vsc light on. No CEL light

[Eurobob]

I have a 2001 avalon w/ 61000 miles on it. I had a problem with my m.a.f. sensor that was causing my check engine light to come on with the vsc as well. I have fixed the M.a.f. problem, but the vsc light never went out. Brakes are new, fluid level good. the light was turned off by a snap on code reader, but came back on while driving. At some point the car was taken out of park and put in reverse for about 3 feet while in gear with the car off. Does this make the sensors out of position? Is there anyway to clear the code without having to drop the cash at a dealer?

[Qslim]

Originally Posted by Eurobob

I have a 2001 avalon w/ 61000 miles on it. I had a problem with my m.a.f. sensor that was causing my check engine light to come on with the vsc as well. I have fixed the M.a.f. problem, but the vsc light never went out. Brakes are new, fluid level good. the light was turned off by a snap on code reader, but came back on while driving. At some point the car was taken out of park and put in reverse for about 3 feet while in gear with the car off. Does this make the sensors out of position? Is there anyway to clear the code without having to drop the cash at a dealer?

Here is the procedure for clearing it. The connector is located under the hood, and when you open it there will be a little map showing you the terminals. In place of the fancy sst you can use a paperclip or small length of wire.

1. Using SST, connect terminals Tc and E1 of the DLC1 or Tc and CG of the DLC3. SST 09843 - 18020 or 09843 - 18040
2. Turn the ignition switch ON.
3. Clear the DTC stored in ECU by depressing the brake pedal 8 times or more within 5 seconds .
4. Check that the warning light shows the normal code.
5. Remove the SST from the terminals of DLC1 or DLC3. SST 09843 - 18020 or 09843 - 18040 HINT: Cancellation cannot be done by removing the battery cable or ECU-IG fuse.

[Eurobob]

I am assuming those are all possibilities to clear the code? will i damage anything by trying the different combinations? I am also dumb when it comes to that stuff, what is the dlc1?

[Qslim]

The instructions are basically telling you to jump two terminals of either diagnostic connector. DLC1 is the square one under the hood. That's the one you should use, because it has a little map under the lid of which terminals are which. As a general rule you shouldn't just go jumping random terminals. Make sure the ignition is off, jump the terminals, double check that you have the right ones, and then turn on the ignition and finish the procedure.

[Eurobob]

i made the jump, but it was making air bag seat belt vsc, basically anything on dash flash rapidly. is this normal?

[Eurobob]

i counted the flashes for the abs and vsc because they were coming on at the same time. 4 flashes pause 2 flashes longer pause then 5 flashes pause and 4 flashes.

[Qslim]

Alright, I just went back and re read your first post. I forgot that your check engine light was on in the first place. Code 42 is a communication error code between the main engine computer and the VSC computer that gets set for some reason on older models whenever the check engine light comes on. Follow the instructions I put up in my first post for clearing it, and you should be good to go.

And also, it is normal for everything to flash like that. What you're doing by jumping those terminals is triggering a manual diagnostic mode for all the systems. If any system has a stored code, it will blink out a two digit number like your vsc system is doing now. If everything in the system is normal, the light will just flash at a regular interval to indicate no problem.

[Eurobob]

there is the tc and e1 at the diag under the hood. i can not seem to get it to reset. i jump the tc and e1 terminals turn ignition on, hit the brakes and then i turned it off and removed the jumper. no luck. maybe i have a serious problem somewhere

[Qslim]

Yeah, I was suspecting that with the code 54 you mentioned. Alldata is screwed up for that car and doesn't list that code. Maybe one of the current techs here with access to TIS can look it up for you. Regardless, if that clearing procedure didn't work, you probably have a code linked to a real problem (probably the 54). I think you've done all you can here, personally. Might be time to take it in. Sorry we couldn't get it done for you, but post whatever the solution ends up being.

[Eurobob]

thanks for the help

[atod]

Originally Posted by Eurobob

there is the tc and e1 at the diag under the hood. i can not seem to get it to reset. i jump the tc and e1 terminals turn ignition on, hit the brakes and then i turned it off and removed the jumper. no luck. maybe i have a serious problem somewhere

Hi I'm having a similar problem on a 2000 Toyota Avalon XLS. The VSC and ABS warning lights
are on. I followed the paper clip diagnostics instructions and receive back error code
"42 54", which is what you received. Also, like your situation, I'm not able to clear the fault.

Did you find a solution or cause? I recall both lights coming on after I jumped another car off the Avalon.

Thanks

[coned]

I had a vsc and cel on at the same time. Connected the code reader and found P1135 A/F senor bank 1 senor 1. Part cost 285.00 from toyota. Put car on ramps and changed in ten minutes started engine no lights. Good job until I rolled the car back off the ramps and the VSC light came on. Of course I put the code reader on again but because the senor was new I had no code and had the wait until all the test were run by the computer. Drove 100 miles VSC light still on but code reader show all systems good and working with no codes. Should I try to clear the VSC light? How? This is for a 2002 highlander limited 6 cyl AWD.

[amisha719]

I have the same problem as above. Replaced the sensor and the check engine light is now off, but the VSC, ABS and BRAKE lights are still on. Before this, the ABS and BRAKE lights would come on and off whenever the pleased. Anyone know what's going on?

[coned]

I had a friend who worked at a Lexus dealer and he had a service tech connect the computer (laptop) to the vehicle. The car computer had to be reset took about 5 minutes gave the tech 20 bucks and drove away a happy man. No problems since. He said it happened because I tried to reset the light by disconnecting the battery which I did. I had no codes after I changed the senor but could'nt get rid of the other lights. Unfortunatly you may have to go to the dealer (one you trust) Hope this helps good luck.

[amisha719]

So I took my car in for inspection, the VSC, ABS and BRAKE lights are now off, but the car did not pass on emissions. The workup says the catalyst and evaporative system are not ready. Has this happened to anyone before? Anyone know the drive cycle for a 2002 Toyota Highlander?