ABS light and VSC light both came on?

I’m new to the page but i could use some help. I had my ABS light and my VSC light came on at the same time in My 2013 Tacoma. It’s been snowing heavily and i was driving in the snow as it happened. Has this happened to any one else? Should i disconnect the battery and reconnect? Or do i take it to get the codes read?

 

You could disconnect the battery and see if it clears, if it doesn't clear or returns you will have to get the code(s) read at a minimum to proceed any farther in diagnosing it.

 

Probably a speed sensor. Check the codes to confirm.

 

They are related to each other, they will not clear unless the problem is resolved. Disconnecting the battery will not solve this.

I would suggest getting it scanned sooner than later.

 

Here is how you can check ABS codes yourself.

Check for codes and go from there.

First, connect terminal 4 and 13 of the OBD-II socket (under the dash in front of your left knee) with a jumper wire. (Those are the 4th from the left on the top and the fifth from the left on the bottom.)

Turn the ignition to on. You'll notice lots of flashing lights, but just pay attention to the ABS light. Normally, it should be rapidly and steadily flashing, twice per second. If it has stored a trouble code, it will instead be flashing a pattern that will coding a two-digit number. There may be more than one code being flashed out. It will just repeat the code over and over,so you have plenty of time to figure it out and write it (them) down.

NOW you can clear the codes. Just tapthe brakes rapidly 8 or more times,about two taps per second. You don't have tojam on the brakes, just tap them enoughto blink the brake lights. Ifyou're successful, the ABS light should return to its normal fast blinking. Now remove thejumper wire, and finally turn off the key.

Now when you turn on the key, the ABSlight should just do its normal light forthree seconds and go off. If it comesbackon, you still have a problem

 

Well shit, file this one away for good knowledge to have! Thanks man.

 

Here have you, from the FSM and the different codes

 

Does your speedometer currently work?

 

What I had found on my ABS light (that i neglected to fix for 2 years ), was that when I did the spindle gussets, the bracket had pinched the ABS wire. Although there wasn't visible damage, I was getting no voltage to my speed sensor. I ripped it apart and re-spliced myself, a new connector was almost $50 at the dealer. My bets are either a wiring or speed sensor failure.

 

Those little wires are so incredibly thin. A continuity test on the harness with a multimeter also works well to test for it.

 

Normal

 

Because ABS operation can affect the ability of the truck to control traction, it automatically shuts down VSC capability. It is letting you know that because of an ABS problem, you do not have VSC capability.

 

I believe it's the opposite. Wheel slippage and the truck yawing triggers the VSC The VSC computer then calls for individual wheel braking to correct the yaw and the ABS pump responds. Anytime the ABS pump is triggered you'll see that indicator light up.

 

how is that normal??

 

Spend the 2 bills and get a mid range LAUNCH code reader, Saved my butt and paid for itself a few times now.

 

No - what I am saying is that if there is a problem with the ABS, the ECU deactivates VSC. I am not talking about how ABS and VSC interacts between themselves. When there is a problem with the ABS system, because there is a potential problem with the brakes, the ECU will deactivate VSC and illuminates the light to let you know that you do not have VSC capability.

 

That is not entirely true. The commonality between the ABS and VSC is the speed sensors and skid control ECU, since both systems use it. Not having ABS will not prevent the use of VSC, unless the reason that not having ABS is due to say a failed speed sensor. The systems are independent but share some of the same components. VSC also uses additional sensors such as yaw rate, steering angle, and deceleration sensors. If one of those were to fail you would still have ABS but not VSC.

 

That would make sense.

OP says he was driving in the snow. When I'm driving in snow and the rear end of the truck starts to slip out the VSC takes over and both lights come on

 

The question is, did both lights come on and stay on, or just come on due to VSC and ABS activating due to wheel slippage.

 

Sounds like a normal wheel slippage reaction based on OP's question