100 Series problems....

[AggieLC]

Ok so my beloved cruiser has two problems I need addressed.
1). It has The check engine light, the vsc trac and the vsc off lights on. I've had one cat replaced and both sensors a local shop said was out, they mentioned my other one was ready to go and sure enough 3 days later my lights are back on...... Not happy after dishing out serious cash
2). Every time it rains and I'm driving the transmission feels like it goes into a safe mode and won't let the gears grab and give me power, no acceleration at all, I can barely even drive, I'm assuming it's a sensor or something getting wet but I can pull over, turn off the car and turn it back on after 10 seconds and all is fine, but it's incredibly annoying.
Anyways I hate seeing the check engine light and I don't want to take the rig out to play if I have to worry about getting in a sticky situation and it starts raining, I'm new to the forum and cruisers, hell im new to cars with fancy computers, any help will be greatly appreciated, thanks

 

[planomateo]

First thing I'd do is figure out what the check engine light is coming on for. If you don't have a scanner, then stop by Autozone, OReillys, etc as they'll plug in a reader into the OBDII port for free and provide you the diag codes.

 

[2001LC]

What year, how many miles and what modification?

 

[planomateo]

AND post up the codes when you get them so you can get some guidance.

 

[92LXAZ]

Yep exactly what @planomateo said, both times. My guess is the other cat. I just had a P0420 code not too long ago, replaced both cats as I didn't want to take a chance. The vsc lights always come on when the ce light comes on I believe as more of a precaution, so those shouldn't be anything. Sorry no help on the engine/tranny drag.

 

[2001LC]

This is a real shot in the dark:

Coolant temp not reaching optimal operating temp will keep transmission in low gears. Also will give bad cat readings. Most common is from weak thermostat opening to soon or stuck open. Temp gauge will normally read low but not always. Cabin heater will be weak, should be very hot. "Pulling over and turning off" temps go up which points also to temp issue.

2004 & early 2005 had transmission issue (TBS shutter at low speed), but OP issues sound different. Flushing helped with this TSB.

 

[Warde]

Replace your gas cap

 

[slimbuddha]

I'm guessing TPS sensor.. I don't think its related to the rain. When it is going out, it is intermittent, then suddenly it gets worse. Need to check your code though.

 

[AggieLC]

One time i did pull over and remove the cap and put it back on and it worked, not anymore. I'm sure if i go back to that shop they will say yea its cat so they can bust me for another grand..
anyway here's a mods list: 2003 with 145,000 miles
- Doug Thorley Headers
- 4.88 gears
- TJM air lockers front and rear
- compressor hose and everything
- OME torsion bars and UCA's
- drop diff kit
- Icon 2.5 Front shocks
- Slee heavy rear springs ome shocks
- 295/70/18 tires
- Dual battery setup
- speedometer corrector
- Bumpers, winch
- full skid plates
- sliders
- Drawer system
I really dont want to keep fixing all this expensive stuff and not fix the problem.

 

[SWUtah]

Buy a new OEM gas cap from Toyota and clear the codes.

 

[gwatts]

Every time it rains is a clue. Have you looked on the drivers side behind the kick panel? There are many connections back there and I found several of mine corroded, not sure how the water was getting there (clogged drain), but after I cleaned them up, no more #2 for me. Although it only happened when it was really cold. Most likely, completely unrelated.

 

[cwininger]

third on the gas cap. my '04 threw about six codes all at once, including p0420. changed the gas cap, cleared the codes, and it's been all good.

 

[AggieLC]

Ok ill try the gas cap and see what happens, ill post back with the results and keep yall updated, thank you for your time

 

[abuck99]

Oh dear, it's your diff drop....

Seriously, do you have the FSM? In the Diagnostics section (DI) of the manual it will help you trouble shoot this and take a lot of the guesswork out. If you don't have it, post up a dropbox address and you'll have that section in short order.

Get the torque app or scanguage II so you can read & clear codes.

 

[AggieLC]

The torque app sounds like the way to go! thanks abuck

 

[ibrahim83]

Have you checked your intake, no cracks or leaks bypassing your maf sensor? Is your maf sensor connected properly? Had the exact symptoms on a lexus, turns out the plug to the maf was loose.

What codes are you getting. That's step one

 

[planomateo]

The torque app sounds like the way to go! thanks abuck

No, go with the Techsteam. Way better...

 

[AggieLC]

Well a quick update.... Took a 2 hour car trip to buy a dog for the gf... And after picking up the puppy the check engine and vsc lights went off, so the puppy fixed the problem

 

[SWUtah]

Well a quick update.... Took a 2 hour car trip to buy a dog for the gf... And after picking up the puppy the check engine and vsc lights went off, so the puppy fixed the problem

Did you already put on a new gas cap?

 

[AggieLC]

Nope didn't change a thing. I'm sure the lights will come back on again soon, fingers crossed though. Have a four hour drive tomorrow and back on Sunday so im gonna put some miles on her this weekend, ill be going from a near empty tank to full in the morning if it is the gas cap ill find out.