'08 Lexus GX470 Traction control lights on

So this is my wifes rig and has been Toyota rock solid as far as reliability. However, awhile ago the dash lit up with VSC OFF, TRAC OFF and the car swerving icon, plus the check engine light.

Still drives normally. She was about due for an oil change (Local Indy Toyota place does them so cheap its not worth my time to do it myself) so I said wait till you take it in, then tell them about it and have them fix it.

They replace the gas cap and say its from that. Say it'll take a few days for the lights to go away. Well, 300 miles of driving and they're still on.

I fail to see how a bad gas cap, which would throw an evap code would cause all the traction control lights to illuminate. Google search shows this is a fairly common thing to happen to Toyotas but how do I fix it?

Did you try resetting the computer?

May also try a zero point calibration, I forget exactly what lights it trips, but those sound right (other than the CEL)

http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17490

I'd say you need to have a scanner that looks at the abs module. I am just guessing but I would think you have a bad or flaky wheel speed sensor.

Disconnect the battery and see if that clears it for good? Quick google search showed a few people mentioning the gas cap, so the local shop might not have been too far off base.

I plan on trying the battery disconnect when I get home today...

I'll cross my fingers for you

Side note - my 98 Lexus GS400 is the first vehicle I've owned that is fancy enough to have an alarm system. I learned that if the battery dies and you reconnect after charging, the alarm goes off until you put the key in the ignition and turn it to on.

Weak alternator, weak battery, stop and go driving with the AC on high, all these things can cause that, at least on my 98 and 99 LS400's. There is a way to reset the computer. You open the door and dance around the vehicle in an anti-clockwise direction while chanting and tapping the roof with your right hand. Or something like that. I bet there is a way to do it on your vehicle also. This may help: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-2nd-gen-2004-2009/611147-how-to-reset-vsc-off-warning-light-and-traction-control-light.html

Anyway, on mine, if the system voltage goes low momentarily, the traction computer thinks that one of the sensors went out and throws the code. I've had it happen a few times, usually in heavy traffic on a hot day.

Not sure if yours is the same, but my toyota lights the CEL, Traction control, and VSC lights whenever its emissions, or evap. Its always emissions or evap for me.

The cats went out 20k mile ago. the O2 sensors went out shortly after. The evap emissions codes came up 2 weeks before I needed emissions. I smoke test said it was the charcoal canister, which I don't believe at all. I replaced a sensor, and the 400.00 piece of charcoal. I got it to pass emissions after that. 2 months later, my dash looks like a christmas tree again.

I digress. TLDR - I hate those lights.

side note: Looking to add the GX470. My wife hates her honda odyssey. I love my 4runner, but its 2wd. 4wd makes me nervous. Are you happy with it so far?

I've received similar warning lights from a bad coil on our '06 RAV4. I'd try scanning with an OBD-II scanner and see what code is that illuminated the CEL.

I like it but there are a few things I hate about it. I hate the rear "barn door" that it has. Why they didn't either do a vertical hatch with opening window like the 4Runner or the tail gate I have no idea. Both are much better designs. You need to have the room to open the door plus it likes to slam closed on you.

The brake pedal is really close to the gas, at least for me and my size 12's. The steering wheel rim is really small but again, I have large hands.

Other than that, its been a solid performer for us. Gets reasonable mpg, holds lots of people and gear and all I've done is basic maintenance. Well, until whatever is causing all these lights.

It drives like a truck, which it is, particularly in comparison to my Porsche Cayenne Turbo...

In reply to docwyte:

My mom has an '05 going on 150k miles, Toyota reliable with nothing but regular scheduled maintenance. It's incredibly comfy for long road trips. I agree with the pedals, but easy to get used to. Her mileage is 17-18 mpg. I don't think she's ever hit 20 even on a road trip.

I think the barn door is cool, but I would always prefer a tail gate. There's a lever built into the bottom of the hinge that can lock it open.

I can ask tomorrow if you don't get an answer. I see around 2 a day, but no idea what the cause or fix is.

Ok, got the codes read. Annoyingly the parts shop isn't allowed to clear codes, apparently it's "illegal".

So it had multiple Evap codes, large leaks, small leaks. Probably all from the bad gas cap and/or my wife not putting the gas cap on tightly enough.

I've replaced the gas cap and want to clear all the codes and see if that's all I need to do to fix it. Unfortunately all my code readers are German car specific. What's a decent/cheap generic OBD2 code reader I can get that'll work on a Lexus?

Depends on the chain, around here oreillys will loan you a code reader with just your license, auto zone however, will have an employee read the codes for you.

I have a $20 bluetooth one from eBay that works with the 'scan master' app, don't remember the brand offhand.

If you have an Android smart phone you can use a cheap generic Bluetooth to OBD2 adapter and the free version of the app Torque.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00PJPHEBO/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1470095224&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=bluetooth+obd2&dpPl=1&dpID=51JD-Wca3vL&ref=plSrch

Here's a cheap one. I don't have this one but it should work and it has decent reviews.

I should say, I use mine on my GS430 with no problems. I run torque on an asus tablet.

Check engine light (stored trouble code) normally disables the Trac/vsc function. Lexus vehicles have done that for a long time. Fix evap code and clear. Should be good to go.

Just a fyi,maybe you ready know...the rear hatch has a lock on the bottom support arm that keeps the door from swinging closed on you unexpectedly. It's red plastic on a roundish black clyinder. There's even directions for use on it if you get down and look.

Went to Advanced, they lent me the tool, cleared the codes, dash isn't lit up anymore.

Pretty stupid that Toyota will disable the traction control, a safety system for an Evap code.

Also irked at the Indy Toyota place, they replaced the gas cap but didn't bother to hook the truck up to their scan tool to read and clear the codes. When I called them yesterday they wanted me to bring the truck by and leave it with them an entire day so they can do "diagnostics".

If this light comes back on, its going to the dealer. Similar pricing for larger services and my wife gets a free loaner.