Check Engine - TRAC OFF VSC OFF

I recently had a similar issue with my 2004 and it was the O2 sensor.

My 2003 4 runner and other Toyota cars will do same! The problem? Gas cap not on correctly! Why? Because system for gasoline is airtight to reduce emmissions! Fix? Take off cap rescrew on until it clicks once, then, disconnect positive battery cable for 30-60 seconds. Reattach cable lights should go off once car starts! If this helped please click MY HELPFUL LINK Thank You!

toyota 4runner 2002 how to fix vsc off trac

Papaboewons answer was right! Worked right away :) Thank you SO much!!

Have this issue on my 13 4Runner, gas cap worked for a short time, but they come back. Also noticed the car feels like it doesn’t positively shift into drive, and the drive gear indicator does not illuminate after you shift, drives fine though....? Anyone have any suggestions?

We have had the same gas cap had it looked at and tightened it and even tried a new one and it didn't fix anything.

The first time I had this issue was fixed by making a home made flat round rubber gasket made out from an inner rubber tubing of a bicycle. This is about .040 " thick with an inner hole diameter of 1.4" and outer diameter of 2.2" installed above the "O" ring of the gas cap.If I remember it right , it probably lasted 5 or more years, until now. Before, it only gave a DTC or PO456 which meant " very small emission leak" on the scan tool. This time however, It gave the the VSC OFF and VSC TRACK caution lights together with CHECK ENGINE light which was TDC/PO456 and no other DTC's stored. This did not make sense due to their relationship but I went ahead and replaced the first home made gasket but increased the outer diameter to about 3 inches. After disconnecting and reconnecting the battery as mentioned above, it fixed all 3 lights. The gas cap only clicked once compared to the continuous clicks on the fist home made one and is also tighter. I'll wait and see how long will this second one last.

Papaobewon’s suggestion fixed it very quickly. Thanks! I wanted to click on his ‘helpful link’ to possible donate a little $$& but there is no link. So instead, I wish good karma to you.

Papaobewon's suggestion also fixed the same issue on my 2013 4 runner very quickly. Thank you so much, as the toyota dealership wanted me to leave it with them for 3-4 hours, and who knows how much money to diagnose.

It worked for our 2007 4 runner! Thanks for your info and Thank God!!!

2001 4Runner 4x4... all good now. Gas cap battery thing did the job. Thank You Papaobewon. Lights out!

Perfect omg th fixed the issue on my 01 4runner

Papaobewon, you are a genius! Thanks so much for saving us another charge. It worked as you said! I hope you still get on here!

All hail papaobewon his suggestion fixed my problem as well may the wind be at your back and the sun shining on your face good karma the force is with him!

Agreed had this issue with my 2016 4RUNNER today, googled the issue and found papaobewon’s answer. Worked like a charm.

Got new gas cap and undid positive battery terminal for a minute. Worked PERFECTLY on my 2006 4Runner. Thank you and Google search!!!

Disconnecting the battery and reconnecting it will turn off the warning lights no matter what... That doesn't mean the problem is fixed. It ALWAYS resets the computer and "instantly" turns off warning lights...no matter what the problem is... So, that post is NOT brilliant or genius. Sorry. Try again.

Took my 4-Runner to the dealer, who verified through their diagnostic computer I had an emission sensor alarm due to a non-standard (locking) gas cap. They replaced the gas cap and reset the warning light. They said if the alarm persists with the new gas cap, it may be an indicator of a faulty sensor. No issues since.

went to auto zone for a free obd check which confirmed it was a gas cap issue. Replaced old gas cap ,which did not fit snugly, from the dealer. Got home pulled the positive cable from the battery for about 60 seconds..reattached, restarted and the lights are off. This is a common issue and can happen if a good gas cap is not properly tightened on the filler neck.

Could as mean a bad coil pack, any issue with check engine light will make VSC lights come on. The gas cap was a lucky guess, but not always the issue. When engine light comes on it means the PCM performed a test on emissions, and other areas with sensors, ( o2 sensors, misfires, cam position, ect) the test has to fail three times to pop the engine light on. You should never have to disconnect battery, the PCM will perform tests again once certain parameters are met, and light will go out all by itself if fix was correct

If all these lights ALWAYS come on together, the owner’s manual doesn’t state this. On two separate occasions, probably seven years apart with our 2003 4wd 4Runner, theproblem was a misaligned gas cap. The first time, the dealer service rep told us to go home and give it about a week. Everything went away. Second time, the problem was a little more persistent. Never did anyone at the dealer state check engine light always lights the VSC lights.

I have a 2008 4Runner. My 2nd 2008 4Runner and both my first one and this “new” one have the same lights on. This “new” 08 4Runner I purchased 4 days ago, had the lights in during the test drive. The dealer said “oh wow that’s new!!. I’ll have that fixed right away!!” I knew he wouldn’t fix it. I knew he wouldn’t even look into it. He said “give me a couple Hours and I’ll have the part in and I’ll have it all fixed.” I have zero doubt that he Read message boards like this one, ordered a new gas cap, unplugged the battery, and told me it’s fixed. Again this is my 2ns 2008 4Runner. I put 276,000 miles on the first. So here’s my situation...... I know it’s not the gas cap. I bought a OEM Cap yesterday from Toyota for way too much money. I have driven this thing for at least 7-8 drive cycles and probably 70 - 100 miles. The lights aren’t going out. I know if I unhook the battery they lights will go out but I haven’t done that yet because I believe they should go out eventually but they haven’t. What do you guys think? Thanks guys

Turns out problem was an O2 sensor. Advance Auto OBD check Id’d as “Bank 2, sensor 1.” I removed the sensor, read resistance across the heater element (Black to black) and found it open, confirming the sensor as bad. I then did the battery disconnect fault clear. All has been good for 10+ days.

I have a 2014 Toyota four runner limited turned car on this am and saw the trac off light and check engine light on went to auto zone got the code for gas cap bought new gas cap from auto zone put on disconnected battery reconnected and lights still on idk what to do next anybody know what next step would be? Supposed to leave on a 700 mile trip Friday am would like to fix before then as I’ll need all features

I recommend getting obsessed read again. First read may have masked another problem. The code I got for my 2003 4Runner (V8) was P0051 for an O2 sensor. If another sensor failed, it would be another code. The guy at Advance Auto said a Big Al’s muffler shop would install it for forty bucks. I did the job myself. I like working on my cars and... I had the time.

Dealer replaced my gas cap twice, after the second time of replacement not fixing it, they found a rubber vacuum line with a pin hole leak that they replaced and it has been good ever since. '12 Limited 4runner 170k

My 2004 runner (V8) engine 4.7L has the engine light problem, every time going to workshop and doing the computer check it shows bank 1 sensor 1 issue, but I have replaced 4 times but still the engine light is on, I have tried the battery disconnection method, computer code eraser, but for a few miles its off, after few millage it gets on again, but before replacing the sensors my car millage was 9.5 MPG and after replacement of all sensors now the millage is 13 MPG (Mile Per Gallon) it means the fuel consumption is reduced . since last 1 week the workshop trying to find the issue but still, they could not find the exact problem. even I have replaced all 4 O2 sensors, but the problem is in place, if someone had or has any experience of similar issue in his car please guide us, thanks in advance.

What was the code on the OBD? There’s an alpha-numeric code that can be googled very easily. If you replaced all your sensors, and you still get a code that translates to an oxygen sensor, that sensor is possibly bad. I recommend that you remove your “bank 1 sensor 1” sensor and read resistance between the black leads on the plug. Resistance should be single digit ohms. I think you may find an open reading (infinite ohms). Good luck!

God bless you papaobewan, worked like a charm on my 01

Hi there I have a 2013 limited 4Runner I took it to change the fuel pump then from there the check engine light and trac light are on what can be causing this issue

papaobewon solution worked like a charm! grateful for you

Papaobewon what he said just worked on my 2004 4 runner. I was terrified when I saw the check engine light on. Thank you so much Papaobewon

Papaobewon, I just had the same issue on my 2016 Toyota 4Runner gas cap was loose I tightened it took off the positive wire from the battery for one minute Started my engine and the lights are gone. Thank you so much for your tip

I always heard it was a bad idea to disconnect the positive battery cable--shorting out of sensitive electronics, etc. Why wouldn't you just disconnect the negative cable instead? Thanks

https://youtu.be/HjxMY78uNs8 Hi Guru2B6VD and all 4Runner owners! This youtube video is very helpful. I had the same problem you all are talking about with my 01 4Runner for years until I found this video. I bought the part on Ebay for $35 and I spent 15 minutes to swap it. The lights went off right away, it's been 3 years now. I love my 4Runner, i am sure you do to. Good luck

I recently had the trifecta lights come on. ENGINE light, TRAC OFF light, and VSC TRAC light. Hooked it up to a OBD2 monitor and gave me code P0302 cylinder 2 misfire detected. DTC severity 2 of 3. Repair immediately if drivability issues are present. I’ve changed out the spark plugs, spark plug wires, and ignition coils. A mechanic did a compression test and said the compression was low at 70. Wondering if I should do a top end job or if it can be some other issue. Any suggestions?