VSC/A-TRAC Warning Lights

broknlgs24 · 09-23-2004, 06:23 AM

this past monday, my GF noticed that the VSC and A-Trac Warning Lights were lit up. the day before, my 4 year old nephew was playing in the car while we washed it. this being the case, i thought that maybe he had put the vehicle in 4wd. after making sure that this wasn't the case and switching back and forth from 2wd to 4wd, the lights remain on. any suggestions?

thanks in advance,
brian

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lee · 09-23-2004, 06:48 AM

is your check engine light on as well?

broknlgs24 · 09-23-2004, 07:01 AM

well, my GF claims that it stays on; however, i was in it last night and do not remember it staying lit. i will have to check when i get home from work. if it's on, what does that mean? if it's off, what's that mean?

lee · 09-23-2004, 07:13 AM

those lights come on with the check engine light. youll at that point have to get the code pulled (auto zone) or take it into the dealer.

hillbilly · 09-23-2004, 07:24 AM

Check out the "Active traction control system failure warning" on page 120 of your manual. The manual states that if the VSC OFF/A-Trac lights are both lit continuously, it may indicate a potential problem with the A-Trac/ABS system.

That section also states: "Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the "VSC OFF" indicator light and "VSC/TRAC" warning light. It is normal if it goes out after a few seconds."

I assume this means while the vehicle is on, since repeatedly pressing the brake pedal heats up the brake actuator, but I'm not sure if this is true while the vehicle is off.

lee · 09-23-2004, 08:22 AM

well the lights wouldnt be powered necessarily if the vehicle was off.

Good Times · 09-23-2004, 09:00 AM

check to make sure the center lock diff switch if off?

broknlgs24 · 09-23-2004, 09:07 AM

i've pushed that button a few times and the warning lights remain lit.
when i did push the button, there was little to no resistance. i'm wondering if the button broke. thing is though, the 4runner is a 4wd version; therefore, i can not turn the VSC off as long as it is in 2wd, right? the only time that i can disengage the VSC is in 4wd, i thought.

Good Times · 09-23-2004, 10:01 AM

make sure that the center lock diff switch is not depressed (should look different if the button is pressed).

drive forward and then reverse 10-20 feet. this should disconnect the center diff.

once the diff is not locked, it should turn the vsc off.

broknlgs24 · 09-23-2004, 10:44 AM

ok, but if the vehicle is in 2wd, i should not be able to disengage the VSC, correct.
when in 2wd, i should be able to push that button all day long and nothing will happen, right?

hillbilly · 09-23-2004, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broknlgs24

when in 2wd, i should be able to push that button all day long and nothing will happen, right?

Right...

If the trucks ignition was off when your nephew potentially pressed the VSC button, it should have no affect on the center diff. Without the electronics being active behind the switch, its useless.

twilson · 09-23-2004, 01:09 PM

I was under the impression all 4wd 4th gens are All wheel drive until the center diff is locked, then real 4wd kicks in. And the 2wd versions are only 2wd. My buddies 2wd sport has buttons to turn off/on the VSC/traction control. Where I only have dummy buttons. And cant burn the tires like I want to.

Good Times · 09-23-2004, 02:27 PM

for the 4th gens, they are full time 4wd and not all wheel drive.

All wheel drive means powers to all wheels with no option for 4lo.
4 wheel drive means power to all wheels with option for 4lo. There are two different types of 4wd, part time and full time. part time gives 3 options (2hi, 4hi, and 4lo) while full time has 2 options (4hi and 4lo). Makes sense?

2wd is just 2wd (just like a regular car)- power to two wheels.

center locking diff just distributes power 50/50. the 4th gen's i believe is 70/30 (or some ratio but not 50/50) during normal driving for the v8 full time 4wd system. when the center is locked it transfer power to a 50/50 ratio to the front /rear.

hope this clears that up.

broknlgs24 · 09-23-2004, 03:00 PM

ok all, i just returned home from work and have been able to see for myself that, yes, the check engine light is on. i'm gonna try to explain what i've done and noticed since being home.

upon inserting the key and turning it (not comepletely on), all of the dash lights light up as they are supposed to. after a few seconds, the VSC OFF and the VSC TRAC lights go out. Once i start the Runner, the check engine, VSC OFF and VSC TRAC lights come back on (keep in mind, this is in 2WD). when i put the Runner in to 4WD (all lights are still on) and press the Center Differential lock switch, the indicator light (above the speedomoter) does light up and it sounds as if everything is working as it should, but the VSC OFF lights remain on no matter how many times i press the button.

does that make any sense?

Good Times · 09-23-2004, 04:35 PM

since your CEL is still on, you'll want to pull the codes. If you have an obdII scan tool, you can pull the codes and see what the error is. If you live outside of CA and have an Autozone, they pull codes for free (I think they still do). If not, you'll have to goto the dealer and have the dealer pull the codes.

I'm suspecting it's some EVAP code or some emissions code.

Good luck

4-RUNNIN' FREAK · 09-23-2004, 05:34 PM

I had the same problem not too long ago on my 3rd gen. I can't recall exactly what I did, but the lights have not come on again. I know I cleaned the engine then the MAF sensor and all other connections with contact cleaner.
That sure was fun with no traction control tho

I know I could have messed soemthing up, but I was so pissed at that point that it couldn't get worse. On barely wet pavement I was smokin' the tires for I'd say at least 1,200 ft. I could have done more if the corner wasn't comming up so fast and I had to slow down

SEDONAZ · 09-23-2004, 06:58 PM

I'd check the center dif lock switch real carefully. My dog routinely steps on it when I lock him in the car for hours on end in the AZ heat. Who knows, maybe that kid broke it. You can pull off the console apart pretty easy. Also, remember, I believe you have to be in neutral to engage/disengae the switch too. Just a thought

lee · 09-23-2004, 07:20 PM

what year and mileage are you at?

Citykid · 09-24-2004, 03:23 AM

I just tried to clean my MAF. Pulled the plug off but wasn't able to unscrew it to clean, the screws suck and started to strip. Anyway, I went to work and coming home this morning my two VSC lights came on and stayed on along with the check engine light. I checked my MAF conection and it is clicked in there. Can't figure out what it is though.

broknlgs24 · 09-24-2004, 05:30 AM

freak - i'm gonna check the MAF this weekend. hopefully a nice cleaning will take care of it.

lee - it's a 2001 w/ approx. 50k miles.

sedonaz - the differential switch is on the dash and is working. when i 4wd, if i press the button, the little green light (dot) lights up and if i push it again, it will go out; however, the VSC OFF and VSC TRAC lights remain on. those lights remain on while in 2wd also. from what i've read, when in 2wd, i can not activate or deactivate the center locking differential; therefore, the VSC OFF and VSC TRAC lights should never come on. i'm not sure though.

citykid - were ur VSC OFF and VSC TRAC lights on prior to attempting to clean the MAF?

broknlgs24 · 09-24-2004, 05:32 AM

i forgot to include goodtimes.

goodtimes - there is an autozone right around the corner from me. i am gonna attempt the MAF clean 1st, if taht doesn't do the trick, i will head to autozone.

Good Times · 09-24-2004, 08:31 AM

either way the code will pop back up until you clear it w/ the obdII scan tool.

thus it's easier to just find out which codes are being triggered and then clean/repair the item and then clear the codes

good luck

broknlgs24 · 09-24-2004, 09:10 AM

ah, i did not know that. i just assumed that once i cleaned the MAF, the CEL and other lights would go out. that is, of course, if that is what's causing the problem to begin w/.

thanks goodtimes!

4-RUNNIN' FREAK · 09-24-2004, 12:54 PM

I am starting to remember something else. After I cleaned the whole engine bay, I had those problems. Now when I was cleaning the contacts, I got to the MAF and cleaned it stuck it back in, no click. So I pulled it and with a closer look I noticed the gasket on the harness was warped. I trimmed some out and stuck it back in and heard the click. I cleared with my OBDII scanner, and no more problems.

Citykid · 09-24-2004, 01:20 PM

Broknlgs, no none of the lights were on. I'll drive it this weekend and on Mon take it to Autozone. still can't figure why it came on in first place though. I got the 'click' when putting it back.

09-23-2004, 07:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
hillbilly Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lat: 40° 47' 01" Long:-78° 00' 58" Posts: 756	Check out the "Active traction control system failure warning" on page 120 of your manual. The manual states that if the VSC OFF/A-Trac lights are both lit continuously, it may indicate a potential problem with the A-Trac/ABS system. That section also states: "Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the "VSC OFF" indicator light and "VSC/TRAC" warning light. It is normal if it goes out after a few seconds." I assume this means while the vehicle is on, since repeatedly pressing the brake pedal heats up the brake actuator, but I'm not sure if this is true while the vehicle is off. __________________ -Scott '01 Black SR5 4x4 w/ Black Pearl's: Detroit Truetrac \| Tundra/OME 890s w/ Tokico Trekmasters \| SS Diff Drop/Panhard \| Tundra rotors/calipers \| Rear Diff Breather Extension \| Hayden cooler \| K&N \| ISR \| Deckplate \| Jet Black PC'd LC 16x8's w/ LT265/75R16 Cooper S/T's "He who wants to protect everything, protects nothing." -Lt. Gen. Adolf Galland, Luftwaffe "There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare." -Sun Tzu, The Art of War

09-23-2004, 09:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
Good Times Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,693	check to make sure the center lock diff switch if off? __________________ 2003 4runner SR5 4x4 Chaos Edition Chaos Edition! Operation Rebuild Chaos Edition Need to reach me or ask questions? You can find me here!

09-23-2004, 10:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
Good Times Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,693	make sure that the center lock diff switch is not depressed (should look different if the button is pressed). drive forward and then reverse 10-20 feet. this should disconnect the center diff. once the diff is not locked, it should turn the vsc off. __________________ 2003 4runner SR5 4x4 Chaos Edition Chaos Edition! Operation Rebuild Chaos Edition Need to reach me or ask questions? You can find me here!

09-23-2004, 01:09 PM	#12 (permalink)
twilson Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 26	I was under the impression all 4wd 4th gens are All wheel drive until the center diff is locked, then real 4wd kicks in. And the 2wd versions are only 2wd. My buddies 2wd sport has buttons to turn off/on the VSC/traction control. Where I only have dummy buttons. And cant burn the tires like I want to. __________________ 2003 4x4 SR5 V8, TRD SuperCharger, Borla Exhaust, BFG All Terrains 265/70R17, Autometer Boost Gauge, business & leather

09-23-2004, 02:27 PM	#13 (permalink)
Good Times Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,693	for the 4th gens, they are full time 4wd and not all wheel drive. All wheel drive means powers to all wheels with no option for 4lo. 4 wheel drive means power to all wheels with option for 4lo. There are two different types of 4wd, part time and full time. part time gives 3 options (2hi, 4hi, and 4lo) while full time has 2 options (4hi and 4lo). Makes sense? 2wd is just 2wd (just like a regular car)- power to two wheels. center locking diff just distributes power 50/50. the 4th gen's i believe is 70/30 (or some ratio but not 50/50) during normal driving for the v8 full time 4wd system. when the center is locked it transfer power to a 50/50 ratio to the front /rear. hope this clears that up. __________________ 2003 4runner SR5 4x4 Chaos Edition Chaos Edition! Operation Rebuild Chaos Edition Need to reach me or ask questions? You can find me here!

09-23-2004, 06:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
lee Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: boston, ma Posts: 6,756	is your check engine light on as well?

09-23-2004, 07:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
broknlgs24 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 139	well, my GF claims that it stays on; however, i was in it last night and do not remember it staying lit. i will have to check when i get home from work. if it's on, what does that mean? if it's off, what's that mean?

09-23-2004, 07:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
lee Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: boston, ma Posts: 6,756	those lights come on with the check engine light. youll at that point have to get the code pulled (auto zone) or take it into the dealer.

09-23-2004, 08:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
lee Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: boston, ma Posts: 6,756	well the lights wouldnt be powered necessarily if the vehicle was off.

09-23-2004, 09:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
broknlgs24 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 139	i've pushed that button a few times and the warning lights remain lit. when i did push the button, there was little to no resistance. i'm wondering if the button broke. thing is though, the 4runner is a 4wd version; therefore, i can not turn the VSC off as long as it is in 2wd, right? the only time that i can disengage the VSC is in 4wd, i thought.

09-23-2004, 10:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
broknlgs24 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 139	ok, but if the vehicle is in 2wd, i should not be able to disengage the VSC, correct. when in 2wd, i should be able to push that button all day long and nothing will happen, right?

09-23-2004, 03:00 PM	#14 (permalink)
broknlgs24 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 139	ok all, i just returned home from work and have been able to see for myself that, yes, the check engine light is on. i'm gonna try to explain what i've done and noticed since being home. upon inserting the key and turning it (not comepletely on), all of the dash lights light up as they are supposed to. after a few seconds, the VSC OFF and the VSC TRAC lights go out. Once i start the Runner, the check engine, VSC OFF and VSC TRAC lights come back on (keep in mind, this is in 2WD). when i put the Runner in to 4WD (all lights are still on) and press the Center Differential lock switch, the indicator light (above the speedomoter) does light up and it sounds as if everything is working as it should, but the VSC OFF lights remain on no matter how many times i press the button. does that make any sense?

09-23-2004, 04:35 PM	#15 (permalink)
Good Times Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,693	since your CEL is still on, you'll want to pull the codes. If you have an obdII scan tool, you can pull the codes and see what the error is. If you live outside of CA and have an Autozone, they pull codes for free (I think they still do). If not, you'll have to goto the dealer and have the dealer pull the codes. I'm suspecting it's some EVAP code or some emissions code. Good luck __________________ 2003 4runner SR5 4x4 Chaos Edition Chaos Edition! Operation Rebuild Chaos Edition Need to reach me or ask questions? You can find me here!

09-23-2004, 05:34 PM	#16 (permalink)
4-RUNNIN' FREAK Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NNJ Posts: 3,951	I had the same problem not too long ago on my 3rd gen. I can't recall exactly what I did, but the lights have not come on again. I know I cleaned the engine then the MAF sensor and all other connections with contact cleaner. That sure was fun with no traction control tho I know I could have messed soemthing up, but I was so pissed at that point that it couldn't get worse. On barely wet pavement I was smokin' the tires for I'd say at least 1,200 ft. I could have done more if the corner wasn't comming up so fast and I had to slow down __________________ '02 4Runner - '06 XRunner Breakdancing www.BadgeYourRide.com Check this out Multi-Touch Interaction Research http://mrl.nyu.edu/~jhan/ftirtouch/ Highest Xmax 6.5" subwoofer made Total Posts: 32,218 (75.35 posts per day) [/center] [/color] Still A Neon

09-23-2004, 06:58 PM	#17 (permalink)
SEDONAZ Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sedona, AZ Posts: 40	I'd check the center dif lock switch real carefully. My dog routinely steps on it when I lock him in the car for hours on end in the AZ heat. Who knows, maybe that kid broke it. You can pull off the console apart pretty easy. Also, remember, I believe you have to be in neutral to engage/disengae the switch too. Just a thought __________________ O3 4Runner

09-23-2004, 07:20 PM	#18 (permalink)
lee Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: boston, ma Posts: 6,756	what year and mileage are you at?

09-24-2004, 03:23 AM	#19 (permalink)
Citykid Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Suffolk County, NY Posts: 368	I just tried to clean my MAF. Pulled the plug off but wasn't able to unscrew it to clean, the screws suck and started to strip. Anyway, I went to work and coming home this morning my two VSC lights came on and stayed on along with the check engine light. I checked my MAF conection and it is clicked in there. Can't figure out what it is though. __________________ 2001 4Runner SR5 4x4 Clear corners & bumpers Amsoil (all fluids) New Pioneer head unit Sirius Satelite Revos (265/75 16) WeatherTech visors Speedhut reverse indiglo gauges Husky floor mats Lots of junk & hidden things Build a man a fire, and he will be warm for the night. Light a man on fire and he will be warm for the rest of his life.

09-24-2004, 05:30 AM	#20 (permalink)
broknlgs24 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 139	freak - i'm gonna check the MAF this weekend. hopefully a nice cleaning will take care of it. lee - it's a 2001 w/ approx. 50k miles. sedonaz - the differential switch is on the dash and is working. when i 4wd, if i press the button, the little green light (dot) lights up and if i push it again, it will go out; however, the VSC OFF and VSC TRAC lights remain on. those lights remain on while in 2wd also. from what i've read, when in 2wd, i can not activate or deactivate the center locking differential; therefore, the VSC OFF and VSC TRAC lights should never come on. i'm not sure though. citykid - were ur VSC OFF and VSC TRAC lights on prior to attempting to clean the MAF?

09-24-2004, 05:32 AM	#21 (permalink)
broknlgs24 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 139	i forgot to include goodtimes. goodtimes - there is an autozone right around the corner from me. i am gonna attempt the MAF clean 1st, if taht doesn't do the trick, i will head to autozone.

09-24-2004, 08:31 AM	#22 (permalink)
Good Times Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,693	either way the code will pop back up until you clear it w/ the obdII scan tool. thus it's easier to just find out which codes are being triggered and then clean/repair the item and then clear the codes good luck __________________ 2003 4runner SR5 4x4 Chaos Edition Chaos Edition! Operation Rebuild Chaos Edition Need to reach me or ask questions? You can find me here!

09-24-2004, 09:10 AM	#23 (permalink)
broknlgs24 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 139	ah, i did not know that. i just assumed that once i cleaned the MAF, the CEL and other lights would go out. that is, of course, if that is what's causing the problem to begin w/. thanks goodtimes!

09-24-2004, 12:54 PM	#24 (permalink)
4-RUNNIN' FREAK Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NNJ Posts: 3,951	I am starting to remember something else. After I cleaned the whole engine bay, I had those problems. Now when I was cleaning the contacts, I got to the MAF and cleaned it stuck it back in, no click. So I pulled it and with a closer look I noticed the gasket on the harness was warped. I trimmed some out and stuck it back in and heard the click. I cleared with my OBDII scanner, and no more problems. __________________ '02 4Runner - '06 XRunner Breakdancing www.BadgeYourRide.com Check this out Multi-Touch Interaction Research http://mrl.nyu.edu/~jhan/ftirtouch/ Highest Xmax 6.5" subwoofer made Total Posts: 32,218 (75.35 posts per day) [/center] [/color] Still A Neon Last edited by 4-RUNNIN' FREAK; 10-27-2004 at 04:06 AM.

09-24-2004, 01:20 PM	#25 (permalink)
Citykid Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Suffolk County, NY Posts: 368	Broknlgs, no none of the lights were on. I'll drive it this weekend and on Mon take it to Autozone. still can't figure why it came on in first place though. I got the 'click' when putting it back. __________________ 2001 4Runner SR5 4x4 Clear corners & bumpers Amsoil (all fluids) New Pioneer head unit Sirius Satelite Revos (265/75 16) WeatherTech visors Speedhut reverse indiglo gauges Husky floor mats Lots of junk & hidden things Build a man a fire, and he will be warm for the night. Light a man on fire and he will be warm for the rest of his life.

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