Throttle Problems in Sequioa - VSC dash light on

[jkinloch]

I am trying to diagnose a throttle problem I am having with my 2001 Sequioa.

Here are the symptoms.

1) VSC light on/TRAC light now on (however it was off previously when I was having throttle problems
2) Check Engine light on. (however this comes on quite frequently, dealers say it is usually due to not having your gas cap on tightly)
3) Start the car and shift into Drive and press the accelerator and get no response. Temporary solution: Turn off car and restart the ignition and the accelerator kicks in and the car moves forward and drives pretty much normally but the VSC light and Check Engine light are still on.
4) The car has not been running well for about a month since I had the " Dealer Performed" 60k maintenance appointment which included new timing belt, fluid drains, spark plugs, etc..


Other facts: The first time I took it to the dealer to ask them what was wrong they said the they noticed brake fluid was low and they said the cleaned the throttle. It wasn't a day later and the problem was still there. We took it back to the dealer again and they said the entire Throttle body needed to be replaced. I don't buy that explanation yet especially because they quoted $1000 for the throttle body parts and $200 for the labor.

Upon doing some research this evening I ran across an interesting post regarding the throttle on Sequioas

"Skid Control warning light 01-2 Sequioa (MIL 1363). We are seeing this with more frequency lately. It carries a MIL of 1363 and is affecting the 01-02 Sequioa. We are finding that the brake light switch is out of adjustment. Since the system needs to see the brake light circuit activated then hydraulic brake pressure, shortly after, the misadjustment is the only problem. Once you make that quick fix the only other problem is convincing the onwer of the Sequoia that there is no problem."

I am not sure if the above applies, but I am looking for any advice to assist me in diagnosing this problem properly and the most cost effective manner.

[Jettix2]

I just bought my 01 last week, but have some thoughts, although I am far from an expert on the issue.

From my understanding, if the engine "throws a code" from everything and anything from a bad o2 sensor to a clogged injector, bad catalytic convertor, whatever........it will disable the DSC/TRAC system, causing all THREE lights to go on (CEL being the other one, as you describe). Not sure why, upon restart, your CEL goes off but the others stay lit.

On my car, the VSC/TRAC lights were on (no CEL) but the car operated fine. My brake fluid was low, and upon topping it off (past the FULL line), it is fine (knock on wood).

There are TONS of things that can make the VSC/TRAC lights go on, from something as simple as the fluid level (you mentioned they filled it, I was told to put it 1/2way between FULL and the top of the reservoir) to one of about a dozen sensors in the TRAC system, the most expensive (and most common?) being the one inside the Brake Booster Assy, at $1000+ cost to repair.

With all the symptoms you describe, I'd take it to the dealer, pay the $95 or whatever they charge to read the codes, and find out what hidden codes are in the TRAC ECU that is causing the fault.....

Ben

[Stargazer]

There was a Technical Service Bulletin on the VSC light coming on in earlier model years. The module was replaced to stop it from happening. I don't know if it's related to your problems, but you may want to check your VIN number to see if it's part of the TSB.