Recalibrating VSC, why & how?

Blake,

You'll observe there's a switch (car on skiddie tires) on your dash that you can press-and-hold for about 5 seconds at vehicle start up to disable VSC while the vehicle is running. (First the Auto-LSD light kicks on, then after a few seconds it turns off and the "car on skiddie tires dash light goes on instead - Now VSC is off until you shut off ignition or turn it back on by pushing the button.)

I'm convinced that user action can be replicated by building a simple circuite with one or two "time delay relay" switches (that's a term you can google on)

Then you'd replace the existing VSC disable switch with your custom switch, without cutting or altering any factory wires. An electrical-engineer friend could help you design and solder this up, but it should be pretty simple.

 

Steve , are you going to try to build your VSC bypass switch ?

 

If you have the Toyota scanner, you can do that. Otherwise, it's the dealer.

Yeah. If the dealer hasn't heard of it, the procedure will help. They should have the tools.

 

I have a 3" readylift kit w/ 285/70/17 terragrapplers on an 2010 DC SR5 4x4. I noticed that after I got the lift and tires when i am going up a turn or exiting a turn or if I hit a low point in the road I hear a high pitched whine like something trying to activate. Could this be the VSC?

 

I just noticed this question when the thread got bumped.

The answer is, sorry, no. But since I personally haven't had the problems with the VSC, I don't have any reason to burn the time to build a switch like that.

 

The VSC is amazing on a pickup... why are you guys weird about it?

On previous trucks, wet weather, when turning and accelerating (like from a stop light, turning right) a normal pickup will fishtail way wide... as it can do when you have a panic move on the freeway to avoid hitting something... The new Tacoma (with VSC) automatically corrects the spin-out... It handles like a 4WD on wet roads with the VSC in 2WD.

The only anti-VSC issue I can think of is when off roading at speed and the beeping could really be done-away with. I like the TRAC (limited slip) otherwise I would turn off the VSC (as BJ Moose said) by holding the switch down while stopped until the VSC OFF light comes on.

 

If you read the thread, you would understand that it needs to be reset when you make changes to the front end of the vehicle (tire size, lift, front end alignment). And that some vehicles have issues if it's not reset.

If you don't reset it, it's possible it will not work correctly. In my particular case, the VSC would come on when it wasn't necessary and in a very unpredictable manner.

I don't think anyone's saying it sucks just that it needs care and feeding like anything else.

 

The VSC is great when it works properly , not so amazing when it engages when you are driving at normal speeds , and in my case on dry pavement .

 

fyI, I think the b-off program doesn't beep the VSC... was trying to fishtail the thing on wet pavement.. saw the lights.. heard no beep.

 

I know when I used to work at just tires when doing alignments on vsc toyotas you had to use codelink by hunter to reset the sensors

 

Has anyone tried recalibrating the VSC using the method above. I have a 3" lift with 33" tires. When I went to the dealer, they wanted to charge me $128 to do this!

I asked them if there was anyway I can disable the system since it is turning on when I turn. They told me that it was a safety feature and cannot be turned off.

Of course I left without getting it done. There are several dealers near me, so I can try others. But if the above procedure works, then I can just try it myself.

 

Try a different dealer or even find a local mechanic who works on Toyota products--the later could be cheaper.

Or try the method above.

 

X2...
I had this happen to me, (Toytec ULK and 285/70/17) happened a few times last week, but monday was the worst, was following a buddy from work through a winding mountain road, there were 3 cars in front of him, they all slammed on their brakes, as did he because a bus came flying around one turn... when i noticed, i lifted, went for the brake.. the VSC kicked in.. i hit the brake pedal and it was solid! No Brakes! im guessing this is a safety feature because the VSC i beleive works by braking a certain corner of the truck, so it you threw the hooks, it would eff everything up... luckily it disengaged and i was able to brake, not seconds later i would have smashed into his truck....
But it is a geat thing when it works properly... had it save my ass twice already.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPxt6Pw00yA

I love VSC. It saved me twice too.

 

Excellent video Crom! +1 to you my friend.

 

After searching around a bit it seems this problem is not only affecting Tacomas that are lifted. It is also a common problem with lifted Tundras. If you read , the same procedure using a wire as a short can be done on the Tundra. But they go on to even adjust the angle and level of the sensor. Some people there have reported a change in their acceleration by changing the angle of the sensor so that it thinks it is nose down.

Does anyone know the location of the sensor in the Tacoma?

Edit: Found another set of instructions for the 5th generation 4runner. The zero point calibration technique is nearly the same as the Tacoma.

 

Found this thread through another, I got this problem. I had this document here's where the Yaw Sensor is. I remember seeing couple sensors under carpet under front seat when I stripped the interior. IIRC it was not 3 bolts like the tundra. Might take a look later

 

Pull the ABS 1 50 amp fuse from the underhood fusebox. ABS, VSC and traction control are disabled. Don't need nanny systems offroad. Worked on my 2012. Systems like these help make bad drivers average, but they also make good and excellent drivers average also.

 

well...good and excellent drivers know that vsc, and mastering how to work
with it, adds a new fun dimension to driving... and when done correctly, you
can out-drive and out-handle anyone that doesn't have vsc. (same vehicle and
same tires) that is, if it is correctly setup and it's stock (within program specs)

4runner, no vsc and I like it. but when she breaks loose, it is loose and you
are in for a ride. Taco...dang I can recover that thing from almost any type of skid