. When I backed off the weight distribution some, the lights went off.

What is it that the system does not like? The trailer tongue is around 700, which is the 4Runner's maximum. By tightening the weight distributing spring bars, it moves more weight from the rear to the front axle, and levels the vehicle. How does this effect the VSC & Traction Control system?

 

[TeryT]

Really would like to know this one!

 

[Thai]

Tery, i just don't think anyone is as much into towing as you. Why don't you take it to the dealership and let them run a computer check...check to see if there's a error code showing up??

Sorry...can't help you. I have no clue when it comes to towing.

Good luck.

 

[TeryT]

Tery, i just don't think anyone is as much into towing as you. Why don't you take it to the dealership and let them run a computer check...check to see if there's a error code showing up??

Sorry...can't help you. I have no clue when it comes to towing.

Good luck.

Thanks, but I was really wondering more about how the system works. How do the sensors detect things that would be affected by weight?

 

[Thai]

Thanks, but I was really wondering more about how the system works. How do the sensors detect things that would be affected by weight?

What confuses me about your situation is that VSC should not have anything to do with weight distribution. Electronic BrakeForce Distribution (EBD) is the one that is affected. I guess that EBD and VSC are linked closer than i thought. I always had thought that the two systems are farther apart in function...VSC is on when you're on the gas or cruising...EBD takes over when you slam on the brakes.

If you find the answer, then please share with us.

 

[boston_kevin]

I'm not sure that VSC or EBD is really the culprit. Anything that can cause a CEL will also disable the VSC/TRAC and safety systems (except EBD). When you crank down the distribution hitch, are you connected electrically to your vehicle or pinching something that could cause a short? Maybe something on the trailer itself that is shorting?? Very confusing why this would have any affect as the only thing that might register on the system would be the change in position of the leveling sensors, but still a strange result... One more quetion, been a while since I did a load-distributing hitch, but it is only one adjustment on the trailer to level out the system, correct? You are not levelling out each side individually?

 

[TeryT]

I'm not sure that VSC or EBD is really the culprit. Anything that can cause a CEL will also disable the VSC/TRAC and safety systems (except EBD). When you crank down the distribution hitch, are you connected electrically to your vehicle or pinching something that could cause a short? Maybe something on the trailer itself that is shorting?? Very confusing why this would have any affect as the only thing that might register on the system would be the change in position of the leveling sensors, but still a strange result... One more quetion, been a while since I did a load-distributing hitch, but it is only one adjustment on the trailer to level out the system, correct? You are not levelling out each side individually?

That's a good point. There are two spring bars - one for each side. I suppose it is possible that I had one tightened more that the other, but I give them a good "eyeball" and line them up.

So is it possible, if the adjustments weren't the same, that the yaw sensor (or something) might be affected?

 

[Iowa4Runner]

You might take a close look at the tires and see if any of them look overloaded (big bulge at the bottom). If the effective radius of one or more wheel is less than the others, it will rotate faster and may confuse the VSC system. It's probably a long shot but maybe worth checking out...

 

[greasefingers]

I am leaning (he he) towards the Yaw Sensor too, but I would think that you would notice the vehicle leaning a lot for this to happen. Terry: wasn

 

[TeryT]

I am leaning (he he) towards the Yaw Sensor too, but I would think that you would notice the vehicle leaning a lot for this to happen. Terry: wasn

 

[greasefingers]

Well then, I guess I will be seating heavy people diagonally rather than all on one side of the vehicle