Check Engine, VSC and Trac Off Warning

Tiny
BRAINH
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 50,000 MILES
What causes the Check Engine, VSC, and Trac Off warning lights to all come on at the same time? What do the combination of these warning lights indicate?
Thank you.
Monday, July 19th, 2010 AT 2:20 PM

20 Replies

Tiny
TEAMLEVE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hi, Just bought a 2009 Toyota Sienna last Saturday and today a week later had the check engine light, vsc light and the trac off warning lights all come on and stay on. Saw you had the exact same thing happen, wondered if you found out what the problem was and how to fix it. Thanks
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Friday, February 11th, 2011 AT 11:04 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like a wheel speed sensor has gone out or the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) which will cause the speedometer to stop working. To be sure we should run the codes which you can do so by following these videos.

https://youtu.be/rTtAnsOlZU4

and

https://youtu.be/vMwTzURWXmk

Here is the location of sensor so you can change it out. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:09 PM
Tiny
REY-GTS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I had this problem and had to get a new VSS it took about 20 minutes for me to change it cost $54.00 for the sensor FYI
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:10 PM
Tiny
FRANKYZ13
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA
  • 125,000 MILES
The other day all of these lights flashed on. I did and OBDII diagnostic and it returned a P0500 code. After these went on the vehicle still drives, but the transmission seems to shift somewhat erratically. Help please. I don't have any type of service manual, and I'm having a problem locating the speed sensors to check them. I need general information on how to better diagnose the problem.

Thanks
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
You would need a lab scope to be able to diagnose it accurately. A speed sensor fault will trigger all that because it is used by all those systems.
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FRANKYZ13
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
As your diagram shows there appears to be two of them. Is there a difference between the two, or are they the same part for different readings? Likewise is there an easy way to identify the problematic sensor. I realize that having a scope is the ideal way to test these parts, but is there another way. Will an ohm/volt reading tell me anything useful?

Thanks Wrenchtech for your help already, and for any future posts!
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FRANKYZ13
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
A minor detail that I forgot to mention. The problem seems somewhat intermittent. The lights will come and go daily, but I have yet to identify anything that triggers them.
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
One is an input sensor and one is an output sensor. You want the output sensor which is the NC sensor.
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FRANKYZ13
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
How likely is this to be the culprit in terms of just replacing the part? Hard question to answer right? Wrenchtech I appreciate your help. I'm simply just trying not to throw money down the drain.

Thanks
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROBERTMOORE0012
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA
  • 55,000 MILES
The Toyota Sienna is an AWD model. Received error code P0500 and the tranmission would slip in and out of gear. Per the repair manual, replaced the speed sensor NT located on the side of the transmission. The issue with the transmission has been resolved, but the check engine light and VSC light come on and then will go back out over a period of time. I performed continuity check between the ECM and the sensor and there wasn't any issues. Also, check the tire presure in all the tires and I am not having any issues with the speedometer. Not having any other issues with the car. Any advise on how to resolver this matter would be greatly appreciated.
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Are you still getting the same code?
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
It's pretty likely although that's not what we would do but the diagnostic may cost more than the part so it may be worth a shot.
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROBERTMOORE0012
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes, I still have the same problem. Apologies for not getting back to you sooner, been traveling. I would really appreciate any help that you could give me to solve this problem.

Thanks, Rob Moore
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
DTC P0500 VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR "A"

DESCRIPTION

The speed sensor detects the wheel speed and sends the appropriate signals to the skid control ECU. The skid control ECU converts these wheel speed signals into a 4-pulse signal and outputs it to the ECM via the combination meter. The ECM determines the vehicle speed based on the frequency of these pulse signals.

The ECM assumes that the vehicle is being driven when the transmission counter gear indicates more than 300 rpm and over 30 seconds have passed since the park/neutral position switch was turned OFF. If there is no signal from the vehicle speed sensor with these conditions satisfied, the ECM concludes that the vehicle speed sensor is
malfunctioning. The ECM will turn on the MIL and a DTC will be set.

INSPECTION PROCEDURE
HINT:
Read freeze frame data using the intelligent tester or OBD II scan tool. The ECM records vehicle and driving condition information as freeze frame data the moment a DTC is stored. When troubleshooting, freeze frame data can help determine if the vehicle was running or stopped, if the engine was warmed up or not, if the air-fuel ratio was LEAN or RICH, and other data from the time the malfunction occurred.

1. INSPECT OPERATION OF SPEEDOMETER
a. Drive the vehicle and check if operation of the speedometer in the
combination meter is normal.
HINT:
The vehicle speed sensor is operating normally if the speedometer display is normal.

NG: CHECK SPEEDOMETER CIRCUIT
OK: GO TO NEXT STEP

2. CHECK COMBINATION METER ASSEMBLY
a. Disconnect the C10 combination meter connector.
B. Turn the ignition switch to ON.
C. Measure the voltage between the terminal of the combination meter and the body ground.
Standard voltage
Tester Connection C10-36 - Body ground
Specified Condition - 4.5 to 14 V

d. Reconnect the combination meter connector.

NG: Go to step 4
OK: GO TO NEXT STEP

3. CHECK COMBINATION METER ASSEMBLY
a. Shift the lever to the neutral position.
B. Jack up the vehicle.
C. Turn the ignition switch ON.
D. Measure the voltage of the combination meter connector as the wheel is turned slowly.

Tester Connection = C10-36 - C10-30
Specified Condition = Generated intermittently

HINT:
The output voltage should fluctuate up and down similarly to the diagram
on the left when the wheel is turned slowly. Fig 134/135

NG: REPLACE COMBINATION METER ASSEMBLY
OK: GO TO NEXT STEP

4. CHECK HARNESS AND CONNECTOR (ECM - COMBINATION
METER)
a. Disconnect the C10 combination meter connector.
B. Disconnect the E5 ECM connector.
C. Check the resistance.

Standard resistance

ECM- COMBINATION METER

d. Reconnect the combination meter connector.
E. Reconnect the ECM connector.

NG: REPAIR OR REPLACE HARNESS OR CONNECTOR
OK: REPLACE ECM

Tester Connection
E5-17 (SPD) - C10-36 = Below 1?
E5-17 (SPD) or C10-36 - Body ground = 10 k? Or higher
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARIRODRIGUEZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA
  • 101,000 MILES
Just bought the van a few days ago. Yesterday the check engine icon light and the VSC, TRAC OFF lights came on. WHat should I do? I need to go to the doctor out of town today. Is this dangerous/very serious?

Thank you for your help
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Scan for codes for engine and check battery condition including load test. Auto parts do this for free
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MD1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA
  • 55,000 MILES
What causes the Check Engine, VSC, and Trac Off warning lights to all come on at the same time?

The wife was just on here way home in our 2009 Toyota Sienna LE and they all came on.

Thank you.
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
A fault with the engine such as misfiring can cause that. Retrieve the trouble codes and let us know what it is.
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JANETMIN1996
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2007 TOYOTA SIENNA
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
Started the car, heard a small pop. The engine started running a little rough.
Shut it off. Started it again, ran smooth but the " Check Engine " light and the
VCS - Traction Control Off light came on.
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Scan for codes and get back with us autoparts do it for free
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)

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