New 200 Owner - VSC system error

[Ferty]

Hello all, from sunny South Africa!

I've recently picked up a 2007 LC 200 4.7 equipped with a Harrop supercharger!

It has been super fun to drive and have enjoyed it thus far.

I have had a look around previous threads on the matter trying to find info, but none seemed to be exactly the same as the issue I am encountering.

I'm having an issue that when engaging my centre diff lock, I am getting a "check VSC system" error on the dash. The diff locks and unlocks as per normal, and it goes into and out of 4LO as per normal. But the error remains and won't clear until the car is turned off and on again.

Hoping the combined knowledge of the forum can maybe point me in the right direction as where to start looking to rectify this!

Here's a picture of the error and a couple of the new steed!

 

[Sajan]

What codes do you have?

I have read something about O2 sensors triggering 4-LOW/VSC lights on the dash.
Might be odd logic but something about emission related issues trigger these warning lights.

 

[efjayatee]

These could caused the VSC error:

Loose gas cap
Q2 sensor
Speed sensor
loose/disconnected/leaking vacuum hose

 

[efjayatee]

On my gen1 Sequoia 4.7L with 3" lift and over sized tires....,.I deliberately turn off my VSC for safety reasons. In wet roads when trying to excelerate, the VSC kicks in and retarted my exceleration causing a dangerous "limp mode," situation. Or when taking a sharp corner at 50mph, the VSC would try to correct the vehicle causing me to fight steering.
To disable the VSC and TRAC, I unplug a connector at the master cylinder plug.

And yes I took it to a dealer to calibrate the pitch/yaw sensor with no success.

 

[HighRanch]

These could caused the VSC error:

Loose gas cap
Q2 sensor
Speed sensor
loose/disconnected/leaking vacuum hose

Also seen this occur when I ran my battery down and had to jump start....had the dealer restart my ECU and appy an update. I am driving a 2016+ Land Cruiser though and not sure if you would see the same electronic warnings.

 

[Ferty]

Thanks for all the responses thus far!

No error codes are shown on the OBD, no "check engine light" comes on, so not 100% sure.

I did have to replace the battery about a week after I got it. It had the occasional 4LO blinking on start-up as well as the driver's side (passenger side in US) seat heater light that was staying illuminated. Though, since replacing the battery, neither of these have come back after about a month of daily driving. I read up a bit about those and it did seem to point to the battery being on it's way out.

I am thinking something along the lines of the switch for the centre diff lock being the issue. As it doesn't show the error on the dash when switcing into 4LO with the diff unlocked.

 

[dubaicruiser]

I once had VSC error after battery disconnection and fixed it with a recalibration or ZPC through techstream. Not likely the case here, but no harm in trying it.

Also, a standard OBD-II scanner won’t show ABS/VSC codes. Hook up Techstream to pull the C-codes from the Skid Control ECU and 4WD ECU.
Locking the center diff commands the VSC system to deactivate, the ABS ECU expects a clean confirmation signal from the transfer case position switch. If that switch has high resistance, dirty contacts, or the signal doesn’t reach the ECU within the expected timeout, it trips 'Check VSC System'. Check for codes like C1340 (Open Circuit in Center Diff Lock Signal) or actuator switch issues.

 

[Ferty]

I once had VSC error after battery disconnection and fixed it with a recalibration or ZPC through techstream. Not likely the case here, but no harm in trying it.

Also, a standard OBD-II scanner won’t show ABS/VSC codes. Hook up Techstream to pull the C-codes from the Skid Control ECU and 4WD ECU.
Locking the center diff commands the VSC system to deactivate, the ABS ECU expects a clean confirmation signal from the transfer case position switch. If that switch has high resistance, dirty contacts, or the signal doesn’t reach the ECU within the expected timeout, it trips 'Check VSC System'. Check for codes like C1340 (Open Circuit in Center Diff Lock Signal) or actuator switch issues.

Thanks dubaicruiser!

I will be sure to do so. Will take it to my local mechanic, I'm pretty sure he has a Techstream. As it is not showing anything on my ScanGauge

 

[Sajan]

Thanks dubaicruiser!

I will be sure to do so. Will take it to my local mechanic, I'm pretty sure he has a Techstream. As it is not showing anything on my ScanGauge

Is Scanguage the only thing you are using to look at codes?

I know my buddy's 100 series was showing similar errors and there were other codes stored I saw with my Techstream.
So I would do a thorough scan using Techstream.

If this all started after the battery swap, then definitely do a Zero Point Calibration.

 

[Ferty]

Is Scanguage the only thing you are using to look at codes?

I know my buddy's 100 series was showing similar errors and there were other codes stored I saw with my Techstream.
So I would do a thorough scan using Techstream.

If this all started after the battery swap, then definitely do a Zero Point Calibration.

Yes, ScanGauge is all I'm using currently, but will hook it up to Techstream at the mechanic.

It was doing it before the battery swap as well, but the swap seems to have resolved the 4LO light intermittently blinking on start-up. Now the only problem that remains is the check VSC system when I try engage the CDL.

I found a video on Youtube that seems like it could point to one of the actuator motors or switches within it being the problem. This guy obviously had a more serious issue that me, but seems logical to the problem I'm experiencing.

Likewise stumbled upon this thread that may point to a similar issue: Transfer Case Tuneup and Fix - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/transfer-case-tuneup-and-fix.1215394/

 

[Sajan]

Yes, ScanGauge is all I'm using currently, but will hook it up to Techstream at the mechanic.

It was doing it before the battery swap as well, but the swap seems to have resolved the 4LO light intermittently blinking on start-up. Now the only problem that remains is the check VSC system when I try engage the CDL.

I found a video on Youtube that seems like it could point to one of the actuator motors or switches within it being the problem. This guy obviously had a more serious issue that me, but seems logical to the problem I'm experiencing.

Likewise stumbled upon this thread that may point to a similar issue: Transfer Case Tuneup and Fix - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/transfer-case-tuneup-and-fix.1215394/

I wouldn't go down that rabbit hole just yet because you said it does lock and unlock.

Could be as simple as a loose gas cap...