VSC OFF, VSC TRAC lights on, no CEL, no codes

[RunningForNow]

All,

I'm at a loss here. My 2001 4Runner SR5 now has both VSC OFF and VSV TRAC lights on, but no CEL. The truck drives fine with no noticeable issues. I tried doing some searches on this site, unfortunately the search function is garbage. The results I got were mostly with those two lights AND the CEL on, but my CEL isn't on, and I checked for codes and there were none. The truck has 190k miles.

I've also tried disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes, and those lights came on immediately after the car starts moving.

I also read somewhere that the issue could be EVAP system related, but I'm scratching my head wondering why VSC components would be related to emissions and EVAP systems?

Has anyone ever dealt with this issue? I appreciate your information!

 

[BrianK14]

You likely have a fault in the ABS system. Pull ABS codes by jumpering in the diagnostic port under the hood. OBD Code readers Don’t read ABS codes.
You haven’t by chance been installing LED dash lights?

 

[RunningForNow]

You likely have a fault in the ABS system. Pull ABS codes by jumpering in the diagnostic port under the hood. OBD Code readers Don’t read ABS codes.
You haven’t by chance been installing LED dash lights?

Yes I did. But I did it a month ago, and it just started happening yesterday. How do I jump the diagnostic port like you described? Sorry, I'm a complete noob when it comes to this, and I'm assuming you mean this diagnostic port, next to the intake manifold?

 

[BrianK14]

Yep, that’s the one. I don’t remember the details of jumpering and reading the flashes on the dash lights. But you can search, and should find plenty of info here. Also search led dash lights and VSC light on.

 

[jgue467]

...
You haven’t by chance been installing LED dash lights?

This bonehead did put in new led dash lights and those two are not lit when I start vehicle but as soon as I backup there they go and no set or pending cel.

What should I do besides replacing dash lights with old type again? Thanks!

 

[BrianK14]

I don't think its all of the dash bulbs that are a problem. Just the ones for the gear select indicator lights can't be LED's

 

[RunningForNow]

I don't think its all of the dash bulbs that are a problem. Just the ones for the gear select indicator lights can't be LED's

When I installed LEDs to my cluster, I only swapped out the three main illuminating ones (the bigger bulbs). I tried swapping out all the warning lights, and they were way too bright, and because they were way too bright, the colors were all wrong...Blue became light blue, orange became yellow, red became magenta. So, besides the three main illuminating ones, I put incadescent bulbs back for the idiot lights.

Had this setup for two months, and never a problem, then all of a sudden the VSC and TRAC lights came on last week.

 

[MStudt]

Here's a good read on this topic.

In the he ended up removing some of the LED's, and putting regular bulbs back in. I don't think that's your problem since it didn't happen right away.

Mike

 

[BrianK14]

Had this setup for two months, and never a problem, then all of a sudden the VSC and TRAC lights came on last week.

Doesn't sound like the LEDs are your issue. Did you pull ABS codes yet?

Pulling and resetting ABS codes

 

[ED2001T4R]

Hi all. I am having the same problem VSC TRAC and VSC OFF lights go on, but also CEL. Engine then begins to miss badly and stalls under power. I can coast downhill in gear if I'm not accelerating and engine will idle ok, but stalls if driven. Had this problem a few months ago and had to be towed to stealership after blocking rush hour traffic for an hour. They couldn't really find the issue (I now realize) They told me it needed new Knock sensors. Had those replaced (by independent shop) but now exact problem has returned, having driven a few hundred miles at most over the last few months. subsequently also had timing chain and water pump replaced. After this happened to me again a couple of weeks ago, I just parked the car. The battery then died. I jump started it and the lights had gone out, but I still didn't drive it much. Then today it happened again as soon as I went about 200 yards, and I am very reluctant to try to drive it more than a couple of blocks. Most of the messages I see in the threads seem to report only the two VSC lights on. If they also have CEL, none seem to report that the car stalls out, and the fix seems to be related to resetting OBD codes and such. My problem is definitely not that. any advice? I am out of ideas and the pros have not come up with any either, except to cost me a lot of money. It's a 2001 SR5 with 104,000 miles, otherwise in excellent shape.

 

[jgue467]

Hi all. I am having the same problem VSC TRAC and VSC OFF lights go on, but also CEL. ...

Well anytime the engine misfires significantly, it will go into a 'limp mode' of sorts by setting the TRAC/VSC off, the reason is those two can throttle the engine down doing their thing for the reasons they do but in limp mode the ECU wants to give you all available power since it is misfiring.

So that means most likely you'll have a P0300-P0306 CEL code.

If you have not replaced spark plugs and ignition wires that could really help.

Also cleaning the MAF and IAC can help that situation, very common.

Do you have an ODB2 reader, if not either get an inexpensive one on ebay/amazon or use your local auto zone type place, they'll read it for free.

This isn't too hard, the vehicle can be made reliable to drive coast to coast.

Let us know what you find....

 

[ED2001T4R]

Well anytime the engine misfires significantly, it will go into a 'limp mode' of sorts by setting the TRAC/VSC off, the reason is those two can throttle the engine down doing their thing for the reasons they do but in limp mode the ECU wants to give you all available power since it is misfiring.

So that means most likely you'll have a P0300-P0306 CEL code.

If you have not replaced spark plugs and ignition wires that could really help.

Also cleaning the MAF and IAC can help that situation, very common.

Do you have an ODB2 reader, if not either get an inexpensive one on ebay/amazon or use your local auto zone type place, they'll read it for free.

This isn't too hard, the vehicle can be made reliable to drive coast to coast.

Let us know what you find....

Just following up on my original post. I think my new mechanic has found the problem. OBD was throwing a P1300 code, "igniter" but changing the igniter twice did nothing. He then jiggled the coil harness plugs. He put dielectric grease on all the connectors and it seemed to be running well. However, we also discovered that one of the coils was rusted out and was loose. The other two seem to have been changed at some point earlier. In addition, the spark plugs were a mixture of single and double electrode types and at least one of them had rust as well. PO had new spark plug wires, so that was not needed. However, we installed all new coils and spark plugs, this time with the correct OEM twin electrode type. It is now running beautifully.
Previous mechanics and the stealership made me change the knock sensors, which we did during a time when it was running ok, but which were not the problem, IMO. That P1300 code seems to cover a multitude of sins and is thus less than useful as a diagnostic. I'm also actually surprised the dealer would not have discovered what to me ended up being a relatively easy to find ignition-related issue if they had just done a little trial and error. Seems they just plug in the OBD, cross-check it against a schedule of potential repairs/costs, and then tell the customer he/she needs to do whatever costs the most.

As an aside, we discovered that my 4R probably had a TRD supercharger installed at one time, but it was probably taken off and sold separately before I bought it. It has a couple of TRD stickers regarding belt routing on the inside of the hood, and that also likely explains some weird drilled holes in the interior driver's side windshield pillar trim where a boost gauge was probably mounted at one time.

Thanks to everyone for your advice and help. I hope this helps someone avoid big-buck unneeded repairs.

 

[ED2001T4R]

My new mechanic who I think has finally fixed my 4Runner with the same issue of VSC TRAC and VSC OFF lights (though I did have CEL on) told me that for reasons which I forget and didn't really understand, the VSC lights go on with a lot of codes and the fault is not necessarily, (perhaps not even likely?) anything to do with VSC. It is an ignition system issue. See my posts above. Double check plugs, coils, wires, igniter, MAF and IAC (as JGUE 467 suggests) and replace if needed.

 

[losso]

I had the same issue. Please check your 3rd. Brake light. My was out and also I had and led bulb I change it back to better one . The cheap Leds do something. Bad ground I believe it’s call. But my issue only came on after turning my lights on.

 

[3bears]

looks like I got this issue too

 

[roadrunner58]

looks like I'm gonna do a few things on my 4runner to turn off vsc and prevent them from turning back on. i'm gonna be dropping fuel tank in a month or so anyway to fix some frame rust so looks like I'll be doing that evap valve on top of gas tank as previously mentioned in a different forum, since it will be easily accessible (as well as fuel pump because why not) I'll clean my MAF and IAC because that's super easy to do, go ahead and replace my charcoal canister because again easy to do, and my buddy said replacing his o2 sensors fixed his vsc on his 4th gen. really not looking forward to o2 sensors, I always struggle with breaking those loose.​