Galen

Hi,

I have a 2002 4Runner. My wife was driving it a few minutes ago when it would not let her push down the gas pedal & the VSC / VSC TRAC lights / CHECK ENGINE lights all popped on. She pulled over, started it & it ran until it got home where it sits. This is the first time it's happened. I changed the battery 3 weeks ago & it only has 72K on it.

This is not good. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

JC_ez

Was the pedal resisting her pressing? Or did pressing the pedal down have no effect on throttle? The only time something similar happened to me was when I ran out of gas. The engine sputtered and died and the CEL and other lights came on.

Another time when my engine sputtered but didn't stall, was because I forgot to put the battery bracket holder back on after some maintenance and the battery moved during driving making the negative terminal loose.

Galen

It was slowing down & would not let her accellerate the - lights came on at the same time. Gas is not empty. The battery terminals are on tight.

CJM

Here is what you should do:

Check your battery and make sure its connected and on right, then make sure it starts.

If it doesnt crank or turn over, check the alternator with a voltmeter. It should be around 14V or better..if not then you got a bad alt.

I honestly think its your alternator, lights flashing on the dash are a telltale sigh along with dying.

fireteacher

GAS! how many miles on the tank? guage could be faulty. shouldnt be the battery as it was running on the alternator. was your battery light on prior to it dying?

Galen

There is 1/2 tank of gas in it. Not faulty, filled it up the other day. The lights:

VAC TRAC
VAC OFF
(check engine light)

Those are the lights that were on. Now, I took it out for a spin & they were on when the 4R started. But then, I turned it off, started it again & the lights were *not* on.

???

CJM

Were the lights flickering as you accelerated/let off the gas? I still say check your alternator.

Your not getting any check engines lights or anything right?

Could be related the the traction system as well..

Galen

3 lights on:

VAC TRAC
VAC OFF
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT

There were no lights flashing, not like an alternator or battery dying.

I'm taking it to the dealership tomorrow morning.

Godzilla

Do some searching.. i did a quick search for trac cel, and got a few threads..looks like common occurences are a charcoal canister, then to the a/f(o2) sensor, then the maf sensor.
Heres one example from a thread


P0446

"The PCM has determined that a malfunction exists in the electrical circut for the vent control in the evaporative emmision control system"
1-Purge or vent solenoid defective
2-Possible blockage in vapor canister or ECAP line
3-Check connector and wiring.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/vsc-trac-warning-lights-41505/

Galen

Went to a Toyota dealership first thing this morning. They said that an inner component of my head gasket (where the sensor is) was really dirty. So, they cleaned it & hope that is it. However, if it happens again then it w/be a $1,200 replacement.

MTL_4runner

WTF? They cleaned your head gasket?!
What sensor were they messing around with?
What was the OBD code that they pulled when the CEL went off?

Galen

Yeah I realize this now that I should've asked for the code but I did not. Doesn't help that I'm on vicodin due to a broken leg so I've kind of been trying to make it day by day in a zombified state. Anyway.

Very helpful info, thanks.