'09 Camry multiple warning lights
Henry0Reilly
Member Posts: 10,892 ✭✭✭
Wife got a little stuck in the snow and the "Check VSC system" warning came on, then later the traction control, ABS, < ! >, and sometimes the battery. The cruise control quit working but I hadn't noticed that at the time when I took it to the dealer.
For $135 they said they reset 'em and I was good to go. As soon as I accelerated out of the parking lot they all came back on. Second diagnosis, one or more sensors has gone bad and it might cost $2k or more to repair.
Seems a shame to let it go with only 160k miles but my wife couldn't safely drive it with all those lights confusing her and I drive on the clock for my job and I'm sure my employer would not be happy about it.
I'm hoping it's temperature related and will go away when warm weather returns.
Comments
I recently got an education on Toyota computer and sensor systems. You have sensors for everything, and they signal modules, that signal the main computer. One sensor goes wonky, and it can cause a cascade effect on the whole system. The $2K they quoted you, could easily be just for parts.
The VSC System is constantly doing a self diagnosis, slipping in the snow overloaded it. It and the ABS system report to the same module, module couldn't handle the input from the VSC.
henry, it won’t get better or go away with warm weather.
Personally I would find a good mechanic who may or may not be working at a Toyota dealership, and have the car diagnosed properly. Hell I can set here and tell you it might cost thousands of dollars. Something that major that is happening consistently, not intermittently, should not be that difficult to figure out.
Has anyone crawled under there and checked for any loose leads to the sensors? If she was stuck the snow may have simply unplugged some of the leads when the car was pulled/pushed/extricated from the snow.
A couple years ago the VSC warning stayed on for a day or two after I had skidded to an abrupt stop on an icy road.
The lights will go off when the car isn't moving. Yesterday they stayed off for almost 2 blocks until I hit a bump. hmmmmmmmm Neoblackdog, that's a good point about the sensor connections.
Tell them at the toyota dealer the accelerator is sticking wide open and they will tear it apart to find the problem
One other thing that can effect the computer system of most cars is battery condition and proper alternator charging ,
These check engine and warning lights going wonky seems to be a fairly common occurrence when the electrical system isn't running at a consistent and correct voltage. basically it's all about how temperamental a specific system is, if voltage is not as steady as required, or if you have a bad ground somewhere in the loop , etc.
this can cause it to start with one light and cascade to many
get a really good battery check/alternator inspection and check online for where there are ground straps/ wires and check them for tightness and corrosion.
Cold weather drastically affects batteries in cars, even newer batteries can go bad .
Or, try disconnecting/reconnecting the battery. While you're at it, wire brush the battery terminals & inside the clamps. You may need to re-enter the radio code.
Neal
Do you have a list of the codes your car has? I have replaced several throttle bodies due to cold weather related issues. They operate slow and will throw a bunch of codes most related to traction. Odds of multiple sensors failing at once are slim.
First and foremost you need a good and reliable mechanic. i have one and he is a friend. he works by appointment only and typically runs a 30 day backlog. one thing i have learned by talking with him is a lot of vehicles will set multiple warning lights because of of only one problem, it doesnt mean that all of those sensors are bad. the good mechanic can determine the underlying problem, repair it and go from there. my next door neighbors 4wd tacoma is an example, it was stuck in 2ng gear, 4wd did not work, and multiple warning lights, basically stuck in limp mode to just get you home. turned out to be a simple sensor that didnt have anything to do with any of those problems. finding a good mechanic is cheaper than a new car.