Check engine VSCtrac VSC off lights on

[zipastro]

I did a search and found the monster thread but seems like all the info is for older 100's.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/127474-tps-apps-problems.html

Mine is a 2004 with 80K miles. We just got back from a 800 mile trip and it ran great. 2 days later all the lights came on while out on a short drive. No loss of power or anything else, does anyone have any ideas from their past experiences?

 

[NMuzj100]

The truck is saying "Something is wrong, let me tell you what it is."

Plug in a code reader and listen.

 

[highonpottery]

i just had issues with mine as well. had the vsc/trac and the vsc off lights on as well as flickering cdl light. we took the 100 on a couple hundred mile road trip and a couple days later after normal driving, the lights came on. i tried looking for the problem myself and after coming up emptyhanded, ended up paying the dealer $100 to figure it out for me - tried to get it covered under extended drivetrain warranty. would have qualified if it were the actual sensor that had failed, but not this time. felt like a complete moron when they found that there was an unplugged t-case sensor dangling that i failed to notice (musta been partially attached when i looked). dunno how it possibly came loose since it clips in like 99% of all other plugs on vehicles. plugging it back in worked like a charm, no more lights, although afterward they tried to sell me on $350 to replace the wiring on the pigtail of the plug since it supposedly rubbed a little on the front driveshaft. i haven't had time to look at the actual wiring since; but no thanks, i think i can splice a couple wires just as well as them or just slap on some electrical tape or shrink tube since the wires are 100% intact and just the sheathing is scuffed a little bit.

so yeah, i'd check the sensor first.

 

[EdsCruisin]

Head to your local auto parts store and ask them to read the codes.

 

[alfredhybrid]

My wife just called from the LC and has the same issue. VSC Trac, VSC Off and CEL lights all on.

We recently replaced the battery in her key fob and the plastic broke (new one on order) and it completely separates from the key once you start the car. So we have a key ring and fob in our hand, the key blank is in the ignition switch.

Other than that, the only other issue I can think of is a couple of days ago, I dropped my son off at school in the LC. When pulling away from school, it sounded like I was dragging a link of hurricane (chain link) fence along railroad track. The sound lasted only 100 yards or so.

I'll be bringing it to the local AutoZone (no affiliation) this evening to get the codes checked.

 

[odessit]

I had the same issue with my 04 LC. VSC off and Traction Off go on when Check Engine goes on (this is what I was told). Replaced charcoal canister (around $400) and one of the sensors in evaporation system (around $150) - both for free under extended warranty. Please search this forum using my user name for more details on my trouble codes and history of resolution.

 

[alfredhybrid]

I brought it to the local parts store and got code P0120. At that time, no lights on.

I thought it may have gone away, but it popped up again today, this time with me driving. On the way to the store, no lights. Leaving the store, the CEL, VSC Trac and VSC Off lights all came on. Also, I had to push the gas pedal all the way to the floor to get any acceleration. Turned the truck off and back on and the lights stayed on, but the gas pedal worked fine.

The code sheet at the local parts store recommended replacing the Throttle Position Sensor. Any experience with this error or if the TPS replace fixes the issue?

 

[EdsCruisin]

I brought it to the local parts store and got code P0120. At that time, no lights on.

I thought it may have gone away, but it popped up again today, this time with me driving. On the way to the store, no lights. Leaving the store, the CEL, VSC Trac and VSC Off lights all came on. Also, I had to push the gas pedal all the way to the floor to get any acceleration. Turned the truck off and back on and the lights stayed on, but the gas pedal worked fine.

The code sheet at the local parts store recommended replacing the Throttle Position Sensor. Any experience with this error or if the TPS replace fixes the issue?

Lots of discussion on the TPS and APPS here. Do some searches and check the FAQs. There is no other solution except replacement. My TPS never went bad but I had two APPS go bad.

 

[NMuzj100]

My guess is the "dragging chain link" sound is the infamous "cat rattle" and unrelated to the CEL.

Rattling Cat from the FAQ

TPS/APPS FAQ - Quick answer = R&R APPS

And in case you didn't know. You can buy just the key case online so you don't have to buy a new $200 key.

 

[alfredhybrid]

Will do on the hose clamps on the CAT shields. Thanks for that.

I ordered the 9.99 key fob housing off ebay the other day. Have the existing one held together with some crazy glue.

The TPS/APPS FAQ link above points to the CAT thread. Tried searching for that, no luck.

Hate to hear it's the APPS. almost 3 times the cost....

Thanks

 

[NMuzj100]

Fixed link above

 

[alfredhybrid]

Thanks. I'm constantly amazed at how these forums (rennlist.com for my Porsche) can help a non mechanic like myself track down issues like these. I have half of my engine apart on my 911 right now chasing down oil leaks with forum help.

 

[1loudLX]

Rennlist will never be the same without JohnD owning it....poor 964 sitting there in the cold half apart

 

[alfredhybrid]

Don't know JohnD, but have seen posts.

2 weeks or so and I should be able to get the 911 back running. No worries about cold, can keep the garage at 70 degrees with the heater in there. Just had to get a pic with the bumper off and the snow falling.

 

[1loudLX]

Don't know JohnD, but have seen posts.

2 weeks or so and I should be able to get the 911 back running. No worries about cold, can keep the garage at 70 degrees with the heater in there. Just had to get a pic with the bumper off and the snow falling.

he started RL. I miss the heat of the 964 on those cold winter mornings with the top down. Exhaust heat was practically instantaneous compared to the 997. Air-cooled, oh the memories.

 

[tommy854runner]

Must be something in the air with the VSC light off thing. I cranked mine up last night and the vsc off and trac off lights came on. Drove fine in my neighberhood. Turned it off then back on and the lights went away. Put it in 4lo around the neighberhood and the lights came back on again. Guess I need to get a code reader.

 

[EdsCruisin]

Must be something in the air with the VSC light off thing. I cranked mine up last night and the vsc off and trac off lights came on. Drove fine in my neighberhood. Turned it off then back on and the lights went away. Put it in 4lo around the neighberhood and the lights came back on again. Guess I need to get a code reader.

I think if you tabulated those of us that had the problem, they were more likely in the winter than the summer anyway. Something about the cold?

 

[Azmantra]

I did a search and found the monster thread but seems like all the info is for older 100's.

TPS/APPS problems

Mine is a 2004 with 80K miles. We just got back from a 800 mile trip and it ran great. 2 days later all the lights came on while out on a short drive. No loss of power or anything else, does anyone have any ideas from their past experiences?

Did you ever find a fix for this issue zipastro? Just had vsc off, vsctrac and check engine light on way home from work. Gonna check sensors /fuses first thing...

 

[FOPLawyer]

I have had ongoing vsc vsctrak light issues related to a failed heater circuit in the rear passenger side o2 sensor (which is unheated) but when i replaced the sensor the lights stayed on. Check to see if all of your dash PRNDL lights are working. If one is out it will set off the CEL and disable traction control etc. Usually you can hit the dash over the speedometer and it will jar the bulb into illuminating whichever one is out. I had the reverse light out once and everything came back to normal when I beat the dashboard about 95% as hard as i could with a closed fist. Just recently had the P light out and beat the dash into submission again. YMMV.

 

[Azmantra]

Haha, whatever works right! Thanks for the feedback, I'll check it out in the morning.