ABS, VSC Trac, VSC Off, and Brake lights on

[ELW2]

I have a 2002 LX470 (2UZ-FE).

Four dashboard lights are on and stay on continuously:

ABS (amber)
VSC Trac (amber)
VSC Off (amber)
Brake (red)

The vehicle still drives normal.

This condition started a couple weeks ago and has continued ever since.

Any diagnostic or troubleshooting ideas for me?

Thanks very much for any insight or ideas you care to share.

 

[Nospell]

Same thing happened to me about two weeks ago. They were on for about a day, and then whent off before I could get to the dealer.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Searching there's been a couple others with the same thing, but no reported resolution:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/255797-abs-vsc-brakes-lights-oh-my.html

 

[vcheng]

This is potentially an expensive repair, requiring a new brake actuator/accumulator assembly. Mine was covered under warranty which has now expired. About 1200 to 1800 dollars if I recall correctly.

 

[ELW2]

In order to get the diagnostic trouble codes, I jumpered terminals Tc and E1 in the engine comparment diagnostic connecter.

The dashboard showed the following diagnostic trouble codes:

ABS light code 33: Right Rear wheel speed sensor signal malfunction.

VSC Trac light code 43: Malfunction in ABS control system.

The navigation screen shows diagnostic information in Japanese. On the Nav screen each components says OK, except one of the ECUs which says "NG", which I assume means Not Good.

The problem ECU is shown on the top right of the Nav screen and is marked with two Japanese characters. The first Japanese character looks like a backwards "t" and the second looks like a t with a quote " above it. And then the english letters ECU. Sort of like: tt"ECU NG

I tried the Repair Manual procedure to reset the ABS and VSC lights back to normal, but the trouble status remains.

I unplugged both ends of the right rear speed sensor, and both ends look perfectly clean. No rust or corrosion or dirt on the connecting parts. I cleaned the connectors with brake cleaner and applied dialectric grease.

The trouble codes remain.

Any other ideas of things I should examine to diagnose the problem?

 

[ELW2]

Are the two diagnostic trouble codes directly related?

In other words, is ABS code #33 (right rear wheel speed sensor signal malfunction) causing VSC code #43 (malfunction in ABS control system) ?

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Likely. The ABS code is probably metallic dust that's collected on the sensor - very easy to clean off. Since the VSC system uses the ABS system, I would imagine a fault in one would cause a fault in the other.

 

[ELW2]

Thanks very much for contributions on this thread.

The problem was indeed the Right Rear Wheel Speed Sensor.

I was able to repair the sensor wire.

Repairing the sensor restored the ABS system to normal operation, which in turn restored the VSC system to normal operation.

The VSC light was on solely because the ABS system was not functioning.

All is well now.

Note: When re-installing the sensor cylinder in the wheel, coat the outside of the cylinder with ATF fluid.

 

[Jimi James]

Thanks very much for contributions on this thread.

The problem was indeed the Right Rear Wheel Speed Sensor.

I was able to repair the sensor wire.

Repairing the sensor restored the ABS system to normal operation, which in turn restored the VSC system to normal operation.

The VSC light was on solely because the ABS system was not functioning.

All is well now.

Note: When re-installing the sensor cylinder in the wheel, coat the outside of the cylinder with ATF fluid.

Can you elaborate on this repair - pics or detailed description possibly? I have had the same lights just come on all of a sudden (VSC TRAC / VSC off / ABS) and I'd like to try a few things before taking it to the dealer.

Thanks.

 

[ELW2]

Can you elaborate on this repair - pics or detailed description possibly? I have had the same lights just come on all of a sudden (VSC TRAC / VSC off / ABS) and I'd like to try a few things before taking it to the dealer.

Thanks.

First step is to pull teh Diagnostic Trouble Codes, as described earlier in the thread.

Let us know what the codes are.

 

[nilopol]

Hello all, I myself had the same lights (ABS/VSC trac/VSC off) light went amber. I am bringing my '00 LC in for 120K service anyway this tuesday and was going to have them (dealer) take a look. Does anyone have an estimate of pricing/repair when taken to their dealerships? Thanks

 

[odessit]

Did you get this fixed? What was the culprit?

I have the same issue: ABS/VSC Trac/VSC Off lights are on. At few stops braking was a bit funny - it seemed like ABS engaged in front on dry surface.

I plugged cheap OBD II reader in and got no codes! This is odd. Or to be expected? Should I short some connectors in engine diagnostics compartment (as suggested in one of the posts) to get the codes displayed?

I got LC 04, 67K. had CEL/VSC Off/Trac Off due to evap canister and a sensor in evap system failure some time ago - I doubt that this is related.

Currently away from home - 100 miles - should make it back on Saturday - will read FSM and see what I can do myself.

 

[hankinid]

I plugged cheap OBD II reader in and got no codes! This is odd. Or to be expected? Should I short some connectors in engine diagnostics compartment (as suggested in one of the posts) to get the codes displayed?

A generic obd2 reader will (meaning 'should') give you industry-wide standard codes. If the code is particular to Toyota or the LC/LX family, you need to do the jumper on the diagnostic connector under the hood, or have the codes read by your dealer.

hth & let us know what you end up with.

Steve

 

[odessit]

now the problem became intermittent. will post once I get more information/resolution

 

[odessit]

Finally got around to read FSM. Says to short circuit DLC3 contacts CG and Tc. As I understand this is OBD II connector. Right? Do I need the special jumper (SST 09843-18020 or 09843-18040) or would any reasonable piece of wire will do?

Where is DLC1 located? It is listed as alternative for putting a jumper.

Would Toyota tester pick the code as my OBD II reader (cheap one from Costo) does not show any.

 

[odessit]

when short circuited DLC3 contacts CG and Tc (DLC3 is located on the passenger side under the hood - mounted near the edge - nof far from the air filter) - I got blinking code 31 for ABS - 3 short blinks, pause, one more blink. According to FSM - it was right front wheel speed sensor. My mechanic replaced it - took about 2.5 hours as hard plastic housing was stuck - end up torching it a bit as pulling, getting a screw in etc. did not work.
Few days passed and no lights came up - so I hope everything is fixed. Just wanted to post in case if somebody has similar problem

 

[LCHardriver_02]

I have had this issue that has been intermittent for over 2 years. For me, it only has happened in the winter. Have replaced the yaw rate sensor (code showed this), but the problem has persisted. The dealer was going to replace the ECM, but could not confirm that it would fix and since it was under warranty (at the time) they did not want to replace it without confirmation. Hence the two year duration. Since then, I have slid into about a 45 deg. angle from where I was driving to test the VSC system, with it NOT RESPONDING. I drive very carefully now on slippery surfaces. On non-slippery surfaces, I have no issues, but it is always in the back of my mind.

I will be watching this thread to see if anyone comes up with a fix...

 

[odessit]

Sorry to hear about your problem. It is too late, but you got to be more agressive with the dealer. If the car is under warranty - they fix the problem or... replace the car. I am not familiar with lemon laws in Idaho, but some provisions should be in place.
Is it just VSC light which is on? Did you try to read the code yourself? I had ABS/VSC/Traction control lights on. Truck definitely drives better now. Mine was opposite though - would light up after some driving so I assume something was shorting/overheating in the speed sensor

 

[LCHardriver_02]

In my situation, I reported the issue while under warranty and had it noted that due to the fact that the problem was intermittent, I wanted it documented that the problem had NOT been fixed and therefore would remain a warranty item until it was resolved, regardless of the mileage or age.

The symptoms that I was seeing was intermittent VSC light and no engagement of skid control. TRACK works fine. In fact, I took the truck off road this last Feb. and was able to cruise right up a very muddy / snowy hill and TRACK was going nuts, but doing its job. My issue seems to be specifically dealing with the VSC circuit. As for me reading the codes, no, I have not done that. The thing is when the light does come on it is when we are driving and typically turns back off within seconds or of course when my wife is driving it on her way to work and she cannot divert to go to the dealer. I do plan on following up with the service manager at the dealer to make sure they still have that ticket open and if not... reopen it, as I am now the primary driver and will divert at ANY time I see the problem again.

Not knowing if it will kick in or not just leaves me unsettled.

 

[NMuzj100]

Even if the light goes out the code is still in the memory and the dealer techs will be able to pull it.