VSC off VSC trac lights on after carwash

[up5799]

I took my 100 in for a carwash and interior shampoo this afternoon, and when I picked it up the heater was on full and one of the workers was furiously pressing the Differential Lock button on and off in an effort to shine it. When I got in I noticed the VSC off and VSC trac lights were on (only) were on. I figured this was related to the pressing of the differential button, and drove home, thinking like the differential light they would go off after a few minutes of driving. Unfortunately they stayed on for the entire ride home, and went on again after I started and restarted the truck several times. Any thoughts on how this could have happened (water, switch malfunction?) Other than disconnecting the battery and checking the fuel tank cap, any ideas how to fix it?

 

[TheFuzz]

He engaged your center diff lock while messing with the switch, that's what the lights mean. With the CDL engaged, VSC is disabled - hence the warning light.

If you don't regularly use the center diff lock, it can stick on. Push the button so that it's in the out position (it's a click-type switch, if you push it and it stays forward, the diff lock is engaged, if it pops out, diff lock is disengaged). If the lights don't go off on their own, the diff lock is stuck. No big deal. With the diff lock switch in the off (out) position, find a safe place to drive in reverse in a straight line for 20 or 30 feet. You will feel a small thunk and the diff lock will disengage. Lights should go off then. Cycle the diff on and off a few times, and it shouldn't stick again.

Tell the car wash mooks not to push random buttons.

 

[lhommec13]

On a similar note, the "VSC Trac" and "VSC OFF" lights lit up on the instrument panel of my parents' 2005 LX470, ALONG WITH the Check Engine Light (CEL). I know the OP only had the first two lights and no CEL, but what do you guys think about all three light up together?

 

[LSUfj]

On a similar note, the "VSC Trac" and "VSC OFF" lights lit up on the instrument panel of my parents' 2005 LX470, ALONG WITH the Check Engine Light (CEL). I know the OP only had the first two lights and no CEL, but what do you guys think about all three light up together?

I think a CEL will trigger both of the other lights. Just check the code on the CEL. Probably something simple like an O2 sensor.