Then frankly I'm stumped.

 

I've never experienced this problem either since I've done the mod. That's odd it's limiting you the way it is??

Not to , but with the help of Andreas, I've compiled a tech article on how to complete this mod in the tech section: Disable Trac & VSC.

If you have not already read this, I thought it might help find an error in the way you did the mod. I know you said it worked after you did it, b/c your dash lights came on and the 2 systems were defeated, but you shouldn't have a throttle limiting problem. I've never had this problem, nor heard of any one else having this problem. Just seems to me, it's the way the mod was performed is what's causing the problem.

If it's not, and you completed the mod just as the rest of us did, then sorry, I'm clueless!

Just my .02

 

Does anyone have an addendum to that brief 2001-2002 model writeup that would deal with the 4th gen models (2003+)? After all this time, I've still not tackled this mod mostly due to the different results that others post.

 

i have the switch now, and its awesome

 

Oh and for what it's worth I've now found toggle switches at Lowe's for $4 that are EXACTLY the same as the Toyota switches that cost 3x as much. They're made by GB Electric as an HD toggle switch.

 

hmm i dont know what the problem was but i tried it again to day and it worked flawlessly.. i think the problem was that i taped the white wire as well to kill the hot and the ground as well.. anyhow the ground works fine now..
THNKS ETRNL

 

I'd say you found the problem.

Andreas

 

now the only problem is what to do with the other toggle switch that i had running to the white wire??

 

How about repurposing it to be an ECU reset switch? (so, let it toggle the power to the ECU) If you swap the switch out for a momentary, then it's useful for when you make changes to things under the hood and want to reset the ECU so that it learns faster. Or, leave it a two-state ON/OFF and it becomes a kill switch/anti-theft device

 

Remove it. Look on Ebay for a dashboard blank to pop back into place. Done.

Andreas

 

i kinda like the ecu idea but dont you have leave power off to the ecu for like 10 mins??

 

Mine clears in less than 10 seconds, Jamie's at the other end of the scale saying that he's seen the need for 1 minute or more.

It may differ from model to model.... You can test what it takes for yours.

Do something to throw a code (pulling the MAF electrical connector is a favorite of mine, I don't know how accessible it is on your rig), then pull the EFI fuse (in the fuse box under the hood) for a varying number of seconds until you note that the MIL is cleared.

So, start the engine, pull the MAF connector, note the MIL is on (the engine will probably die), turn off the ignition, put the MAF plug back in, pull the EFI fuse, count to 5, put the fuse back in, turn the ignition to ON (no need to start it) and see if the MIL is still lit. If it is, then ignition OFF, pull the EFI fuse, count to 10, etc..

 

hmm.. i might have to do that as soon as i get it back from the shop..

 

From what I read in this thread, the Andymod is a simple on/off switch that interrupts the grounding wire for the VSC/TRAC. However, to get the system turned back on, the engine must be turned off and then back on.

I would do this mod, except that for my purposes, turning the engine off and on would be sub-optimal. I tend to need VSC/TRAC off in extreme snowy conditions, but need to keep moving, as there is often traffic involved.

Has anyone researched the issue of why the engine must be cycled in order to reset the VSC/TRAC? I have to think that there is some wire somewhere that would solve this problem, by doing the same thing as turning the vehicle off and on.

I'm thinking about investing in a set of factory service manuals to start chasing the wiring down. But before I do that, I thought I'd check in and see if anyone has ideas of how to avoid having to cycle the engine to get VSC/TRAC to reinitiate.

Thanks,
MadCityRich
2002 4Runner Ltd

 

I asked this same question and no one responded.

Unless I misread your post, you say you need to DISABLE VSC/TRAC in deep snow, but shutting the engine off isn't optimal due to traffic? Why not just drive the vehicle with VSC/TRAC off until you reach your destination? Just be aware it's off and drive accordingly. That's what I've done since completing this mod and have had no issues.

I'd love for there to be a way to turn it off and on at will, like the 2WD models have, but no one has been able to figure that one out. If you do let me know, but having to restart the vehicle to turn the system back on shouldn't be a show stopper.

 

Probably 'cause the ECU (or one of the computers) only checks it's status in a power cycle.

 

The issue isn't deep snow but very slick surfaces. Up in the northern tier, it's not unusual to encounter road conditions that change pretty quickly from mile to mile, or even less. A nicely plowed road will still have bad patches. This is an issue when stopping, making a turn, or pulling away. In many cases, I would be better off making my turn or pulling out with the VSC/TRAC disabled. But I want to reengage VSC/TRAC for regular driving. For 99% of the driving in winter, VSC/TRAC is very useful. It's the combination of very low traction with high torque situations that cause problems.

The issue is one more of convenience than anything.

I think I'll be digging into some factory wiring diagrams.

MadCityRich
'02 4Runner Ltd
Stock mod

 

That makes sense. Let me know if you make any progress.

 

The only encouraging bit I have to add to this is, my VSC ABS ATRAC lights have come on and turned off by themselves with the switch remaining in the off position. Meaning, the switch was set to allow all safty features to work, so no lights, then lights for about 1 minute, then no lights all with out touching the switch. Its happened a couple times now. Not too helpfull, but that might mean its possible to toggle between the 2 modes without shutting the truck off.

-Simon

 

Hello everyone, I just registered here today. Found the site while looking for this very mod. Figured I would search for it rather than re-inventing the wheel First, let me say thanks to those that figured it out. I will be doing this shortly to my 01 SR5.

I did notice someone was trying a momentary setup that would automatically reset when you turned the truck off. I tried reading all the pages (a lot of them!) and didnt see if they found exactly what they were looking for, so, as a car junkie and electronics guy, thought I could shed some light. I applogize if this is already posted and I missed it.

You can create a latching relay for this fairly easilly. It will work just like a motor starter in a sense.

First you need a relay with one set of NO contacts and one set of NC contacts. One set will be for the VSC disable and one for the latching portion.

Wire the NC contacts in the same way you would your switch to disable the system.

Now, for the relay control. Wire 12V ign power to one side of the normally open momentary pushbutton. Wire the other side of the pushbutton to the coil power on the relay. And of course, the other side of the relay coil to ground. So, when you press the button and release, it will momentarilly trigger the relay.

Next, to latch, wire the same IGN power to one side of the NO contacts. Wire the other side of that contact to the relay coil power. You are basically placing the NO contact in parallel with the pushbutton.

Now, when you bump the momentary switch, it opens the NC contact (disabling the VSC) and also closes the NO contact, creating a constant circuit to the coil, so when the pushbutton is released, the relay remains energized (this is sometimes called a memory latch as well). Since the NO contact is powered by IGN (switched) power, when you turn off the ignition, the relay will be de-energized, so the VSC system will be on again when you start the vehicle. That is, until you push the momentary button again to latch the relay.

Now, if I am misreading what someone is doing, please correct me. But from all I have read, the truck must be turned off and back on once the TRAC switch is closed in order to turn VSC back on. So someone wanted a way to have this happen automatically so they dont forget, then having to turn the truck off, close the switch, then back on.

If this is what they were needing, I would be happy to draw the schematic and look up the relay needed to do this. It is a pretty simple to build setup.

You can use this setup any time you need a latching relay and dont have one available.