6 month old 2009 TCH, has 4 or 5 times in the last 4 months, gotten this warning displayed while driving. It always goes away after one or two engine start and stops. Since the warning would go away and the car was running fine I figured it was ok to let it go until my first trip to the dealer for an oil change.

Today I took it in for its 6 month oil change and asked the service rep to run the diagnostics because of the "Check VSC System" Warnings. They ran the diagnostics and said there is nothing wrong. The service guy told me that the "Check VSC System" warnings display anytime the VSC kicks in.

This doesn't seem right to me, because why would I see "Check VSC System" instead of "VSC System Activated". He told me I would need to talk to a Toyota engineer for that answer.

What do you guys think? Sound fishy?

Mike

 

Your dealer's rep is B.S.ing you. it is a warning light to tell you something is not right!
In the 4 monthes I had my TCH the VSC kicked in a lot of times and the VSC warning light didn't come on even once.
Go to another dealer.
It is possible they did not see anything wrong if the warning light was off when you did the oil change.

 

Looks like the VSC, Vehicle Stability Control is complex in it's design. This page below gives a detailed description. Try the 5 other links to learn more.

http://www.toyota.co.nz/ToyotaTechno...ility+Control/

 

Mike,

Several people have had issues with the VCS system on this board. The major problems including having the ABS actuator replaced to something as simple as a wheel sensor. The dealer is trying to BS you though. This warning indicator is telling you something is wrong and even though the light is out, the code is still stored in the onboard ECU.

You can also go to an auto parts store when the llight is on and they should be able to read the code for you. When you have that code, let us know and we can get find out what the problem is and let you know. Either way, get it fixed.

 

GeorgiaHybrid - Good to to know. The next time the warning comes on, if at all possible I will take it straight away to the dealer where I bought it. I'm posting a copy of the diagnostic printout Power Toyota gave me.

sivilyar - Thanks for your reply. I Took it the Power Toyota in Irvine, because they are only a couple of miles from me. They are a huge dealership though and this response from them surprised me.

rburt07 - Thanks for the link.

Here is a copy of the diagnostic printout.

http://members.***.net/mikejl/TCH/VSC%20Diagnostics.jpg

Mike

 

Mike,

The C0215 is just what the printout indicates. The left rear wheel sensor in the ABS system has set this code. From looking at the printout the sensor numbers themselves look OK but some of the other items indicate when the code occured you were at 1/2 throttle (47% to be exact).

The ones that do not look correct given the situation are the yaw rate sensor and the front to rear G force. How hard were you pushing the car when the light came on? I could see some of these values if you were pushing hard in a turn but if you were driving normally, they could indicate bad sensor.

Do you have another dealer nearby with a GOOD master tech that is familar with Toyota's ABS and VSC systems?

Edit: You can also post this at Toyota Nation along with the printout. There are some VERY good techs there that would be willing to help out. Just watch out for the 15 year old wanna be mechanics.

 

I never push the car and I am almost always coasting / breaking into a turn. I will look at posting over at Toyota Nation.

Thanks,
Mike

 

You're a wild one! I've only managed to activate mine twice in 2 1/2 years and only on snowy roads with sharp turns.

Mike...
Yup, you can tell when the VSC system activates normally as the wheel slip light comes on and you'll hear a beeping. When its just ABS or tracking control, the wheel slip light comes on without the beeping.

 

If you have the presence of mind to look down and see which indicator is illuminated, BREIFLY illuminated, during a VSC "event" you must have nerves of steel.

 

Taking it to a different dealer tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes.

Mike