Pre Collision System and Vehicle Stability Control

My SR was stuck in the heavy snowfall 3 months ago. I rocked and rolled it out of the snow. Guess what, the PCS and VSC warnings came on right thereafter. I took it in to the dealer. They told me they have to do a diagnosis and to reset the computer. The cost is about $500.


I didn’t want to give them the $500 and figured that there must be a way to get rid of it. The warnings do not affect the driving and engine operation. I tolerated it for about 3 months. It’s a bit annoying though.


There are many postings in the forum on the same issue, but I don’t find them helpful. I took my truck in today for an oil change by my home mechanic and casually mentioned it to him. He took out his wireless handheld engine analyzer. Within a couple of minutes, it went through all the areas where computer-control are essential. Most of the results displayed are positive except the followings:


Engine and ECT – P1604 Stability malfunction

ABS/VSC/TRAC – C1436 malfunction

Pre-collision 2 – C1A50 Brake system malfunction


At the bottom of the screen it asked – clear errors

He entered YES.


When he turned on the ignition, the warnings are gone. He charged me $20 for clearing the errors. He said the same warnings will often come on after a wheel alignment. This explains why he has the analyzer. The dealer would probably do exactly the same thing. I am sure the rep at the dealer knew exactly what was needed to get rid of it, but for $500, give me a break!

 

Tale as old as time.

Glad you got your codes cleared.

 

Are you just venting or do you have a question...

 

I think he was trying to help others who might have the same issue.

 

I think its venting either way thats good to know

 

No, it looks that he is posting the solution since he could not find any info on it.

Being helpful an all

 

alternatively, one can cover over the lights with electrical tape and/or pictures of something more interesting. 60% of the time, it solves the problem every time!

 

I'd get the pre collision system turned off. That won't prevent a collision only you can. Look at the unnecessary problem it caused. I don't think you can turn off ABS/VSC/TRAC and probably don't want to, those systems work, but you can get by with out them. Engine ECT stability malfunction IDK what's going on there, sounds like something drifting would cause.

Was you out in the snow just goofing off and got stuck? Or were you out because of necessity?

 

They don’t call it the stealership for no reason

 

I searched this forum and the You Tube and found many Tacoma and other Toyota owners have this issue. People posted tricks to deactivate the sensor which I don't think is the solution. Some also suggested to turn off the warnings in the programming which is a... head-in-the-sand approach. I think using a scanner to clear the errors is the ultimate solution. If my home mechanic has one, there got to be many out there in small garages and home mechanic. My mechanic told me he paid $1,500 for the scanner. I don't mind dealers offering good services and to make money which is what we all are here for, but not to steal money because you own a Toyota.