Warning lights on! HELP!!!

D

David D

New member
OK, first the basics. 2001 4Runner Limited with 134K miles. Last night I started it and as soon as I drove off, the Check Engine light, VSC Off and VSC Trac lights all came on at the same time. I have a ScanGauge and it showed only one code, P1135.

For the record, I DID use the search button to find what the code means. The code table that I found says that it means A/F Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 1). I'm assuming that I need a new oxygen sensor, but I'm confused why the VSC lights came on. I tried clearing the code and it stayed off during a 10 mile trip this morning, but came back on again tonight.

Is there something else that I should look at besides replacing the oxygen sensor, or is it normal for the VSC lights to come on with the Check Engine light? Can anyone help? :confused:
 
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I have seen weird lights come one when voltage gets low when there is something like a bad alternator. I have been a few vehicles that had an alternator go bad and the airbag, abs and other lights came on. May not be your problem but worth a look.
 
Thanks for the suggestion. I have been keeping a close eye on the voltmeter and it has stayed pretty consistent, so I'm comfortable that that's not the problem.

I've been doing more reading and apparently it's not uncommon for the VSC lights to come on along with the Check Engine light. I would feel more comfortable if I knew exactly why that happens. Maybe someone here knows and will chime in.
 
im not sure exactly why it happens, but im assuming it happens to make your dashboard light up like a christmas tree to help the idiots that dont know anything get to a mechanic quickly. i just had a p0420 code that said bank 1 sensor 1 system too lean, got the A/F ratio sensor from toyota 260$. installed it, that code was cleared and after a 1800 mile trip from florida to NC and back, i threw a code telling me my cat is dead!

if i were you, i would go get into a slippery area and try to spin out just to see if your trac is still working properly.
 
David D said:
OK, first the basics. 2001 4Runner Limited with 134K miles. Last night I started it and as soon as I drove off, the Check Engine light, VSC Off and VSC Trac lights all came on at the same time. I have a ScanGauge and it showed only one code, P1135.

For the record, I DID use the search button to find what the code means. The code table that I found says that it means A/F Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 1). I'm assuming that I need a new oxygen sensor, but I'm confused why the VSC lights came on. I tried clearing the code and it stayed off during a 10 mile trip this morning, but came back on again tonight.

Is there something else that I should look at besides replacing the oxygen sensor, or is it normal for the VSC lights to come on with the Check Engine light? Can anyone help? :confused:
Click to expand...

My understanding is that the ECU has only two modes, 'full up' and 'backup'. ANY trouble code will cause the ECU to switch to 'back-up' a.k.a limp mode. This mode is not robust enough to operate the traction control so you will loose these anytime you get a DTC.
The heater circuit code is pretty reliable as being correct. A new sensor is in order, but not an emergency. The best price you will find (been there, done that) is from URD, http://www.urdusa.com/index.php?cPath=9_13
 
Thanks for the help! I was hoping it wasn't a big deal with the VSC lights. I reset the code yesterday morning and all the warning lights went away, but they came back last night. I guess the oxygen sensor is gonna get replaced.

Thanks for the link to URD. I'll check them out. Thanks again!!!

David
 
Check your brake fluid. lol. i had those same lights go on while i was towing a very light trailer. Took it to 2 different dealers and one mecahnic. Nobody could figure it out, I figured that it all had to do with brakes and my brakes had almost nothing left, and therefore used more fluid. i added more and boom they went off.
 
Warning lights

I have a tire that keeps dropping air preassure. This morning after putting air in the tire the dash lit up with Maint, Check, VSC Trac, and VSC Off. Runs fine, but it definitely does not have VSC and is rear wheel drive only from what I can tell. Checked the under the hood for fluid levels: oil, brake .... Checked gas cap based on comments here, no joy. My coworker has a Scanguage he is bringing in tomorrow to see what it is reporting.
 
Re: Warning lights

black70bird said:
I have a tire that keeps dropping air preassure. This morning after putting air in the tire the dash lit up with Maint, Check, VSC Trac, and VSC Off. Runs fine, but it definitely does not have VSC and is rear wheel drive only from what I can tell. Checked the under the hood for fluid levels: oil, brake .... Checked gas cap based on comments here, no joy. My coworker has a Scanguage he is bringing in tomorrow to see what it is reporting.
Click to expand...

when filling up your tires, dont forget the spare
 
david d, i have the same codes. it all started after i installed my cold air intake. when its cold sometimes they go out but when the engine gets up to operating temp. they come back on. thought it was a mass airflow sensor but thats not the case. anyway, if you have a cold air intake make sure all the sensors are hooked back up. good luck with it.
 
Warning lights

We hooked the 4Runner up to a friends Vibe's computer this morning and got C1600 and P0104. The MAF was 5 gal/sec and the 1st A/F has .456 volts varying up and down. He reset the codes but the MAINT light stayed on, everything else cleared. We will see if they come back on.

Edit:
Took it to the dealer on Thursday. The front tire had a utility knife blade stuck in the tread, the slow leak is now exposed. They would not have found it if the mechanic had not take the tire off the rim.

The A/F ratio sensor and C1600, VSC TRAC and VSC OFF, have not returned since we cleared the codes. Who knows!
 
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lol. utility knife blade stuck. ouch. This is why your tire keeps on going down in air pressure.





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If you ain't first your last!
My blog: fourby4
 
Mystery Solved

After taking the 4Runner to the dealer 3 times for this issue and always reporting different codes. I found the gas cap would not tighten. I purchased a new $25 OEM cap and replaced it. No more limp mode computer with VSC disabled. I could turn the cap by hand after removing it, I could not budge the new one.

Apparently what causes this combination of lights to come on is when the onboard diagnostics find a problem, the computer goes into limp mode. This mode will not support VSC, so that is disabled.
 
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Warning Lights

Check the gas cap! Forgetting to snug the cap TIGHT will cause those 3 lights to come on.

Scott
__________________
01 Sport
AT tires
removed running boards


Will tightening the cap cause the lights to go off it that was the cause?
 
Warning light reset

ih8dux said:
Check the gas cap! Forgetting to snug the cap TIGHT will cause those 3 lights to come on.

Scott
__________________
01 Sport
AT tires
removed running boards


Will tightening the cap cause the lights to go off it that was the cause?
Click to expand...

No, you have to have them reset or, reset them with your own code reader that is capable of resetting the OBD code. I have an Innova 3030e unit that cost ~$60 that is capable of resetting OBDC codes.:hatsoff:
 
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