Pre-Collision System Off dash light - stock grill

I have a 2018 DC Sport, with practically speaking no modifications. Factory suspension, grill, lights, . . .

Earlier this week during a little bit of a snow squall my PCS light came on while driving on a limited access highway. There was snow on my hood, and quite possibly on my grill, definitely on my roof. There were other vehicles on the road, and as usual the slushy blend of snow and anti-freeze chemicals that PA uses was creating a dense spray all around. I pulled over, shut off the truck, turned it back on, and the light cleared for probably half a mile, then came back on again. According to the Owner's Manual near the end of the section, one cause of the light could be road spray, very heavy fog, or snow. So, these were possible, but I've never seen it before, in heavier snow for instance. Fortunately, it cleared itself over night, and with cold sunny weather restored here, has not returned.

I guess my question is, has anyone else had this happen. Certainly many of you drive in heavier snow conditions than we had here this week. I have myself, as recently as earlier this month with no PCS OFF light. As far as I know, I've had no dealer TSB action on this subject.

Thanks

 

Bring it in and have them perform the tsb on the system

 

Did you actually clean off the sensor (Toyota emblem)? I find that especially in wet, crappy winter conditions, it doesn't take a lot to get the sensor dirty to the point where it pouts and refuses to sense.

 

This happens to me when ice/snow/slush is covering the sensor. I don't worry about it as long as I'm not getting the warning when I'm driving in normal conditions.

 

Happened to me this morning during my commute.

Boat load of snow yesterday, so lots of slush/snow/salty water flying around.

Sensor area of grille was caked with frozen crap lol.

Cleaned it off, all good.

 

I get the warning when it rains or after it rains.

 

Have you had the TSB done?

 

I did as well, then I bought the little rubber tape piece they install for the tab because they wouldn't do my truck due to larger tires. Hasn't happened since.

 

Northern MD here, same thing happened on Tuesday evening to me in the wet / snowy conditions. I got notified once to clean the sensor on the grill, then next day it actually told me that the windshield one was covered. Pretty cool that it specified grille or windshield.

Both times there was a thick layer of ice or slush on the sensor. Makes sense to me - much better than it triggering the pcs and causing the truck to slam the brakes. FWIW I have the pro grille and stock windshield, but both seem to be behaving like they should.

 

yep happens to me from slush getting on the Toyota emblem. Cleaned off the emblem and it worked fine again.

 

Thanks, sounds normal, slightly curious it never happened in prior winters or even earlier this winter. I did not get out of the truck to specifically clear any accumulation around the emblem. I believe the windshield sensor was clear, but a nice glob of something might have ended up there too.

 

It is a bit unfortunate that one of the only spots the windshield wipers doesn't hit is right up where the sensor is

 

I had my recall done before I swapped to the pro grille and it seemed like all they did was lay a neoprene pad over top of the sensor. Is that what you are referencing?

 

Yes. Some people had their sensors replaced as well.

 

Huh. Not sure if I got a new sensor or not. I left the neoprene pad in place when I swapped the grille over and it seems to be fine.

 

Happened to me in Colorado when it snowed like 6 inches over night. Gotta wipe off the sensor on the front of the grille and the windshield sensor behind/in front of the rear view mirror. Let it sit for a minute then it comes back. Like others said, sucks the wipers don't clear that part of the windshield, but the defroster seemed to help quite a bit.

 

THis is "normal", unfortunately and shows how stupid Toyota was in that they OBVIOUSLY did not test these things under normal operating conditions. Also, it is not only the SENSOR that needs to be cleaned, but also, the area on the windshield where the camera is located, in that it works in conjunction with the front sensor. This was heavily documented and proved in a video by robmotive on Youtube, where he tested the TSS system. It is an excellent video. Here is a link to his video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3XMgkZhExg

 

It happened to me once while driving in snowy conditions. I pulled over, cleared a little bit of slush from the toyota logo and was all good. Never had issue again since that time.

Good luck.

 

Me 3 in Slushy wet snow. I didn't worry about it, figured it would fix itself or I would take it in...

 

Seems like I am in the minority on TW where it seems popular to hate on TSS / PCS... But I'll gladly take the sensor warning a couple times a year in exchange for the features it provides. Dynamic cruise control is among my favorite, but the PCS has saved my ass once in the time I have owned the truck (2 years), so I can't hate on it.