VSC Off, ABS, VSC Trac lights on, No CE?

[Union Federal]

Every 500 miles, the VSC Off, VSC Trac, and ABS lights come on. I've searched these threads and it seems that most people have the check engine light come on too, but I don't have that issue.

As soon as I shut the car off, the lights turn off (everything normal) for about 500 miles, then they turn on again. Its not a huge inconvenience, but I'd like to know whats wrong. The last time it happened, I was driving in snow and there was no ABS or Trac control from what I would see and I couldn't pull over at the time. The gas cap has been replaced and AutoZone is not willing to pull my codes unless the CE light is on.

I have a '06 T4R Sport V6 with 116k. Thanks for any advice.

 

[sonerick]

When I lifted my truck I stretched the right front speed sensor wire. Those lights came on (vsc trac, vsc off, abs, no CE). I hacked the wire up up, found the break, fixed it, and all the lights went off.

About a year later I would intermittently get the warning lights back (no CE). Turning the truck off then on would clear them for a while, but then they stayed on. I bit the bullet and replaced the speed sensor wire with a new part and all is well.

Long story short, check your speed sensors and/or wires. Maybe there is an issue with one of them.

Edit: To diagnose, I tried to perform a Zero Point Calibration as described in a few threads on here. This didn't work, but it resulted in the car blinking a series of lights at me (vsc off, abs). The service manual provides tables showing how to interpret the blinking lights. In my case, it pointed me to a fault with the right front speed sensor. Since the wire had been previously hacked up, I figured that must have been the culprit and it was. I would recommend using the same technique to figure out what is causing the lights to go off.

 

[Union Federal]

Thanks Sonerick. How expensive is it to change a speed sensor? My truck is bone stock, even the tires are 265/65-17's. With no lift, I'm surprised the speed sensor would have an issue. I do offroad, I wonder if that could affect it.

Is this a part that a newbie could replace or do I have to have the dealership do it? Thanks.

 

[sonerick]

I would be surprised if it is a speed sensor also, unless one of them is dirty or something. Maybe take a peek and see if you need to clean one of them off.

I would try troubleshooting the system as described in the service manual to at least see what is throwing the code. I mean it really could be anything from speed sensors to skid control module, I'm just throwing out ideas. I discovered the blinking light code by accident when performing a zero point calibration, but then started digging through the service manual and found some good info for troubleshooting.

If it does end up being a speed sensor or wire, they are very easy to change. Basically remove the wheel, unbolt the sensor, and unplug/unclip the wire, and then reverse for installation.

 

[BOSMECH]

Try doing a zero point calibration, I have posted how to do it some where on the forum.
It is very easy using a piece of wire.

 

[Rattlecanpaint]

I got those lights too this last weekend. My code reader stored a brake light switch fault. You really need to get the codes read so you know for sure what it is. It could literally be a hundred things that turn on those lights.

 

[CXS]

I don't know if it was a fluke but when I had that happening it didn't go away until the stored codes were cleared. Once cleared it never came back.

 

[RunnerJeff]

Search the forum, the fix it out there. It has to do with the brake and I posted a thread and someone gave me the part number. Not to be an a** but doing a simple search for 10-15 minutes and you'd find the answer.

 

[TRDCal]

It has to do with the brake

Now he's going to go search "brake" and get a million threads dealing with frozen calipers.

Help a brother out yo

 

[sonerick]

Ok. There are some good suggestions here for possible solutions. But as mentioned above, there are like a hundred faults that can trigger those lights. Could be speed sensor, brake switch, skid control module, etc.

Only way to figure it out is to do one of three things:

1. Start swapping parts out blindly (not recommended)
2. Use a code reader to pull the codes (easy but only if you have access to a scanner)
3. Short a couple of pins on the OBDII connector as described for the zero point calibration and observe the resulting sequence of flashing dash lights. These correspond to codes published in the service manual that identify the fault triggering the dash lights in the first place.

 

[RunnerJeff]

Now he's going to go search "brake" and get a million threads dealing with frozen calipers.

Help a brother out yo

Hey i've just gotten reamed for it before plenty of times and i've learned my lesson! Some people just don't want to put the effort out there.

But link is here..

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/131924-vsc-off-vsc-trac-traction-control-abs-lights.html

 

[TRDCal]

Hey i've just gotten reamed for it before plenty of times and i've learned my lesson! Some people just don't want to put the effort out there.

No no, I understand I was just f***ing with you. I'm guilty for reaming people out when they ask if its possible to replace the bulb behind the mpg display or something beaten do to death like that.

 

[Union Federal]

I actually did do a search, but most of the results said that they got the CE light on. I don't have that issue. I apologize if I didn't search enough. I'm definitely a newbie and not very mechanically savvy, so the search results just confused me. Without the CE light, I was told that my code cannot be pulled except by Toyota. Autozone and Advance told me this. I'm trying to figure out if I should buy a OBDII code reader/resetter or not.

Thanks for the ideas though.

 

[RunnerJeff]

I was just giving you a hard time man. Check your battery terminals, if they're a slight bit loose, then it could throw those lights on. My most recent fix with the brake pedal part that I linked above, didn't have the CE light on. I ordered the part and I am hopeful that will fix it. I have gotten my MAF circuit board remapped and my fuel pump replaced because these lights/codes have been thrown all for about 8 months now. It is a long process but I believe I haven't wasted any money on getting these other things fixed.

Good luck though.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

I have the trac and vsc off lights on in my truck, tried doing a zero point calibration with tech stream and it wouldn't accept it so my yaw rate sensor is shot.

It could also be a bad ABS ring (not likely) or a speed sensor as suggested. That's most likely, a stick are rock could fly up from the wheel and cut it, or something like that. GL.

 

[swanny]

For those with the lights on, are you getting codes read when the lights are one or can they be off and still be read? I have had Toyota tell me two different things, one guy said they had to be on, and the other said I needed to make an appointment and pay $50 for them to plug it in and read them. I wasn't very happy with either answer

 

[Rattlecanpaint]

I read mine with the lights on. (only reason TO read them). With a Matco scan tool. It's made by INNOVA. Had to get the expensive one though that will do ABS and SRS codes.

 

[Yeager_22]

I had the same issue as sonerick, after lifting my Runner those lights came one. Found out that I made a short on the ABS cable (drivers front side). It was $50 to replace and very easy to install. I would def check the cables/wires like stated before.

Good luck

 

[JDH]

Brake Switch

I had these lights come on sporadically also. Turns out it was a faulty brake switch, it's worth replacing the brake switch on your own to see if it solves the problem as they are pretty inexpensive.

 

[RHeathwaite]

Having similar but different VSC issues

Hello, I'm new and not able to start a new post (I got an error message saying I couldn't start a new post due to the lack of mr replying to others).

I have spent about an hour looking at posts to solve my issue, and although some posts are similar they are not exactly the same.

I have a 2005 4Runner V8 SR5 with 93,000 miles on it that I have owned and pretty much pampered since new. Until yesterday I have had no issues or lights associated with my vehicle other than my parking brake engagement seems loose (meaning that I need to push the pedal down a little more than I'd like since its been a couple of years since being adjusted, but it holds the car when in drive as required my MA state inspection).

We recently moved from MA to NJ, and I got my NJ inspection done the day before yesterday. They hooked up the a scanner to the my 4Runner's computer (I'm assuming for emmissions), and did the rest of their normal stuff.

After passing the inspection I only drove the 4Runner home (a couple of miles) and didn't note anything unusual. However, yesterday morning my amber VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, and slip indicator light; as well as the red brake light all came on... but go off intermittently.

The first light on was the red brake light, and I thought it was due to me not releasing the emergency brake. I realized it wasn't. It went on and off as I drove several times before the amber lights came on.

The lights are intermittent (I'd estimate on 1/3 of my driving time). It seems that the red brake light is always on when the amber lights are. But the amber lights are not always on when the red brake light is on.

I have not seen a Check Engine Light or "ABS".

The brake fluid reservoir is at max, and the lights come on and off intermittently even when driving at steady speeds on straight level smooth road.

Is it likely the NJ inspection scanner did something to trip up my computer to flag some codes? I will try to get to an auto parts store to get the codes; but I live in a rural part of NJ (believe it or not… they exist) and it is a hike to get to one.

I appreciate the help.