VSC, Check Engine, Trac Off ?????????

sheila · 01-14-2009, 07:47 PM

Hi, New to this. I'm have an "issue" with my 05 XB and would like some advise before heading off to dealer (been soooo ripped off by mechanics before!! >

). The VSC, Trac off and check engine light came on while parking it this morning. Went out at break and checked oil (full & clean) and turned engine over. All lights come on when first started, then all but ck engine lite go out, then a few seconds later the VSC & Trac off lights come back on and all stay on. I hit the Trac Off button but it doesn't seem to do anything, about the lights anyway. Someone at work told me to pull the negative off my battery for about 15 min to reset the computer. Does this sound like a computer problem? I would hate to mess up the computer.. I have 36K miles on it, have to admit, not a "easy" driver, take corners pretty fast my friends say (wimps), drive faster than most, but I take care of my little car...this is the first problem I've had with it. Oh, I bought new tires about a month ago, but went stock size. When I had the oil changed last, they told me I would need a new battery soon (who knows if I REALLY need one!) Any help would be appreciated...thanks guys!! Sheila

gravebox · 01-14-2009, 08:54 PM

Well Sheila, if you have an Autozone or Advanced Auto store around you. go to one of them and have them take an OBDII reader on to it and check for what codes are being thrown.

when go there say "hey, can i get one of you to use a reader on my car so i can get the codes that are being thrown". just like that, they SHOULD do it free of charge, takes 2 minutes... if that. they plug a little gadget in that will read off each code that is being thrown.

when you do that, come back here and post the codes that are being thrown and we can help you further from there.

the codes will direct us to what sensors are detecting a problem if there is one that is. sometimes this is just a faulty sensor or a one time problem that can happen due to nothing being perfect.

get those codes for us and we can tell you what's up before you spend a fortune on something that has nothing to do with the problem.

also, you can go to Harbor Freight and pick up your own OBDII reader so that you wont need to have anyone else do this for you. if you see lights pop up, you just pull out the reader, plug it into the small input port to your left just under the dash. hit "read" on the meter, and on the digital screen it will show you a code or a series of codes. you write them down and look in a code book that comes with the meter. once you've got the codes, you can hit "clear" and it will clear the codes off the ECU, turning off the lights. if there IS a problem, the lights will come back on, signifying that there is an actual problem and not just a one time thing that happened.

it should look like this: Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
i use this same meter and it works just fine.

pulling the battery off for 15+ minutes does reset the ECU, but do know, it's a self learning ECU and learns your driving habits. if you reset it that way, you'll notice your car driving a bit... weird for a few days.

sheila · 01-14-2009, 09:29 PM

Thanks so much!! I read what you guys have been writing about this problem, but it was almost like latin to me!! So let's see, the dealer will take the readings for $95 OR... I can go buy my own and do it myself (with your help, thank you)...OR go to Autozone and play the "dumb woman" bit!! LOL hummmm At least if I know which sensor it is, that'll keep the dealer/mechanic from raping me too bad. One way or another, I'll find out the codes tomorrow and get back to ya. Thank you soooo much, it's appreciated. Oh, are the sensors easy to replace? I have tools for home repair and basic tools. As far as cars go, I'm out of my territory if it doesn't have a carb and you use a timing light on it! Thanks again

gravebox · 01-15-2009, 02:48 AM

HAH! old school girl huh?

ok well here's the deal. you get those codes...

i recommend getting the reader from Harbor Freight. in the long run, you'll be saving your self the gas from driving back and forth to Autozone. and it'll be handy and ready for you at all times.

get those codes and post them here. i should be getting my xB back to me tomorrow *snow claimed it, had issues with VSC bugging in when i didn't want it to... caused me to slide more and headed for a tree so i took action to avoid a head on hit... but still skimmed it -long story short-*

when i get it back and you have those codes posted. i will see about seeing what sensors they are and i will go out and take pictures of where they are located.

generally, most of the sensors are easy to replace. MOST that is... most of the general ones that MAY go out. like i said though before, it may have been a single thing that happened... like a lean burn or miss fire on a piston or something, it happens. but the code will have direct relation to a specific sensor, so you can at least check to see if the sensor is loose or too dirty and whatnot.

the way to test sensors is a bit more advanced and requires the service manual, which i have, so if it comes to that and you are willing, i can send it to you. it has everything from electrical t mechanical service specs and diagnostics for every square inch of the xB. if you don't get it from me or someone else with a copy, you'll end up paying money for a copy... Toyota's lame like that...

sheila · 01-15-2009, 02:45 PM

Bummer about your box! good luck.

I'll have those codes for you today. We dont' have a Habor freight here anywhere close (I'm in the Palm Springs area) and I have no idea how far I should drive witht those pesky lights on, so a guy at work told me I could go to AutoZone and they have the reader thingies. I'll purchase one today (if in stock).
I'll get back to ya. Thanks again!!!

Well, here's the update and some FYI for you.
In California (damn this state!!), it is now unlawful for AutoZone to provide this service. Autozone asked the ediots at the Gov't office if they could "rent" the OBDII and the state said no, it would take business away from small businesses!! So, off to a mechanic I went (they wanted like $150 to buy a OBDII and the closest Harbor Frt is 60 miles). By the time I went to two different mechanics and still didn't have any codes, all the lights had gone off and after doing some stop 'n go (shopping), they haven't come back on since. Could it be just one of those weird things or maybe something is wrong??? I guess I'll wait and see if they come on again..
Thanks to all for your help, it's truly appreciated.
Sheila

PCH · 01-15-2009, 02:55 PM

Autozone decided to pull out of doing the MIL checks because they were getting involved in all kinds of disputes with customers and the shops. They also don't employ mechanics who know what they are looking at when they see the codes, so it's just playing safe. Can't really blame them.
Get your own reader and keep it in the glove box with your tire pressure gauge. You got one, right

gravebox · 01-15-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheila

Bummer about your box! good luck.

I'll have those codes for you today. We dont' have a Habor freight here anywhere close (I'm in the Palm Springs area) and I have no idea how far I should drive witht those pesky lights on, so a guy at work told me I could go to AutoZone and they have the reader thingies. I'll purchase one today (if in stock).
I'll get back to ya. Thanks again!!!

Well, here's the update and some FYI for you.
In California (damn this state!!), it is now unlawful for AutoZone to provide this service. Autozone asked the ediots at the Gov't office if they could "rent" the OBDII and the state said no, it would take business away from small businesses!! So, off to a mechanic I went (they wanted like $150 to buy a OBDII and the closest Harbor Frt is 60 miles). By the time I went to two different mechanics and still didn't have any codes, all the lights had gone off and after doing some stop 'n go (shopping), they haven't come back on since. Could it be just one of those weird things or maybe something is wrong??? I guess I'll wait and see if they come on again..
Thanks to all for your help, it's truly appreciated.
Sheila

sounds like it's probably a trippy MAF, probably just dirty is all.

you can pickup that OBDII reader from Harbor Freight's web page for the same price, just has shipping on it too so...

but how your explain it, it sounds like the MAF might be dirty... or there's a loose sensor wire somewhere. no biggy, if they come back on again and you get a chance to get that reader, just get the codes. the booklet that comes with the reader will give the relative sensor type. for example it'll say "something something exhaust" or "something something wheel speed" which would be one of the two exhaust sensors and the other would be one of the wheel speed sensors. pretty easy.

sheila · 01-15-2009, 04:17 PM

I'll order one from HF today. Thanks again for all the help. I HOPE you don't hear from me again!! LOL

gravebox · 01-16-2009, 06:08 AM

nah, you're more than welcome here. you're an xB owner, this is the club ;P

smellxb · 01-20-2009, 12:51 PM

Well I bought the car from Japan with the full greddy turbo kit build not sure not all was done to engine. It did come with a greddy boost controller. But I keep it to off position. How can I check the injectors? Also is there an easy way to see if pistons and rods where changed?

Note it also came with Greddy Emanagae.

gravebox · 01-20-2009, 04:40 PM

^^that's... somewhat off topic...

BUT, the reason why your lights would be on is because you are turbo'd... your MAF is reading alot more air than normal, your exhaust sensors are reading alot more exhaust than normal so it's going to throw codes. you really don't need to worry about that.

well, there's a few ways to check your injectors. if you have the right meter, you can read their duty cycle %. if not, you can get ahold of a generic A/F ratio meter and see if you're going really lean at higher rpms. those some easy ways...

there's no way to know if you've got stronger rods or pistons unless you have the invoice papers for them OR you do a full tare down of the engine.

PCH · 01-20-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smellxb

Well I bought the car from Japan with the full greddy turbo kit build not sure not all was done to engine. It did come with a greddy boost controller. But I keep it to off position. How can I check the injectors? Also is there an easy way to see if pistons and rods where changed?

Note it also came with Greddy Emanagae.

Do you have the Check Engine light ON? If yes, then what fault codes are present? Bad/clogged injectors will normally cause lean mixture or cylinder misfire codes. Same thing if they can not flow all the fuel needed under max load/boost. Then you may need to upgrade to the ones with higer flow rate. Injectors with leaking pintles may give mixture too rich code.
Would love to see pics of your turbo set-up BTW.

Clockwork Orange · 01-26-2009, 10:05 AM

What would be causing me to blow out coil packs? This is the third one I have had to replace and its getting kinda old.

PCH · 01-26-2009, 11:32 AM

Incorrect plug, gap, or just bad luck.

advs1 · 01-30-2009, 03:19 PM

dang. i got rear ended last month and all the same lights are on. i thought it was from the impact, i'm going to check the rear of the car for any loose wires, the car was hit on the rear left. i was thinking about disconnecting the battery but was unsure. might do it today since my wife managed to mess up my drivers door mirror. i'll be working on it all day i guess

HaoleXB · 01-30-2009, 03:33 PM

autozone will "rent" you the device for 0$. you just have to put a "deposit" down.

basically, they are selling you a reader and then letting you return it.

i did the same at walmart. just go in, buy the reader. go out to the parking lot and read the code. package it back up and take it back into the store and get your money back.

. . . . . at least. . . .thats what i've heard

PCH · 01-30-2009, 03:40 PM

People from AutoZone told me that AAMCO still does free code readouts.

gravebox · 01-30-2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by advs1

dang. i got rear ended last month and all the same lights are on. i thought it was from the impact, i'm going to check the rear of the car for any loose wires, the car was hit on the rear left. i was thinking about disconnecting the battery but was unsure. might do it today since my wife managed to mess up my drivers door mirror. i'll be working on it all day i guess

check your left rear speed senor and i think *if i remember correctly* the rear G-force (air bag) sensors on the reinforcement bar under the cosmetic bumper. might also want to check your lighting, see if any of your lights on that side are out.

TOYOTARY69 · 02-19-2009, 06:30 PM

hello there...well mines came on today while i wuz driving to work but i haven't done anything to my car just washed the engine with pressure washer but that wuz last week and yesterday i left my fog ligths on and it drained the battery i had to jump started but i did it with the negative cable on the block like it soposed to

kellykamay · 02-28-2009, 01:14 AM

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I kinda have the same problem with my xb. But i my wife drove used my 2006 xb, and she forgot to release the emergency break. So, she drove the car on the freeway and back home without even noticing that the e-break was on. Please let me know if you guys could also help me reset the lights, or fix any mechanical problem that i have.