VSC & TRAC warning light just came on

[peter78]

Yesterday, I started the car and the dash board light up like a Christmas tree. The yellow check engine light was on, the yellow VSC light was on and the yellow TRAC light was on and they are staying on.

I don't know what is wrong, but it sure doesn't sound cheap. By the way, the car is running normally, except of course for the traction control and the vehicle skid control. I am going to take it to the dealer as soon as I can. Any ideas what happened???

 

[drmorbius]

Has there been any heavy rain or unusual weather? What seems odd is that it was fine and just sat. And now this happens. I'm thinking something got wet due to a leak, or a heavy fog.

 

[peter78]

Yes, it did rain yesterday and it is raining today. Which is really good since our Gov. wants to declare our area a disaster area because of the drought.

I actually have another car in the shop and when I got a quote this morning on getting the car fixed, I asked about my problem with the 4Runner. He said when the check engine light comes on, the VSC and Trac control stop working. It most likely is something with the emissions. Anyway, after I fix my other car, I will take in the 4Runner.


So hopefully it is not the VSC and Trac. :

 

[drmorbius]

Maybe it just needs to dry out and it will be ok.

 

[Fo_SheeZy]

Mine come on everytime in my car, Toyota just said to ignore it.

 

[p nut]

When the CEL comes on, TRAC and VSC will also light up. Just a default setting, I think.

Go to an Autozone or a shop to get your CEL code pulled. I'm guessing it's an O2 sensor.

 

[peter78]

When the CEL comes on, TRAC and VSC will also light up. Just a default setting, I think.

Go to an Autozone or a shop to get your CEL code pulled. I'm guessing it's an O2 sensor.

I think that is a pretty good guess. I had my 90,000 mile tune up 5,000 miles ago. According to my friend / mechanic the TRAC and VSC come on as a default setting, just like you said. I was really worried the the VSC and TRAC was messed up.

It might also be the fuel injectors, but I am betting the O2 sensor. When I get my old car fixed I am sending it in to the shop. Very much unexpected, I guess shit happens.

 

[6T9CUDA]

I think that is a pretty good guess. I had my 90,000 mile tune up 5,000 miles ago. According to my friend / mechanic the TRAC and VSC come on as a default setting, just like you said. I was really worried the the VSC and TRAC was messed up.

It might also be the fuel injectors, but I am betting the O2 sensor. When I get my old car fixed I am sending it in to the shop. Very much unexpected, I guess shit happens.

That is exactly what happened to me a few months back. The Toyota tech confirmed with me that the VSC and TRAC lights do go on whenever the cel comes on. It turned out to be a bad O2 sensor.

Tom

 

[peter78]

When the CEL comes on, TRAC and VSC will also light up. Just a default setting, I think.

Go to an Autozone or a shop to get your CEL code pulled. I'm guessing it's an O2 sensor.

That is exactly what happened to me a few months back. The Toyota tech confirmed with me that the VSC and TRAC lights do go on whenever the cel comes on. It turned out to be a bad O2 sensor.

Tom

Boy, you guys are pretty good. I picked up my older car and left off the 4Runner with my friend. It was the O2 sensor. It will run about $340.

I found out it has three O2 sensors and they just replace them as needed. Great, something to look forward to.

Thanks for the help.

 

[drmorbius]

Anybody notice how many posts for this exact problem? Maybe this is temperature or weather related, I mean so many all of a sudden. Maybe oxy sensors are change sensitive.

 

[davejk]

VSC and TRAC warning lights, check Engine light

After reading that these warning lights may come on due to a bad O2 sensor, I decided to try using fuel injector cleaner. I used a bottle for about a half tank, drove it for a day. I started it the next day and no more warning. My thinking was the cleaner could clear off any buildup and it appears to have worked. 3 days later and the light is still off. This may be a coincidence, but i am glad it worked. Like most others have said, the vehicle was running fine when this light came on after a start up during the middle of the day, so it was very frustrating for a couple of days. Thanks everyone for your input, very helpful to know it could be the O2 sensor.

 

[D Farms]

I had the same lights on mine but it was a cracked pressure release on the fuel tank, took them a while to figure it out, even though I smelled a fuel smell from the left rear wheel well.