VSC/Trac Off/Check Engine Lights ON - OFF!

yabadabadoo · 06-11-2008, 10:40 AM

Hello:
I am a newbie to this forum and a very recent owner of a 2005 Scion xB with 41k miles on it! I am loving every minute of my drive on this vehicle. A few days back the VSC/Trac Off and Check Engine lights came up all of a sudden and I took it in to the dealer (mind you this is not a Toyota but a Subaru dealer) from whom I bought this vehicle for checking it out. He replied back saying its just something trivial and reset the system and everything was fine until 2 days back, when again all these 3 lights started showing up! I called the dealer again this morning and asked him if he hooked it up to a computer the first time I dropped it off and if so, what was the code. He replied back saying the first time he hooked it up the code was P0012. I have absolutely no idea what this means!
Is this something I need to be worried about and NOT use this vehicle for my commute? Your replies would be highly appreciated!

PS: I did try to search the forum before posting here, but for some reason when I click on the result it just takes me to the main page!

PCH · 06-11-2008, 12:20 PM

Code P0012 is VVTi related: Camshaft position Actuator Fault. If still under factory warranty,- def try to use it.

yabadabadoo · 06-12-2008, 09:15 AM

Thanks for your reply, PCH. I got an appointment with the Service station on Monday, but is it still safe to drive the vehicle till then?

PCH · 06-12-2008, 11:39 AM

My guess is it's safe to drive til you get to the dealer as long as the Check Engine light doesn't begin to flash or you dont feel anything wrong, like backfiring, shaking under load, stalling or loss of power.

kile529 · 06-12-2008, 06:05 PM

All 3 lights came on for me this morning. I changed my spark plugs and air filter 2 days ago...could that have anything to do with it? I have yet to get the codes checked. I'll be doing that tomorrow.

TheMailbox · 11-12-2009, 02:13 PM

it just happened to me today, i put Restore Engine Restorer in my engine oil and Lucus fuel injector cleaner in my tank. 10 minutes later my idle is reving really high and my car is acting weird and those lights come on. Are one of those agents bad for my car?

PCH · 11-12-2009, 02:41 PM

They shouldn't be bad. Not sure how necessary they are but when you put the right amounts there should be no harm. With Lucas you only need 3oz per tank, how much did you put in?

TheMailbox · 11-12-2009, 03:34 PM

the whole thing

should i add some more gas to my tank to dilute it a little?

PCH · 11-12-2009, 03:40 PM

How much was the whole thing? A pint? Any time you add any of the tank additives it's best to top the gas off so everything mixes properly.

SCIONJOEXB27 · 01-31-2010, 08:32 PM

I don't where to put this, but there is so many questions with so many different answers. I've got the vsc trac off and check engine light on, they stay on.
diagnostic codes are p0420 p0012<--with the 2 being dotted. so that means my 02 senors are converter is bad right?

PCH · 02-01-2010, 01:32 PM

The Cat is under warranty for 8 years/80K miles just in case. Both of the codes you got have been mentioned a lot on here. Just enter them in the search in you'll get many threads with answers.

SCIONJOEXB27 · 02-01-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PCH

The Cat is under warranty for 8 years/80K miles just in case. Both of the codes you got have been mentioned a lot on here. Just enter them in the search in you'll get many threads with answers.

I bought my xb used. and I've searched the codes, some of the threads say it's the senors, will some say it's the cat.

PCH · 02-01-2010, 01:50 PM

Federal emission warranty doesn't get cancelled with change of ownership.
It's usually the Cat.

TOFUlenny · 02-01-2010, 01:52 PM

after installing my Worksbell quick release and Vertex wheel i have the air bag lights and vsc /trac light and engine light so idk...

but my car drives perfect .. no problems at all... how to get rid of the 3 lights?

PCH · 02-01-2010, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCIONJOEXB27

I bought my xb used. and I've searched the codes, some of the threads say it's the senors, will some say it's the cat.

Factory repair info on P0420: http://www.myjdmphoenix.com/images/0...efficiency.pdf

Federal Emissions Warranty: http://www.epa.gov/oms/consumer/warr95fs.txt

the55wagster · 02-23-2010, 11:30 PM

i had the same problem, i just bought a obd2 scanner at autozone for 50 bucks and found that there was a leak in an evap line, so i looked and the evap line was off the intake box and i plugged it back it, unplugged the negative battery cable for 5 minutes, and it all went away and hasnt come back.

SCIONJOEXB27 · 02-24-2010, 12:20 AM

now I've got the maintence record light on too. spare flow off so I've got to take the xb in to toyota and get it all fixed.

jims_lunch_box · 03-11-2010, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kile529

All 3 lights came on for me this morning. I changed my spark plugs and air filter 2 days ago...could that have anything to do with it? I have yet to get the codes checked. I'll be doing that tomorrow.

i did the same thing(change plugs and air filter) and noticed the wire next to the air filter on the VSV Came off. I went to the dealer and bought the wires and wire housing for $30... replaced and so far lights are off. it has been 2 days now.