"Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

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

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

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:angel: 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.

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

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/

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

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.

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

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.cox.net/mikejl/TCH/VSC%20Diagnostics.jpg

Mike

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

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.

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

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

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

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.

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

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.

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

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

Mike

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

Good luck bud.

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

UPDATE

Dropped the TCH off at the dealers at 7 am. I left them the printout I got from Power Toyota and a post by hazer00 I printed out from Toyotanation.com.

I finally heard back from them at 3:30 pm. The mechanic told me they couldn't find anything so the called in a Factory Rep to look at it. He suggested they replace the rear sensor to see if that fixes it. The sensor won't be in until tomorrow so I have to leave the car overnight.

Mike

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

Mike,

At least you now have a dealer that listens. I am still leaning towards the Skid control ECU because of the G numbers but I'm sure they will get it fixed. hazer is one of the good guys at TN and knows what he is doing.

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

Got the Camry back yesterday. They replaced the sensor so nothing to do now but wait and see if I get anymore warnings. I will post back if I do.

Thanks for all the help and input guys!

Mike

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

I just thought I would post an update. It has been over a month now and I haven't had any "Check VSC System" warnings yet. :)

It looks like the problem may be fixed, but it will take a full 3 months without any warnings before I'm completely convinced.

Mike

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

Glad to hear it! I hope the warning is gone for good.

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

It's been well over 3 months now and I haven't had another warning pop up. I think it is safe to safe they fixed the problem. :)

Mike

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

Mike,

After my third incident with this I can tell you it is NOT normal. My dealer originally stated when my VSC did not active and my anti-lock breaks locked that a) it was in spec b) I must need new snow tires. Or Maybe it was me. I have driven in the winter for years and have had many cars with anti lock brakes. I know what to expect.

On the second occasion (now in the summer months) the VSC warning lights all lit up and stayed on all the way to the dealership. The service desk staff told me that it was not unusual this happens one in every 100 cars. It was a simple reprogramming of the computer. It should not happen again.

Until last night. I few months later. They had someone bring me a loaner car because I spoke with the sales manager not the service manager, who clearly in not qualified, nor his staff at the service desk to assess and fix such problems. The sales manager got the master tech for the shop to look at it today. What a surprise, the whole VSC harness and probably the computer chip need to be replaced, because it did not work.

Now you need to know the following items. The anti-lock brakes are affected by the VSC system. When the VSC warning lights go on, the back up braking is sudden and sharp, the drive braking is hard and too the floor. The VSC systems impacts the braking of a vehicle. Lastly, through another source (a toyota tech at another dealership) I learned that the only mechanical braking system on this car is the emergency brake. The Real brakes are all managed through this VSC system and its computer.

Have them replace your VSC system now. Before it happens again, let alone the potential consequences of it happening while you are driving somewhere.

Your dealership is does not know what it is doing.

Bob

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

Bob,

It has been 21 months since his car was fixed. The ABS sensors CAN cause this issue as can a lot of other items.

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

From what I can tell, some folks are assuming that the driver is actually doing something. No, I tuned on my car, and the Check VSC System came on (sunny day, 70 degrees). I didn't yet move the car. When I did, it was like I had no power brakes at all. I turned the car on and off a few times, that cleared the error once, then the brakes worked perfect. 2 days later, sunny day 70 degrees, it happened again. SO I just drove it like that, knowing I'd have to put my foot into the brake when needed. Eventually, the warning went out, and then the brakes would work perfectly again. I do notice that my brake fluid is near the low limit, so I'm thinking that may have something to do with it. I intend to check all my calipers for excessively worn pads. If that corrects the problem. I'll let the forum know.

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

Where on this almost 2 year old thread did ANYONE say the driver is doing something to cause this? What is the code that is set on your car? Is it a speed sensor, yaw rate sensor or some other problem? The code is NOT cleared, it is stored in the system and can be read.

Find out the code and let us know and someone on here should be able to help or at least point you in the right direction.

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

Since we are discussing this issue can I get a clarification on the terms used above?

Back up braking, "the back up braking is sudden and sharp"?

Drive Braking, "the drive braking is hard and too the floor"?

ABS
The primary sensors are the ABS wheel sensors which allow the ABS computer to compare wheel rotational speed. The brake pedal sensor also detects how you hit the pedal.
The proper way to use brakes on a car with ABS is to apply constant heavy pressure. Don't pump but use constant heavy pressure. You will get feedback (pulsating) through the brake pedal that the ABS is managing hydraulic pressure to the calipers to control wheel spin.

VSC
Vehicle Stability Control is a combination of ABS and engine control. The computer takes inputs from the steering, brake pedal sensor, ABS sensors and the yaw sensor to judiciously or carefully apply brake and manage engine power to stop wheel spin and correct speed in the interest of assisting the driver to regain control of the car. The yaw sensor is definitely important. The Toyota service manual actually includes a procedure to calibrate the yaw sensor after a wheel alignment. Your corner garage is probably not going to be aware of that one.

Being the adventurous sort I have forced the VSC to take action by entering a corner too quickly. I don't recommend that you intentionally attempt this type of manuver but the system does a good job of saving your backside. The lightest or unloaded corner wants to lock up in the rear and VSC system reads the ABS sensor and yaw to stop the wheel lock and reduce speed.

Here's some important information from the owners manual, always good to do a pre-flight check and know the status of all the lights:













When the yellow warning light comes on, the regenerative brake system and/or electronically controlled brake system is malfunctioning.










The red warning light does not come on even if the parking brake is applied when the hybrid system is on.






The red and yellow warning lights may stay on for about 60 seconds after the hybrid system is started. It is normal if it turns off after a while.










The red warning light does not turn off even after the parking brake is released with the hybrid system turned on.

The red warning light stays on with the hybrid system turned on.

In either case, this can indicate that the brakes may not work properly and your stopping distance will become longer. Depress the brake pedal firmly and bring the vehicle to an immediate stop.

The red brake system warning light remains on together with the “ABS” warning light and “CHECK VSC SYSTEM” warning message. In this case, not only the anti−lock brake system and vehicle stability control system will fail but also the

vehicle will become extremely unstable during braking.

So it's normal for the lights to come on breifly under certain conditions but if they stay on you had better heed the warning/s.

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

Back up braking, "the back up braking is sudden and sharp"?

I have had this happen many times, but I don't treat my case as a problem, just a bizzare programming choice.

When I start my car, I put it in neutral and coast out of my garage and onto the street. Since we have 2 cars in a narrow garage, I ride the brakes out of the garage as the passenger mirror is too close to the garage door opening for my liking. since I am very lightly on the brakes, every once in a while the car seems to slam on the brakes. I think this is part of the programming for emergency stops. I'm guessing that if the car senses an emergency stop, and you have not applied the brakes hard enough, the car will.

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

Possibilities

ABS has not fully initialized, how long do you wait before rolling backwards.

Rotor corrosion, is the rotor shiny or does it appear to have a light coating of rust? When mine sit in high moisture conditions they grab until the pads remove that light coating of rust.

Brake pedal sensor, there are 2- switches on the brake pedal one for the brake light and another that measures rate of pedal travel. I would recommend that you explain the scenario to a Toyota technician and have them verify that the 2- brake switches are adjusted/functioning correctly. It could be that this switch is sending the signal to the computer to apply more brake than is necessary. That would definitely cause issues with the VDIM system.

VSC warning light, and ABS light coming on intermittently
 

Two days after Christmas I was in a parking lot and all of the sudden, I put my foot on the brake to stop and the car flashed VSC light came on and my brakes were not working. I turned the car off and then back on and put the car into neutral and had my son push me into a stall. I turned the car off and back on and the same light was illuminated as well as ABS, Brake Warning and that triangular warning sign. My husband came down to pick me up 1/2 hr later and of course, the car worked fine. He thought I did something until it happened two more times for me and once for him. Each time the warnings came up and the brakes were not working very well (hit them to the floor and the car finally decides to brake.) We took it into the Toyota Dealer Service and on the way the light were up but after he turned it off the light did not come back on. They told us that because the codes are not coming on and they see nothing wrong when they look at it there is nothing they can do. BTW, it had been raining around the time that this was going on and is no longer raining? We have not hydroplaned or made any sudden movements...2 out of 4 times it happened I was going slow in a parking lot. Anyone have any ideas on what to do now?

Thanks!

Re: VSC warning light, and ABS light coming on intermittently
 

Did the brake pedal go all the way to the floor?

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

“CHECK VSC SYSTEM warning message. GET THE RIGHT CODE and look it up on the internet.
If you are getting a C0210 code (right Rear speed Sensor Circuit (or left, diff code)then the problem is most likely in the wiring harness directly in front of the speed sensor. This harness, part # 89516-06039, about $45.00 (connector especially)is both inside and outside of the vehicle and subjected to the elements. The speed senor is pressed into the wheel hub so it is unlikely to get "fouled" as the dealership would like you to believe. Hub and sensor...$8-900.00. The magic word in the code is "CIRCUIT". Check the wiring harness first. Good reading is going to be about 4.6 volts. Less than that is why your code won't reset.

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

I think he got this fixed or sold the car sometime in the last 4 years since his post...... Just saying.......

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

Hello guys , i have camry hybrid 2008 , I had this problem for approximately 6 months , i went to alot of car mantaince stations all of them agreed that the abs accumulator should be changed costs ~ 1000$ .. today i bought brake fluid and the problem just vanished.. so check your brake fluid before doing anything :) good luck

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

First off, lets assume you are referring to the Brake Actuator. There is warranty extension on that component and a couple of others if you car is affected. That extension is for 150,000 miles or 10 years from date of mfr.

If adding brake fluid solves your problem, then you may have not had the Brake Reservoir replaced under a TSB/Recall.

There is well known TSB/Recall on the Brake Fluid Reservoir. On some vehicles Brake Fluid was not moving between a filter in the chambers fast enough to keep up with the actuator pumping. This would result in throwing a code.

If you have never had any of the above done and you say you just added Brake Fluid, then you are saying that your brake system was very low on fluid. This points to a more serious problem somewhere else down the line.

You or a qualified tech should carefully inspect every component in the brake system to find the leak, if that is the case.

Re: "Check VSC System" Warning - Dealer Says It Is Normal For This To Display
 

I have written a complete guide about fixing check vsc system warning: https://wheelscribe.com/how-to-fix-c...-toyota-camry/