VSC Trac/SVC Off lights

[atropine]

I just bought a used 2002 Sequoia Limited 4wd. 2 days later, the VSC Trac and the VSC Off light came on while driving. They went away shortly thereafter, and have since come back on intermittently several times. I have played with the VSC Off button, shifted in and out of 4wd several times, but it seems that the VSC system is intermittently nonfunctional. When the lights are off, the VSC system seems to be working as expected. But when the lights are on, I do not believe the VSC system if functioning. The owners manual seems to indicate that if the lights are on like this, that the system is malfunctioning and "should be taken to the dealer for evaluation." I am not excited about spending a bunch of money on this sytem, since I don't really care for it anyway. I would just be happy if the lights went away and the system never came on. Anyone had this occur before, and what was the outcome?

[blaketag]

I've had the same thing happen several times on my '01 SR5 4WD I recently purchased used. I found several older threads that indicated topping off the brake fluid can help. Since I've done that the VSC TRAC/VSC OFF lights have not come on. My brake fluid was just below the MAX line when I topped it off. Give that a try and see if it helps. If not, it could be a bad sensor or VSC computer.

Tom

Originally Posted by atropine

I just bought a used 2002 Sequoia Limited 4wd. 2 days later, the VSC Trac and the VSC Off light came on while driving. They went away shortly thereafter, and have since come back on intermittently several times. I have played with the VSC Off button, shifted in and out of 4wd several times, but it seems that the VSC system is intermittently nonfunctional. When the lights are off, the VSC system seems to be working as expected. But when the lights are on, I do not believe the VSC system if functioning. The owners manual seems to indicate that if the lights are on like this, that the system is malfunctioning and "should be taken to the dealer for evaluation." I am not excited about spending a bunch of money on this sytem, since I don't really care for it anyway. I would just be happy if the lights went away and the system never came on. Anyone had this occur before, and what was the outcome?

[Jettix2]

If you just bought the truck, and if it's got any sort of warranty on it (factory 3/36 or dealership warranty, powertrain only will not cut it) I would get the truck in ASAP to try to get them to cover this repair.

Do a search on the board here, I am one of the affected people WITHOUT warranty coverage on it..........

I topped off the brake fluid on my truck, and all seemed great until 2 weeks later the lights came back on. Mustang on the board here helped me pull the codes from the ECU, and the problem is a faulty Brake Booster Sensor (which is the problem 99% of the time when adding brake fluid doesn't fix it). The booster is about $1,000 from the dealer plus installation, and the DSC/TRAC system needs to have Zero Point Calibration performed on it after the install.

This is easily a $1500.00 repair........

Personally, I dont care for the system either, and I'll be darned if I'm going to pay that kind of $$ to fix it.

Ben

[mustang67408]

Originally Posted by blaketag

I've had the same thing happen several times on my '01 SR5 4WD I recently purchased used. I found several older threads that indicated topping off the brake fluid can help. Since I've done that the VSC TRAC/VSC OFF lights have not come on. My brake fluid was just below the MAX line when I topped it off. Give that a try and see if it helps. If not, it could be a bad sensor or VSC computer.

Tom

BLAKETAG: Your problem is (01 seq only) going to be the brake booster (99%) also, IF the top off didnt work. The only way to tell is to pull codes.

ATROPINE, you need to get the codes read first before we can diag more, if the topping off doesnt work. there is no way to disable it either. I dont think your is a booster problem, but rather the skid control ecu.
but without codes its only a guess.

[blaketag]

Thanks - I'll get it checked out at the dealer I bought the vehicle from. Hopefully, it would be covered under under their 3 mo./3k mile warranty on used cars. If not, I bought an extended warranty also. I'll keep my fingers crossed it was just a low brake fluid issue. However, when I topped off the fluid it was just barely below the MAX line. I've only had the "VSC Trac/VSC Off" lights come on 2-3 times in the 2 months, or so, we've owned it. When they did come on they didn't stay illuminated long. I take it the faulty brake booster sensor is a common problem with '01's? Is there a TSB on this issue?Thanks!

Tom

[mustang67408]

Its not limited to 01's but i have only seen it on a few 02's. they changed the booster design in 03.
Nope no TSB, just some down home diag.
IF THEY TELL YOU THERE IS NO CODE, then they have to manually jump the DLC3 Connector under the dash. If they dont know this procedure, find another dealership, or we can try to help you access it here.
There is a TSB for 03's and depending on the code, to which TSB applies.
Get the code from the dealeror if you want to try to access it yourself,let me know. Maybe i can guide you thru it.
victor

[mustang67408]

Good Luck and let me know.
-V-

[atropine]

Can I check the codes myself, or does it require special equipment? I used to be able to check the codes in my old Chevy blazer by jumping two of the terminals together in the code scanner harness, but with the newer vehicles I am not sure if this requires special equipment...

[nhparrot]

Originally Posted by atropine

Can I check the codes myself, or does it require special equipment? I used to be able to check the codes in my old Chevy blazer by jumping two of the terminals together in the code scanner harness, but with the newer vehicles I am not sure if this requires special equipment...

you need an OBDII reader tool

[blaketag]

Well, my wife just informed me that the VSC TRAC and VSC OFF lights both came on again today Guess it wasn't low brake fluid after all. She's going to run it by our Toyota dealer today to see if they can pull a code. Guess it's a good thing we bought an extended warranty!

nhparrot - how much does a Toyota OBDII reader tool run?

Tom

[mustang67408]

Originally Posted by blaketag

Well, my wife just informed me that the VSC TRAC and VSC OFF lights both came on again today Guess it wasn't low brake fluid after all. She's going to run it by our Toyota dealer today to see if they can pull a code. Guess it's a good thing we bought an extended warranty!

nhparrot - how much does a Toyota OBDII reader tool run?

Tom

TOYOTA SCAN TOOL is $5000.00 (+ or -) a few hundred for assorted attachments.

Let me know the code they tell you and what they want to do to repair it.
I am curious.
Unless you have the TOYOTA PLATINUM EXTENDED WARRANTY, most others wont cover the booster if thats whats wrong.
Let us know what they find
-V-

[blaketag]

Victor - I REALLY appreciate your help here! They found code C1363 (Malfunction in Booster Pedal Force Switch). They reset the code and the lights have stayed off for now. They recommend replacing the switch if the lights come back on. Is this the code that indicates the whole booster assembly is bad? Replacing a switch doesn't sound like a $1K+ repair (hopefully). Are the only ramifications of the VSC TRAC/VSC OFF lights being on at the same time that the VSC system is nonfunctional? Any recommendations you might have on what I should do to resolve this would be most appreciated! As I said before, I'd prefer the VSC system work properly but not sure I'd be willing to spend $1K+ if my warranty won't cover it.

Thanks,

Tom

[mustang67408]

Originally Posted by blaketag

Victor - I REALLY appreciate your help here! They found code C1363 (Malfunction in Booster Pedal Force Switch). They reset the code and the lights have stayed off for now. They recommend replacing the switch if the lights come back on. Is this the code that indicates the whole booster assembly is bad? Replacing a switch doesn't sound like a $1K+ repair (hopefully). Are the only ramifications of the VSC TRAC/VSC OFF lights being on at the same time that the VSC system is nonfunctional? YESAny recommendations you might have on what I should do to resolve this would be most appreciated! As I said before, I'd prefer the VSC system work properly but not sure I'd be willing to spend $1K+ if my warranty won't cover it.

Thanks,

Tomn

The booster pedal force switch is on the booster and you cant buy it seperatly. AS FAR AS I AM AWARE. if they have a part # for it , I would love to have it. But we have called toyota parts (the big warehouse) and they dont show it as a seperate unit. you have to buy the booster assy.
I will double check my notes tomorrow and get back to you, but i am 99% sure you have to buy the booster.
-V-

[blaketag]

Victor - I'll see if they have a part number for the switch alone, but it sounds like that's unlikely. Is the VSC system only non-functional when the warning lights are on? If this remains an intermittent problem, I'm not sure it's worth the large expense of replacing the whole booster assembly. I did check my warranty paperwork and it says they cover Brakes including "power booster". Maybe I'll luck out and it will be covered, albeit with $150 deductible.

Thanks,

Tom

[mustang67408]

Is the VSC system only non-functional when the warning lights are on?

Yes it is non functional when the lights are on as well as the ABS,
I am glad it should be covered .