VSC, TRAC, and Check engine lights on

[docfeelgood]

The cost is $435.00 for one sensor, parts and labor.

According to the dealership, it is Bank 2, Sensor 2 oxygen sensor, located by the catalytic converter at the end of the engine, next to the firewall.

Any ideas which sensor this exactly is? He wouldn't devulge the error code via the phone, since he was not the actual technician. I checked out Partznet.com, and looked at their diagram....it could any three sensors at this point. Any clue?

 

[docfeelgood]

FYI, i found out Yota refers to Bank 2 as being the driver side, and Bank 1 as being the passenger side. Sensor 1 is before the CAT, sensor 2 is after the CAT. There are 4 Cats on this model… One for each side for each side of the engine exhaust, one for when they twin, and one for the exhaust…

And Partz.net orientates its parts from the driver seat.

 

[owen4runner]

Bank 2 Sensor 2 will be located directly underneath the truck where your feet would be if you're driving. Depending on the (sensor) manufacturer the main difference between Bank1Sensor2 and Bank2Sensor2 is the length of the wires. Driver side is longer. The NTK I replaced it with was suitable for both sides. $435 is a bit pricey (for me) to replace 1 sensor, even though the dealer quoted me for $190 on the part.

 

[greasefingers]

the main difference between Bank1Sensor2 and Bank2Sensor2 is the length of the wires.

Also the connector is of a different type so you cannot plug a downstream senor into an upstream harness

 

[owen4runner]

Also the connector is of a different type so you cannot plug a downstream senor into an upstream harness

You are correct. Sensors 2 (downstream) can not be used for Sensors 1 (Upstream). However sensors 2 are interchangable between driver and passenger sides depending on which manufacturer due to the wire length.

 

[Sgt. Boz]

cel vcs/ trac off lights w/ codes.

Let us know what they tell you.

I have a good one here.
I have an 04 SR5 V6 w/ 134,000 miles on it. I started it up one day and it shook pretty good for about 30 seconds and then went away. the CEL and VSC/TRAC off lights came on and stayed on. I drove it to work, everything was fine. Started it after 8 hrs. same thing shake for 30 sec. then runs fine. Pulled codes and had a #6 cylinder miss-fire. Changed Plugs. She ran fine for 2 days and then the same thing started. pulled code again , same thing. Swapped #6 coil pack with #4. ran for 2 days problem returned. pulled code #4 miss-fire!!!! yaa problem solved!! not quite. Put #4 pack back on #4 and changed #6 coil pack with new. Ran fine last night. Started it up this morning engine shake again for 30 seconds and CEL blinked for a couple of seconds and then went out, engine drove fine. What the heck??? Same exact problem. I will pull code again once it stays on. What would cause the eninge to shake (like a cylinder isn't firing) for 30 seconds (give or take a couple) and then run fine. No noticable loss of power. gas cap tight, just passed emmisions. I am lost on this one. ANY help would be greatly appreciated. Oh, one more thing. when the CEL was cleared why didn't the VSC/TRAC off light go out? Those are the only light that won't go out. Then come on as soon as the vehicle moves. It stays out for as long as the engine is running and you haven't moved when you first start it up. PLEASE HELP!!!

 

[Spider5]

How much gas is in the tank? It is possible that an almost empty gas tank has water from condensation that collects overnight or dirt get into the cylinder that obvious would have problems firing. The other though because multiple light are involved there is an error in the computer program that could be caused by a bad sensor.

 

[pb1221]

Is it ok to drive

I have had the same problem twice now-am wondering if it's ok to drive with the vsc lights on? Is it doing any damage or is it dangerous that it's disabled? I can't afford to fix this again for the 2nd time in 6 months!!

thanks

pb

 

[bxc13]

Hi All,

I got lucky and was able to fix (suppress) this issue by installing a ScanGauge2. My issue was that these lights appeared only during cold weather. My truck ran perfect, even when the lights came on.

I was able to verify that the problem came back after removal and has not come back after reinstalling. Well worth the $150 for the added gauges and (ironically) an error code reader (which i had NO codes, even with the the dash lights on).

I don't have a technical explanation, but my thought is that somehow the plug on the OBD2 wire for the Scangauge2 effect the triggers for these lights. Similar to how we need to tap into this to do the zero-point calibration.

Either way, hope this helps some of you. I can't say it will work 100%, but it did for me

Regards and Happy holidays!
Bill

 

[bnae]

help

I have an '04 SR5, Runner. I had the CEL and VSC Trac lights come on on Friday. Dropped it off to a dealership Monday and was told my front catalytic converter needed to be replaced to the tune of $1100.00. What I have read on this site, most everyones challeges were gas cap, O2 sensor, etc not CAT. My brother is a mechanic, not close to me or I would have gone to him, and first thing he said it sounded like was an O2 sensor without even looking at the truck or knowing what the the stealership told me. I know that I'm not the most car savvy and I am a women, but this seemed outrageous to me.

They also said that my ground cable on the battery had torn away due to the harness on the battery breaking off and that I was lucky I didn't have a massive electrical meltdown of the system and that would need to be fixed since the truck was inoperatable. That is supposed to be $75, parts and labor but I'm thinking that this may also reset the CEL- or at least that is what I am praying for!

Any thoughts? advice?

 

[DaveS]

I would get a second opinion on the CAT - most common cause for the check engine light is an exhaust leak (count me in on that one too last winter) or an O2 sensor. Not sure how the earthing could just break away like they describe but I doubt it would cause the check engine light to kick in - it needs to be fixed however.

For reference, my 04 4Runner has had the following repair work up to 148000 km -

Exhaust leak - check engine - new gasket required last winter
Front calipers (twice - first were under warranty at least one seems to go every 70000km)
New parking brake assembly (came apart when they replaced the rear rotors last summer)
New alternator - last winter
New front Axle joint - Nov this year
New Intermediate Steering shaft (this week)
Rust on rear hatch - fixed under warranty last summer

Still love the truck but wonder how much longer the love affair will last..

 

[Runnertoo]

CEL, VCS/ TRAC OFF lights - Gas cap (Fuel cap)

All, I hope this message is posting in the right place; this message is in response to the 3 pages of postings on the subject of CEL, VCS/TRAC OFF warning lights; the 1st message went back to 2005 and the last Jan 2011. All the information was very helpful! I have a 04 4Runner:

1. Two days ago my CEL came on; last night my VCS/TRAC OFF came on. I checked the owner’s manual; then found this web site and both talked about the loose gas cap; so that's where I started.

2. Another good tip: go to AutoZone and have them read the OBD codes for free.

3. This morning, I checked the gas cap and sure enough it was loose; I tried to tighten it; it clicked but it was still lose; I could easily turn and remove the cap without effort.

4. I went to AutoZone, and they checked the codes (Thanks AutoZone!) which indicated the gas cap and/ or vacuum system. FYI: I did not mention the loose gas cap to AutoZone when I asked them to check the codes; so it was good to see that the code actually confirmed the suspected problem.

5. I replaced the gas cap for $13, and that took care of the CEL, VCS/TRAC OFF warning lights issue.

I will certainly keep all the other information from the forum in mind the next time I get the lights. This forum helped save me some big bucks. Thanks again to all you contributors. Best of luck to all of you!

 

[Bossman]

Reading through this thread has been helpful, but my experience is totally different than anything else posted so far.

Had the check engine light, VSC TRAC and VSC OFF lights come on last night on the drive home from work. Certainly of some concern, but I could not figure out why they came on all of a sudden.

One of the roads I travel home on is almost entirely potholes (gives the suspension a good workout), so I thought maybe a sensor got jarred loose. Also, with the milder weather lately, lots of snow has been melting and there is this huge puddle (make that a mini lake!) at the entranceway to the parking lot at work. I drove through it at pretty good speed and had water spraying over the roof.

Take my T4R into my dealership the next morning to get the OBD codes read. Comes back as a problem with a transmission sensor. The technician clears the code, and all is well. All warning lights go off, and are still off.

We suspect some water got into the sensor (maybe the seal is deteriorating) and the ECU was not happy with that.

I'll try to not treat my T4R like a jet ski in the future :driving:

 

[MJ Philbin]

I have had the same problem twice now-am wondering if it's ok to drive with the vsc lights on? Is it doing any damage or is it dangerous that it's disabled? I can't afford to fix this again for the 2nd time in 6 months!!

thanks

pb

I have had all 4 of my sensors (o2) replaced, and at least one of them has been done more than once. When the front ones die out, you'll likely notice a slight change in the way the engine idles. It's a little more rough, especially with the AC on, and the exhaust smells of a fuel / air mix that's too rich. When the back ones go (there's one on each side of the exhaust, behind the cats), there's little to no difference in mileage or idle. The last time mine died, I was so upset that I had to go through all this again that I just drove on it for about 25K miles until the Illinois Emissions Program sent a friendly invitation to get my truck tested. At that point, I didn't have a choice. My exhaust system seems fine after all this, but I would bet the cats suffer a little when the mix isn't right.

After asking several people why this happens, and no one can really give me a positive answer, I can't help but wonder if it's due to not burning premium gas? I usually just get regular unleaded, and have for a while. Who knows?

 

[j-dub]

I have a 2006 SR5 2wd with 94k miles on it. I just got the VSC TRAC and check engine lights last week. First time it happened I assumed it was because I was messing with the wiring. I had disconnected the Auto LSD button when I removed the lower panel under the steering wheel to get to the fuse box area. I disconnected the battery and it cleared the lights.

One week later they came back. Gas cap is tight. I bought the 4runner 1k miles ago and have a 3k mile warranty on it.

I think I will bring it to the dealer and have them diagnose it. If they find anything interesting I will post back with my findings.

Jeremy

 

[j-dub]

Well I stopped by the dealer today. The service adviser read the code, it was for the gas cap. He tested the cap by hand and said it was worn out because it was too easy to open, meaning it was not sealing properly. I went inside and got a new cap from the parts counter. The parts guy said the caps have been recently redesigned and the new one should last much longer.

Hopefully this is resolved.

Jeremy

 

[SHADOW13]

Engine light, VSC Trac, VSC Off light

Just installed a K&N Air charger system on my 2004, engine light came on, VSC track and VSC off came on. Ran fine and no light prior to the install, guessing its getting more air than computer is used to?

 

[05LimitedV8]

My 05 just had the exact same problem with the same solution. Replace o2 sensor. 6 months with no rain, VSC malfunction = 3 consecutive days of rain. lol

 

[4RUN1T]

happened to me today

 

[LC_4R]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/100881-cel-vsc-lights-o2-sensor-work-around.html

Check out my work-around for this annoying issue. Basically all you would have to do is share the sensor reading from the post-cat O2 sensor on the good side.

In my case, the driver's side rear O2 sensor was throwing the code. I left the two heater wires on this 'bad' O2 sensor and took the signal wire and ground wire over to the good side.

Lo and behold! No more codes. I think this is just a bad cable or ground issue but it could be something more unethical since it brings people in for service ($$$). In any case, my wife and kid are in that 4runner now and I want it running right. There are many people that just figure the vehicle runs OK even with the lights. I personally did this for a couple years and I was caught in some icey conditions and crazy lane chages at other times. You WANT the VSC and 'posi' effect these systems give you.

Edit: I had replaced the 'bad' rear O2 sensor and it did not fix this issue. Toyota was no help. I even swapped over the O2 sensors and the problem did not track that! Troubleshooting 101! The rear O2 sensors are just there to check up on the catalytic converter. I passed emissions easily (fast test on the dyno emissions station), so I know that it is something in the harness or computer.