VSC/TRAC ABS and CHECK ENGINE

2004 4runner SR5.

Ive done zero point on VSC lights. They come back on. This lead me to research the issue, turns out that the vehicle computer shuts off stability control if there is an issue with how the engine is performing. The codes I'm getting now are bank 2 cat. Is that something I can easily replace myself with a little bit of determination? Or should I take it to a mechanic and bend over?

 

I had the same lights come on. It turned out to be the gas cap. Bought a new one from the dealer, and solved the problem on ours.

 

I had the same issue. I replaced the gas cap, and the battery, which solved the problem.

This was on a 2003 V8 4WD with 118k miles.

 

Went to dealer and they said it was emission related. I hit a stump hard the day before and had a large dent in the catalitic converter. They turned of the light but said it will probably come back on. Also said that I was probably polluting more than others now. Anyone know how to turn off these lights?

 

Wow. Did they say how much the repair would cost?

 

it was going to be $130 to take it in and do full diagnosis. Also implied that it is no big deal.

 

In VA (where i'm at) you gotta pass emissions, otherwise they won't renew your plates. Hope it works out quickly, and you don't have an issue.

 

In SC with no emissions laws. Quote to replace cats is $3,ooo for both as they come with the manifolds attached. Anyone know a cheaper way to replace cats?

 

I'm battling these codes with my '06. Its not the gas cap either. I really don't want to spend $130 on diagnosis..

 

Auto Zone will do the test for free.

 

I pissed away a lot of money trying to avoid that $130, and in doing so I spent over $1,600 having crap done that didn't fix anything. Finally "that guy" at Auto Zone suggested I go to the Toyota dealership because their OBD reader was a LOT more sophistacated than theirs. It provides a complete "snap shot" of everything at the split second the code is triggered, from the water temp to the oil pressure. So, no, it wasn't my intake manifold gasket, no it wasn't the fuel injector O rings, no it wasn't the gas cap and no it wasn't the MAF, what it was, it was the fuel pump, which the shop that did all the needless shit concluded was fine. Toyota showed me my motor was running a 40/1 gas/air mixture, the max it can run, instead of the 14.7/1 it is supposed to run. He said I was about to burn the pistons up and ruin the motor. Had I spent that $130 first I would have that $1,600 in my pocket.

 

Hey guys, have the same issues with my 2006. Within 6 months I have replaced gas cap, fuel tank filler and charcoal cannister. My lights popped up this morning! Checked gas cap. Tried turning it off and on. Still lights are there. Any other suggestions?

 

Welcome to 4runners!

If you have replace the gas cap, then you can try a auto parts store. Like advance auto, O'Reilly's or somewhere similar. Or, you can pick up a code reader at harbor freight. They are not very expensive.

 

Thank you. I did end up buying one. See picture. P0456

 

This is out of the repair manual for my '08 tacoma. Maybe it will help.

 

Okay so this is an awesome timely thread! Instead of posting my own, let's see if I can get some feedback traction here in the same boat....

So I've had a dash like a christmas tree since 2 months after buying my truck 5 years ago. (150k then, replaced engine at 165k, 205k now.) Pulled several codes, and the longer I waited the more cascading codes came about. Vehicle runs fine, just annoying.


I recall early on when we did the codes it started with O2 sensors. Then others... then others. I've forgotten everything b'c it was never a problem. The only problem I notice (if it is even related), is a terrible exhaust odor 50% of the time.

I haven't done the O2 sensors b'c--- well, I'm "frugal." Hate to replace 1, or 2, or heck all 4! and it be of no help.

The new mechanic (knows I like to do a lot of my own work) pulled it as cam shaft position sensor bank 1.

Here's my thought... I've got not behavioral symptoms. Wouldn't a bad CSP sensor give me some kind of symptomology at some point in the last several years?

One CSP sensor is much better than 4 O2 sensors... but also not another $100+/- I want to spend if it isn't needed.


Any ideas, or questions to pin to me, are appreciated.


JB
(Lights are check engine, and the whole VSAC control series... thus why I pitched into this thread. Those I've read both O2 and cam sensor can trigger to disable, as mentioned above.)

 

You replaced gas cap? I assume. I replaced mine twice and the filler tank.

 

Yknow, I never have. Maybe bc it just seemed too far off and w the codes... Guess I should give it a shot at this stage... I can always take it back! Lol

Before I get to digging, were there any specific parameters to be sure of besidesjust a regular plastic gas cap?

Thx for calling me on the carpet!

 

Oem gas cap. Got mine cheap on Amazon. I replaced it cleared codes and all good.

 

No go on the cap. Seemed to stay off for a half second after the truck started, came back on. Did a reset (battery disconnect), came back on after about 20 seconds. Drove w it for about 40min to see if it would self reset, no luck.

Worth a try though!

Straight to CSP sensor? O2? Or any other thoughts?

Thx

 

Saw this forum and wanted to give a reply to hopefully help out anyone with these issues...

So i got my 4runner last August, and maybe about 200 miles after purchase, the VSC TRAC/VSC OFF lights popped up. Did some research, saw that it *could* be the gas cap, O2 sensor, bad cat, etc. I invested about $20 into a blutooth OBDII scanner to see the P0456 code pop. This isnt a gas cap, its more than likely the upstream O2 sensor on the passenger's side (Bank 2, Sensor 1).

What I did was a lot of trial and error, and hopefully you can save some $$$ by avoiding my failures

Go onto a website like rockauto.com, put in your vehicle info, and look up an O2 sensor. Buying from a website like this will save you A LOT of $$$ than going to an intermediary store like Pep Boys or Autozone. I have nothing against these stores, I use them a lot, but for auto parts that arent as frequently purchased (like an O2 sensor), youll spend way more than you need to. I spent ~$120 per sensor, and I replaced both the upstream and downstream on the passenger's side. Go to rockauto and youll spend maybe 30 or 40 per sensor.

Try to replace the sensor first. Sometimes they fail or get a bad read (ive even heard of people asking their mechanic to clean off the sensor thats already on there...I didnt go this route).

Now, after putting on the sensor, I drove for about 50 or so miles. Initially, the light went off. But, of course, it came back on. Like you, @swimupstream, I had a foul odor from the exhaust, especially at WOT on the highway (most noticeable with my back window down). Did some more research, and learned that the foul smell is coming from the cat starting to go. I didnt want to have to replace it, because it passed emissions, but it became a necessity.

The thing about the V8 4runner (not sure about all the other ones) is that there are multiple cats. Upstream and downstream. For the V8s, there is a cat attached to both exhaust manifolds. I wasnt wanting to risk the same issue occurring if I replaced the wrong part, so I decided it was time to change the cats on the passenger's side.

Since the faulty read was coming from the Bank 2, Sensor 1 location, and it didnt clear when changing sensors, I figured it was time to change the exhaust manifold. Once again, I went to rockauto and purchased both the passenger exhaust manifold and the downstream catalytic converter, and had a local shop put it in for me, at a cost of around $450 for labor. The part itself was around $300. There were more affordable options, I went with a better quality part because I dont want the same trouble within the next 100k miles...

Overall, the parts with labor and shipping probably cost around $800 for just the exhaust manifold and the labor. Of course, you could always save money if you have a mechanic friend who will help/work for beer, or if you find cheaper parts. Its completely up to the buyer and their budget. But not all of these issues are fixable with just a gas cap replacement (unfortunately, because it would be much more affordable).

*I dont work for rockauto, I just really love their product options, service, return policy, etc. Like most people, I want to save money and buy the part myself, even if I have to take it to the shop for the labor portion.

 

Old thread but to add in on this, my issue was a bad rear wheel bearing/seal that allowed water inside...to do diagnostics a code reader with ABS is almost a requirement to save time and money.

 

Just thought I'd add my experience in here as well, this was a very helpful thread for me to read. I did get a diagnostic from a parts store, and while I can't remember the exact code, I remember it being emissions related.

• I first tried the battery terminal suggestion. Lights went off, but then came on a day or so later and stayed on. Tried this multiple times, same result.
• I tried the gap cap suggestion, lights never went off.
• I bought MAF (Mass Air-flow) sensor cleaner and cleaned the MAF sensor...voila! It was a quick and cheap option and the lights have been off for over six months!

Thank goodness it wasn't the O2 sensors!

 

My 2004 SR5 V6 4Runner has a rebuilt engine. New exhaust manifold cats and 02 sensors. New radiator water pump . I went all out even replaced the 4wd actuator (genuine Toyota part). I still can’t get the VSC Trac lights to clear. Any ideas on what to do next. I m thinking about upgrading my suspension too. ???

 

You should probably start a new thread. Regardless, if you have:

CEL (with VSC and Trac) then you need to print out the codes and post them. VSC and Trac always come one with the CEL. The CEL says that you have an engine issue. You can NOT get rid of the Trac and VSC lights before you get rid of the CEL.

VSC and Trac (no CEL) then you need to have a reader that can read the ABS or Trac\VSC codes. Read them and post the codes. You CAN have a VSC and Trac light with NO CEL.