Took a weekend trip up to Sequoia National Forests (yes a Sequoia in Sequoia!) for camping and hiking since most of it is open. On the way up the dashboard lit up like a christmas tree with the lights mentioned in the title. It didn't affect the driving habbits of the car at all and if I parked it and turned it off and back on the lights would clear.
Got home yesterday and checked the brake fluid, ABS fuse, wheel speed sensors, and so on. I disconnected the battery to reset things, took some brake fluid out (recently flushed it) as it seemed a bit overfull, and everything checked out fine.
Fired it up, took it to O'Reilly to get a new ABS fuse (plastic cover for the 60AMP was missing and looking corroded) and now it kicks on traction control whenever I'm leaving a stop sign or red light and the ABS system starts kicking in on very low speeds. But now none of the lights are on....
I did some research on some of the Tundra/Sequoia forums and its mostly people talking about how they went to a shop or dealer and spend $600+ on getting the issue fixed. There does appear to be a VSC recall as well; however, I'm not sure that's the issue. The bottom line was there wasn't really a clear cut answer to resolving similar issues. The only sure fire thing I read up on was replacing the wheel speed sensors which sounds like the most plausible solution thus far.
Any recommendations or insight would be greatly appreciated.
Pics for referrence.
does the VSC or TRAC light flash when the system activates while driving away from a stop?
if i had to spitball at it, i'd guess steering angle sensor.
AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:
does the VSC or TRAC light flash when the system activates while driving away from a stop?
if i had to spitball at it, i'd guess steering angle sensor.
Close the "burnout" squiggly line indicator flashes (if you reference the gauge cluster pic above its the one below the "VSC TRAC") when leaving from a stop and it acts like I'm flooring it in the rain and trying to gain traction.
OK so the activation you're experiencing is traction control, not VSC.
is this vehicle full-time 4WD/AWD? if not, ie if selectable transfer case, what mode is it in when this happens? can you check it in a different mode to see if it changes behavior?
One of your wheel speed sensors thinks its going slower than the rest of the wheels. Bad wire where it flexes, bad sensor or bad magnetic strip on one of the wheel bearings if it has that type.
Scan tool will tell you which wheel.
AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:
OK so the activation you're experiencing is traction control, not VSC.
is this vehicle full-time 4WD/AWD? if not, ie if selectable transfer case, what mode is it in when this happens? can you check it in a different mode to see if it changes behavior?
It's a Limited 2WD model. The only way to alter the driving mode is to turn traction control off while at a stop. It automatically turns itself back on around 15-20mph.
Streetwiseguy
One of your wheel speed sensors thinks its going slower than the rest of the wheels. Bad wire where it flexes, bad sensor or bad magnetic strip on one of the wheel bearings if it has that type.
Scan tool will tell you which wheel.
It has magnetic strip wheel speed sensors (at least that's what it felt like when I stuck my finger down in there to clean out the sensor hole). There are no lights on it at the moment; however, I might just swing it by an auto parts store to see if they can scan it for me.
Dived down some more rabbit holes while at work. Seems like these issues can arise from things such as a bad gas cap, to a bad O2 sensor, to a bad yaw rate sensor, bad wheel speed sensors, or low brake fluid. Every single forum or facebook page gives me something different hahaha.
Plug in a scan tool and check for a wheel speed sensor fault code.
If you Google "symptoms of bad wheel speed sensor" you'll find tons of webpages describing just what you're seeing.
old_
HalfDork
5/26/20 4:19 p.m.
I had very similar issues with my sienna. Christmas tree dash, abs engaging over small bumps/low speed, etc. One of the rear wheel speed sensors actually fell out. On the sienna they are glued to the back of the wheel bearing, the glue failed and it fell out.
You should be able to hook up a scan tool and log the speed sensors to see if one of the sensors is causing the problem.
Toyota's will light up all the traction and stability lights if there is a check engine light. Won't cause weird driving, though.
Streetwiseguy said:
Toyota's will light up all the traction and stability lights if there is a check engine light. Won't cause weird driving, though.
I've had this experience on our Rav4 when a coil pack failed. It did come with a CEL, as well as the other lights for VSC, traction control, and I believe ABS, as well. The systems are integrated tightly, so a simple failure can wreak havoc in the system. Sounds like the wheel speed sensors are the right place to start.
I had a similar issue with my '03 4runner. I did a Zero point calibration that involved parking on a level surface and shorting pins in the diagnostic port in proper sequence. No more lights and the sorely needed traction control works.
Streetwiseguy said:
Toyota's will light up all the traction and stability lights if there is a check engine light. Won't cause weird driving, though.
That's the wild thing. There were zero driving issues when all the lights were on. Disconnect the battery to run through everything, lights go away and this weird behavior starts to happen. I would DD it but no way am I going to get on the madhouse 405 in LA with those driving characteristics
Stopping by HF to buy a cheap scan tool this evening so I can start from there. I thought my RaceCapture Track had a scan tool function; however, it needs a new script uploaded to it and even then it doesn't seem to be that great of a solution.
MrJoshua said:
I had a similar issue with my '03 4runner. I did a Zero point calibration that involved parking on a level surface and shorting pins in the diagnostic port in proper sequence. No more lights and the sorely needed traction control works.
How much of a pain was the Zero point calibration? The link appears to be dead in that post you linked me too. I found a Toyota TSB on how to do it but you need a proprietary Toyota device to perform it.
Also check the battery voltage when off, when running. I've seen a weak alternator cause VSC lights.
My land cruiser does it. Turns out the abs pump motor is on the way out.
A good code scanner can pull the codes.
DirtyBird222 said:
Streetwiseguy said:
Toyota's will light up all the traction and stability lights if there is a check engine light. Won't cause weird driving, though.
That's the wild thing. There were zero driving issues when all the lights were on. Disconnect the battery to run through everything, lights go away and this weird behavior starts to happen. I would DD it but no way am I going to get on the madhouse 405 in LA with those driving characteristics
Stopping by HF to buy a cheap scan tool this evening so I can start from there. I thought my RaceCapture Track had a scan tool function; however, it needs a new script uploaded to it and even then it doesn't seem to be that great of a solution.
MrJoshua said:
I had a similar issue with my '03 4runner. I did a Zero point calibration that involved parking on a level surface and shorting pins in the diagnostic port in proper sequence. No more lights and the sorely needed traction control works.
How much of a pain was the Zero point calibration? The link appears to be dead in that post you linked me too. I found a Toyota TSB on how to do it but you need a proprietary Toyota device to perform it.
It was simple. I did it using directions from a video related to 4th gen 4runners. I used a section of garage door sensor wire-stiff thin single strand two wire stuff. Two wires in the factory diagnostic plug at certain pins, touch the other ends in a specific sequence. Done.
Maybe this one?
Snap-on diagnostic tool can do the Toyota zero point calibration if you know a mechanic with one. And it'll also likely identify your busted sensor or wire.
Long shot : Are your brake lights all working?
My 05 Sequoia had that happen - I think that's the standard thing when basically anything is bad.
In my case, it was the air pump going bad (which they do on all Sequoias eventually). I did the bypass, lights gone. But a code-reader would tell you that.
My ABS was kicking on as well and it was a bad wheel speed sensor. I pulled the fuse until I could fix it and at least it didn't try to kill me while slowing down to a stop sign. It happened after replacing my rotors. 2001 Sequoia Limited 4WD
I could never get the ZPC to work on mine though. You can follow the steps here and find out how to read the codes : Sequoia ZPC
Kingkong said:
My ABS was kicking on as well and it was a bad wheel speed sensor. I pulled the fuse until I could fix it and at least it didn't try to kill me while slowing down to a stop sign. It happened after replacing my rotors. 2001 Sequoia Limited 4WD
I could never get the ZPC to work on mine though. You can follow the steps here and find out how to read the codes : Sequoia ZPC
Replacing the WSS is easier than taking the ABS fuse out LOL. The way they sandwiched those brick fuses in there is interesting. Took old girl to autozone and oreilly yesterday and neither will do code checks at the moment due to the pandemic. Missed a phone call with Scott_H whom I need to call back.
My '04 Limited had the same condition. It may have also had the Check Engine light too, but I can't remember for sure. When I checked OBDii codes, I had P0031 and C1203 - "Bank 1 Sensor 1 O2 Sensor" and "Engine Control System Communication Circuit Malfunction". The Toyota forums pointed to the O2 sensor causing all of it. Replaced it for about $100, reset the codes and it has been good for 1,000 miles since.
DirtyBird222 said:
Kingkong said:
My ABS was kicking on as well and it was a bad wheel speed sensor. I pulled the fuse until I could fix it and at least it didn't try to kill me while slowing down to a stop sign. It happened after replacing my rotors. 2001 Sequoia Limited 4WD
I could never get the ZPC to work on mine though. You can follow the steps here and find out how to read the codes : Sequoia ZPC
Replacing the WSS is easier than taking the ABS fuse out LOL. The way they sandwiched those brick fuses in there is interesting. Took old girl to autozone and oreilly yesterday and neither will do code checks at the moment due to the pandemic. Missed a phone call with Scott_H whom I need to call back.
I actually didn't remove the fuse but just unplugged one of the ABS sensors. Disabled it just fine. Remembered that over the weekend
