VSC / Trac System Problem

[Sunman48]

I have a 2012 SR5 Forerunner with 54,000 miles on it. Several times on a trip over the last three days while at 70 mph on cruise control the ABS, Brake and VSC lights all came on at one time. Later the lights would go off or maybe they would be off the next morning but come on after running a few miles at 65 to 75 mph using the cruise control. During this 3 day trip we were constantly driving in rain. A couple of times I noticed the speedometer and tack needles jumping up and down right before the lights came on and a couple of times the car accelerated or downshifted on it's own. Once I turned off the cruise control the lights stayed on but there was no problems with the engine RPM changing or the transmission downshifting as if the car was under heavy acceleration. A couple of times the lights all went off while driving along but came back on a few miles later. The lights came on once before about 15,000 miles ago while driving on a wet, slick road but it never happened again until this trip.

Has anyone experienced this problem and if so what was the cause? I would assume that I can take it to a dealer and they should be able to pull codes on the problem? I would like to have some idea of what the problem(s) could be before I take it to a dealer.

Thanks,

Sunman

 

[wfo9]

Most likely wheel speed sensor.... Cheap and easy fix once you fine out which one it is....

 

[Sunman48]

Most likely wheel speed sensor.... Cheap and easy fix once you fine out which one it is....

Thanks for the reply!

Sunman

 

[Sunman48]

OK, I took the TR4 in and had the dealer run a diagnostic test. The code was "C1408 left rear ABS open". The service tech said he re-set the code, test drove the car and the code did not come back. On the way home I used the cruise control for about 5 miles and no problems. The lights did not come back on. The tech said if the light came back on then they would need to replace the ABS wire and the parts and labor would be $325.00. Is the ABS sensor on the wheel easy to replace and reasonable in cost? Could I replace it? If it is easy to replace and reasonable in cost I would replace it myself and see if this fixes the problem before spending $325.00 to replace the wire. I have plenty of mechanical experience working on cars and motorcycles.

Thanks,

Sunman

 

[MisplacedTexan]

Is the ABS sensor on the wheel easy to replace and reasonable in cost?

I broke the one on my front right doing a lift. Wire was ~$80 and it took may 10 minutes to swap it. I don't imagine the rear being any worse since you will have more room back there.

It's just going to be a connector on either end of the wire and a few bolted in clips that hold it in place along the rear end. Only tool you should need is a 8 or 10 mm wrench/ratchet.

 

[wfo9]

OK, I took the TR4 in and had the dealer run a diagnostic test. The code was "C1408 left rear ABS open". The service tech said he re-set the code, test drove the car and the code did not come back. On the way home I used the cruise control for about 5 miles and no problems. The lights did not come back on. The tech said if the light came back on then they would need to replace the ABS wire and the parts and labor would be $325.00. Is the ABS sensor on the wheel easy to replace and reasonable in cost? Could I replace it? If it is easy to replace and reasonable in cost I would replace it myself and see if this fixes the problem before spending $325.00 to replace the wire. I have plenty of mechanical experience working on cars and motorcycles.

Thanks,

Sunman

The sensor is very easy to replace and there are very cheap aftermarket ones available.

Just pull the wheel off and look for where the wire plugs in. There is just one small bolt holding it in place and it just pulls straight out after the bolt is removed.

 

[Sunman48]

Thanks wfo9 and misplacedtexan for the replies. I will check it out. It happened again yesterday while driving in the rain. It seems to only happen in rainy / wet conditions.

Sunman