VSC off, TRAC off and check engine light on!

[gigem891]

My TRAC/VSC issue resolved

Wife’s 2001 Limited 2wd, 253k mi. now, has had regular TRAC/VSC Engine lights on issue for past couple of years. Pretty much just cleared codes with code reader from time-to-time, but they always came back within a day or two. Just returned from an out of state trip for wife’s mother’s funeral, and some of the worst electrical problems all along the way. Had battery replaced under warranty, and replaced OEM alternator which finally died on the trip. After replacing recharged warranty battery following new alternator install, in Autozone parking lot no doubt with wife, 2 kids, dog, and cat in tow, all dash lights off and haven’t returned in 4 days now. Me thinks faulty alternator was somehow tripping the PCM to throw the TRAC/VSC Engine lights. Will report back if they come back on.

 

[jhproctor]

VCS warning and tire pressure warning lights on solutions

VSC, track, engine, and tire pressure warning lights all on for recently-purchased 2006 limited edition 4runner.

Filling spare tire to 32 psi fixed the tire pressure light.

Disconnecting car battery for thirty minutes corrected the other warning lights.

Thanks for the advice! :yo:

 

[ebhudgens]

Similar problem here. 2018 4Runner with 18,000 miles. Six weeks while driving on the interstate close to Memphis the check engine and trac off lights suddenly came on and the vehicle went into limp mode. After getting towed to a dealer in Memphis it was determined that water had gotten into the air injector system and all injectors and the pump had to be replaced. It was covered under warranty but I was out a hotel stay while it was repaired. This week while driving close to Knoxville the same thing happened. Got a tow to a Knoxville dealer and this time it was the emission valves and some other parts. Now I'm out another nights stay in a hotel plus overages on the tow. So far I'm out about $500 for warranty work on a new vehicle, and Toyota had invested over $4,500 in parts plus shop labor for the repairs. I plan to take this up with the dealer where I purchased the vehicle and see about some help on my expenses plus a possible extension of the warranty on these systems. We've had six Toyotas over the years with no major problems and now this new one is nothing but problems.

 

[Shankology]

VSC off, trac off, check engine on

I had the same lights come on after I let my parents borrow my 02 4runner. At first I thought it was a loose gas cap. But the lights stayed on for a few days so I took it to my local firestone to get it scanned. They told me it was likely a faulty O2 sensor. So I purchased a new one and changed it out (a quick and cheap repair) and my lights never came on again.

 

[DevRose12]

vsc trac vsc off check engine 4runner

Have a 2005 Toyota 4runner Sport. I have been dealing with this issue for months now... No solution as of now. I bought a new gas cap and ensure the gas tank is sealed. I have unplugged the battery and it did make the lights away temporarily... but then 1-2 days later its right back on. I haven't changed the O2 sensor, maybe that is the answer? Everything drives fine, no issues at all. Just annoying and scary for others when they drive my car.

 

[wbailey]

I got the same model. If youre getting a p0420 code it's likely an O2 sensor, you can get spark plug non-foulers and install them on the sensor to see if the code clears, then you know for sure before buying a new sensor. If you live in a place where they salt the roads you may have an exhaust leak so check your flanges. I bought mine in the northeast 3 years ago and recently heard a rattling near the back only to discover the tailpipe had rusted clean through just after the muffler, oh well who needs it.

 

[btownie]

2004 SR5 here same issue.
Cleared all the codes.
The trac lights came back on immediately but the check engine light stayed off for a couple days before coming back on.

I'm hoping the block isnt cracked but thats for another post.

 

[bkvollmer]

Sgt Boz & Grosse14 what were you able to find out about your problems. I'm having the same issue now with an 04 SR5 V6 w/ 125K miles. Engine shakes for a while when i start it up, and sometimes I notice after driving a while rpms go down to 500 on idle. CEL reader reported cylinder 6 misfire and I replaced all six plugs, it was good for a while but now it's happening again. I'm thinking it could be a bad distributor cap. Your input would help a lot.

2004 SR5 here same issue.
Cleared all the codes.
The trac lights came back on immediately but the check engine light stayed off for a couple days before coming back on.

I'm hoping the block isnt cracked but thats for another post.

My ‘04’ t4r Ltd v8 having this problem. Will try the gas cap deal, but my mechanic told me I have a cracked manifold where it attaches to the Head causing quite a “ticking” sound. Typical problem with the v8, maybe v6 also. That can create an exhaust leak and trip a Cel if it progresses and get bad enough. I might be there now.

 

[btownie]

Update on my end.

I (carefully) cleaned the rear ABS sensors and reinstalled them.

The VSC and trac lights are no longer throwing a code!

They do come on automatically when the check engine light comes on fyi.

 

[nvestor88]

Having similar issue. There would be a series of beeps, Then three lights come on, on my 03. After adjusting the cap, they go off. The old gas cap looked pretty worn. After today, they came on and stayed on. Tried playing with the cap, same thing. Changed it out for a new one. The lights are still on.

 

[TeryT]

Having similar issue. There would be a series of beeps, Then three lights come on, on my 03. After adjusting the cap, they go off. The old gas cap looked pretty worn. After today, they came on and stayed on. Tried playing with the cap, same thing. Changed it out for a new one. The lights are still on.

You need to pull the codes to see what the computer says is causing it. God to the local auto parts store and have them get the codes, or get one of these from Amazon: Bluetooth OBD Scanner $11

 

[Eliasj]

Hi All,

I have a 2011 4Runner with 70k miles on it. Automatic transmission. the car feels like it doesn’t positively shift into drive, and the drive gear indicator does not illuminate after you shift into drive from park. drives fine though....? Anyone have any suggestions? It’s doesn’t do this all the time. Only when the cars been sitting for a day. Once I drive it it goes away. Could it be a rusting shifting cable?

 

[syncretic.buffalo]

Bumping an old thread

Hi All -

bumping an old thread here, hoping for some clarification.

2007 4.7 4wd here, 191k on the clock.

Been having some rear driveshaft issues lately, planning on dropping the truck off to have them grease the spline of the DS first before we swap in a new one if it doesn't work. I'm also 99% sure my manifold is cracked, i have the bad sulfer smell as well as the tick on startup.

This morning when I turned the truck on for the first time EVER i had the CEL, VSC, and TRAC OFF lights on. Obviously immediately panicked - haven't had time to check the codes yet..though I did check the gas cap and it seemed loose..

Question: would a cracked manifold throw codes, and if so - is it possible to do some kind of a bypass?

I've already had to bypass the AIP system with a fix from one of the members here on the forum.

Cheers

 

[TeryT]

Hi All -

bumping an old thread here, hoping for some clarification.

2007 4.7 4wd here, 191k on the clock.

Been having some rear driveshaft issues lately, planning on dropping the truck off to have them grease the spline of the DS first before we swap in a new one if it doesn't work. I'm also 99% sure my manifold is cracked, i have the bad sulfer smell as well as the tick on startup.

This morning when I turned the truck on for the first time EVER i had the CEL, VSC, and TRAC OFF lights on. Obviously immediately panicked - haven't had time to check the codes yet..though I did check the gas cap and it seemed loose..

Question: would a cracked manifold throw codes, and if so - is it possible to do some kind of a bypass?

I've already had to bypass the AIP system with a fix from one of the members here on the forum.

Cheers

I haven't had a cracked manifold but have some experience with the "Christmas tree lights." I would say that a cracked manifold might throw the codes as the sensors could be picking up a different mixture than they want to see. Just my opinion though. (My experience was when the cats went bad and I replaced them. I tried various things, but in the end replacing the cats made the lights go away.)

 

[syncretic.buffalo]

I haven't had a cracked manifold but have some experience with the "Christmas tree lights." I would say that a cracked manifold might throw the codes as the sensors could be picking up a different mixture than they want to see. Just my opinion though. (My experience was when the cats went bad and I replaced them. I tried various things, but in the end replacing the cats made the lights go away.)

yeah - we'll see what happens. I just wasn't sure if replacing the o2 sensor was in the realm of possibility as a solution.

i'll have to run the codes first obviously - hopefully it's a loose gas cap and that's it...

will report back

 

[Shaylum]

I got my 05 v6 4Runner and the VSC and TRAC lights were on along with a check engine light. Tightening the gas cap fixed it a few times but it got to the point where the lights just stayed on. I even ordered a new gas cap and now the light just stays on forever. Decided to replace all my o2 sensors and this affected my gas mileage significantly (went from (400 range to 320). After a bit of driving it slowly rose back up to like 380 range. Decided to take it to a mechanic to get the lights fixed and they said both of my upstream o2 sensors are reading bad. Thing is, I just replaced those a couple months back. They said it may be because they were bad o2 sensors to begin with but the lights were still on before I even touched the o2 sensors and the downstream sensors are reading just fine, so that doesn’t make any sense in my head. I’m so lost in trying to figure this out. I’ve checked my a/f heater fuse as well and my spark plugs. The codes I apparently have are P2238, P2241, & P0606. The first two are upstream o2 sensors and the third one is computer related. If anyone has any suggestions I would be greatly appreciative as this is getting ridiculous.

 

[HTXTRD]

2019 TRD Off Road - CEL, TRAC OFF & Multi-Terrain Select Indicator

Hey All,

Purchased a used 2019 T4R TRD Off Road just last week. CEL, TRAC OFF and Multi-Terrain Select Indicator lights all came on yesterday evening. MTSL was blinking. DTC below:

P0121 - Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch "A" Circuit
P043E Se - Evaporative Emission System Leak Detection Reference Orifice
P043F Se - Evaporative Emission System Leak Detection Reference Orifice
P2401 - Evaporative Emission System Leak Detection Pump Control Circuit
P2402 - Evaporative Emission System Leak Detection Pump Control Circuit
P2419 - Evaporative Emissions System Switching Valve Control Circuit Low

- I checked the gas cap...looks fine...on tight.
- Tried turning the Multi-Terrain on/off, but it wouldn't turn on and the light kept blinking. (I did go into 4LO)
- I cleared the codes and drove around a bit. All clear so far and the MTSL turned off , but expect they will all return.
- Once I cleared the codes, I tested the Multi-Terrain, Crawl Control, A-TRAC, and locking differential functions. All worked with no issues.

Any insight would be much appreciated!

 

[syncretic.buffalo]

FYI

Ended up being the plugs and coils in the front - replaced all 8 and am back in business now.

Went on a 7k Roadtrip and had no issues.

 

[HTXTRD]

Repairs Complete....

FYI....codes below occurred b/c a leak in the Evap system as codes note. Dealership (warranty) did a smoke test to find the leak. The Charcoal Canister was the culprit....it's been replaced and all issues seem to be resolved.

Side Note.....Toyota 4Runner Forum [4Runners.com] is a more active site for new users...

P0121 - Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch "A" Circuit
P043E Se - Evaporative Emission System Leak Detection Reference Orifice
P043F Se - Evaporative Emission System Leak Detection Reference Orifice
P2401 - Evaporative Emission System Leak Detection Pump Control Circuit
P2402 - Evaporative Emission System Leak Detection Pump Control Circuit
P2419 - Evaporative Emissions System Switching Valve Control Circuit Low