CEL with 'VSC Trac' and 'VSC Off' lights on (1 Viewer)

[Naples Cruiser]

JohnyC , i did check the cap, maybe i'll check it again , did not check the codes yet , this happened today and i might get the dealer to do it

 

[JohnnyC]

i would just erase off the codes...and drive it around...see if the lights come back on...if they do then take it in...since it came on after the refuel...i would say its nothing more than just a bad seated gas cap

 

[Naples Cruiser]

how do you erase the codes though , i would imagine that you need a diagnostic code reader can any garage do that?

 

[JohnnyC]

unplug the battery..wait 15 min...plug back in

you will have to reset your radio


they also say if you drive it for 40 trips over 5 miles...it will reset it self if its not a "hard code".....


if you unplug and erase off....andf the lights come back...its a "hard code" then take it in

 

[Naples Cruiser]

thanks , i am unpluging my battery as we speak.....

 

[Naples Cruiser]

so far so good , i replugged the battery and everything is fine.....could have been the gas cap then ...(i hope...!!)
thank you guys , as usual great info on MUD....

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I wouldn't erase the codes and drive to see if they come back. What if something is wrong with the brake booster and something were to happen? I would read codes FIRST (for free!) and then try a reset later depending on the outcome. Too late now.

I wouldn't erase the codes and drive to see if they come back. What if something is wrong with the brake booster and something were to happen? I would read codes FIRST (for free!) and then try a reset later depending on the outcome. Too late now.

NEVERMIND! I thought you had VSC, TRAC and ABS lights on. You have no ABS light but rather CEL. No worries! WHOOOPS!

 

[Topmounter]

I recommend everyone investing in an OBDCII code reader such as this one:

ACTRON CODE READER

You can pick these things up at auto parts stores for $59.99 or less and they fit nicely in the glove box.

 

[boze_man]

hey all...need some help pls!!! we are moving friday and house is getting packed up so no real time/access to tools.

this condition pops up this morn but with a p0031 code...o2 sensor?? is this a DO NOT DRIVE condition or can i drive to our new home 1750miles away and sort there?? i dont think i have time to fiddle with and would hate to take to stealeship but if have no choice then what can ya do.

yday had the "CDL" and "VSC off" lites come on (no CEL) and could not switch back easily...i would hit cdl switch and could hear a 'whirring' sound but it would not switch...finally after numerous attempts, shutting vehicle on/off, and moving forward/reverse did it switch back... now today have the condition above ONLY "CEL" and "VSC trac" and "VSC off"...

any help appreciated

thanks again
bill

 

[boze_man]

code definition per autozone....
o2 sensor heater control circuit low- bank 1 sensor 1

prob cause
1 open or short circuit condition
2 poor electrical connection
3 failed o2 sensor
4 efi relay fault

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

yday had the "CDL" and "VSC off" lites come on (no CEL) and could not switch back easily...i would hit cdl switch and could hear a 'whirring' sound but it would not switch...finally after numerous attempts, shutting vehicle on/off, and moving forward/reverse did it switch back... now today have the condition above ONLY "CEL" and "VSC trac" and "VSC off"...

any help appreciated

thanks again
bill

If the CDL is locking and unlocking AND Traction Control kicks in off road when needed then have the dealer check the little switch inside the T-case that sends the lock/unlock signal to the CPU. My dealer replaced the entire CPU FIRST (under warranty) and when it still didn't work they discovered it was just the cheapy little switch. Swapped switches and all's been well for years.

 

[2000UZJ]

this condition pops up this morn but with a p0031 code...o2 sensor?? is this a DO NOT DRIVE condition or can i drive to our new home 1750miles away and sort there?? i dont think i have time to fiddle with and would hate to take to stealeship but if have no choice then what can ya do.



any help appreciated

thanks again
bill

Bill,

You can drive with a bad 02 sensor, you MPG will suffer, it takes about 20 minutes to change them.

 

[hankinid]

It can be almost anything...

hi there , i am resurecting this thread because my check engine light , the VSC TRAC and the VSC OFF lights are on all the time started right after a re-fueling a couple of hours ago.....checked the gas cap, restarted a few times and drove for a while and the lights are still on , anymore opinions about what sudenly causes that ? my car is 2005 and 37000 miles .
thanx Erick.

Mine began setting off the CEL, the VSC TRAC and the VSC OFF lamps around 6 months ago; issue only happened when I turned on the headlights.

Cause was a frayed harness where the tailgate wiring crosses over between the body and tailgate...harness has shorted out to the little tab on the body side that holds the harness in place. Fixed and no longer an issue.

Steve

 

[boze_man]

thanks guys...i gonna try to take a look see tomoro before packers show up...

any thoughts on my symptoms prior to the CEL? would that diagnose anything different?

thanks

 

[Montana Sig]

I found this thread exceptionally helpful, so I'll add in my experience.

This weekend, we had another cold snap, with temps overnight that dipped well below zero. In getting ready to go skiing the next morning, I fired up the LC only to hear sort of clunk. The engine briefly stalled, recovered and fired up. The CEL lit up and shortly thereafter the VSC OFF and VSC TRAC also popped.

In trying to put the rig in gear, it went into Reverse just fine, with the proper RPM change. When I hit the gas; no dice. Nothing. Same in Drive.

Turned the rig off, waited a minute. Fired 'er back up and I was able to get in gear; but the CEL and VSC pair of lights were still on.

Hopped on MUD and noticed the gas cap thing. Sure enough! Re-tightened the cap with the LC running and the light popped off immediately as did the VSC lights. Good to go!

Now, I just need to address the battery and/or alternator; dim lights.

 

[hoch]

Montana - the gas cap not being tight shouldn't affect the driveability--meaning when you stepped on the gas, the vehicle shouldn't still moved. How many miles on your rig and when's the last time you changed out the transmission fluid?

 

[Montana Sig]

Montana - the gas cap not being tight shouldn't affect the driveability--meaning when you stepped on the gas, the vehicle shouldn't still moved. How many miles on your rig and when's the last time you changed out the transmission fluid?

Mind you, the weather was exceptionally cold that morning; well below zero and the rig wasn't in a garage that night. The fuel level was also very low and it was parked on a slight incline. It could have very well been starved for fuel for a moment due to the extreme cold.

I think she has about 170k on it now. I'll need to check the records from the previous owner. I have absolutely no reason to believe that transmission is in need of work or a fluid change. I had it assessed before I purchased it about 6 months ago from the local Toyota expert and received a clean bill of health.

It has been running like a top since this all happened. The battery is getting checked today. And if needed, the alternator is getting checked next Monday.

 

[hoch]

So the engine cut out when you stepped on the gas? Or did the gear just not engage? If the latter, that's not a fuel starvation issue.

Only reason I brought this up is, because there was a 4Runner with the same issues that I read about. The symptoms started in extreme cold and kept on happening even when it started getting warmer. Turned out, the transmission fluid hadn't been changed for a while (or overheated) and when they dropped the pan, there was 3-4" of sludge just sitting on the bottom. When it was warm, it flowed through the transmission ok. But when it was cold, it did not, which kept the transmission from engaging. I hope that's not the case with yours.

 

[Montana Sig]

So the engine cut out when you stepped on the gas? Or did the gear just not engage? If the latter, that's not a fuel starvation issue.

Only reason I brought this up is, because there was a 4Runner with the same issues that I read about. The symptoms started in extreme cold and kept on happening even when it started getting warmer. Turned out, the transmission fluid hadn't been changed for a while (or overheated) and when they dropped the pan, there was 3-4" of sludge just sitting on the bottom. When it was warm, it flowed through the transmission ok. But when it was cold, it did not, which kept the transmission from engaging. I hope that's not the case with yours.

Nope. Go back and re-read my initial post. The transmission engaged just fine. The engine sputtered just after start-up and I received no response from the gas pedal.

When I restarted the truck. Things were fine, save for the CEL and VSC lights. And since then, things have been great!

 

[hoch]

In trying to put the rig in gear, it went into Reverse just fine, with the proper RPM change. When I hit the gas; no dice. Nothing. Same in Drive.

Turned the rig off,...

Not trying to argue with you, but this says you had the transmission in "gear", with the engine was running, but no TRANSMISSION engagement. Or am I reading it wrong?