Check engine and the traction lights came on

I have a 2009 Toyota Tacoma this is the 3rd time that the lights have.come on at the same time. It's the check engine and the traction lights. If I unhook the battery for a few hours the lights go away for about 6-8 months. Then they pop back on. The truck its self doesn't run or ride any different. What could it be? This mom really don't want to pay $110 to be told it was something simple I could fix on my own. Please HELP me.......lol

 

Try to find a friend or local TW member who has a OBD2 code reader. That way you don't have to pay $110 for diagnostics. If you know what codes are being thrown it'll be easier to figure out what is going on with your truck.

BTW Welcome to TW.

 

Dammit, someone beat me to the punch lol.

 

Same thing (check engine and traction control lights) just happened to me yesterday. I haven't reset it yet. Did you ever find out what was the problem?

 

I just had the same problem last week. But mine was caused because I lifted it. My truck wasn't even giving out a code. So I took it to the dealer. The sensor had to be recalibrate. Yup it cost me 110. There is a way to do it your self by jumping the odb. But that is hit and miss. It could work. But mine need the computer hook up to it. That what the mechanic told me. I hope this will help you.

 

Get a code reader and see what the code is, but I have had the same issue with all the lights turning on, and it is the p0420 and p0430 code which is your cats. My truck is lifted also but the codes don't lie.

 

In my experience, people tend to get a catalyst below efficiency code or similar and jump to the conclusion that it's the cats. Really, the cats shouldn't develop problems unless something else is wrong. Could be something as simple as flaky oxygen sensors giving incorrect readings.

My sister's Outback started throwing the cat below efficiency code a couple months ago and I replaced the pre and post cat O2 sensors and she's never gotten the code back since. $150 in sensors and a pizza to thank me for the half hour it took me to swap them was a heck of a lot better to her than a new cat plus new sensors after the new cat didn't solve the problem.

 

Oh, that's interesting. Checked the code with my co-workers OBDII reader. It's giving me only one code, P0012 which is P0012 "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1). Google tells me it could just be the oil control valve is stuck open. Got an apt tomorrow with the shop. How hard is it to reset the timing from a labor cost perspective? Seems to run fine but I have been expecting my mpg to increase now with warmer weather and change to summer blend gas and it's not improving yet. Maybe this is why.

 

They can not reset timing. This is either failure of VVT-I gear or the valve that controls it. If its a valve than its probably 30 minutes of work plus valve price ... if its a gear you may have some serious issue amigo.

 

Started the truck to head home from work today and the CEL is gone. Was only on for less than 24 hrs. Guess I will cancel my appt. for tomorrow since they won't get any codes to follow up on.

 

VVT-i valve failing ? Yu can try cleaning valve filter next time code shows up. What engine oil you have there right now ?

 

There are still stored codes, assuming you didn't clear them.

Codes can be 'intermittent' in some cases. You can roll the dice and see if you avoid a repeat. Had a vehicle once that did the same code twice in one week, then didn't do it again in the next 10 years of ownership.

At the very least you should clear the code(s) and let the cycle start fresh.

If it recurs, soon, even if it then goes off again, it may be work getting the work done. Just to prevent a larger issue.

 

In addition to what Bill said above, sometimes you'll get "pending" codes. They won't trigger a check engine light unless it becomes more consistent, but they will show up on a code scanner.

I had an UltraGauge in one of my Outbacks that showed me a really weird pending code once and it never actually set a CEL nor did it ever come back.

 

AMSOIL for last 80k miles

 

I will borrow my coworkers reader again and clear the codes tomorrow. Then see if it comes back again. If not, I will assume all is fine. If it comes back again, I'll definitely get it checked out.

 

Agree with this^^^; the only way the cats are indicated as 'bad' is with the rear (down stream) O2 sensor(s) behind each cat throwing a code. Had this happen on my Highlander after I went thru a high water area at 6 year old; lights came on immediately then went off/on for a few weeks then stayed on. Rear O2 replaced a year ago and all's well. On 6 cyl there will be 2. Also Nephew had a bad sensor on his Tundra; Dealer swore $2k for 2 new cats needed. He bought on-line / replaced rear sensors which fixed it, and that was 2 years ago.

Off road may expose to rougher treatment, more water immersion, possible impacts etc. Suspect them first bf cats.

 

On Subarus I have seen the front sensors cause problems instead sometimes. If they don't read right, it might throw a code even if the rear does read correctly because it sees it as not doing as much as it's supposed to--or "below efficiency threshold".

 

OK is it possible you got bad batch of oil ?
As others sugested look for pending codes but i you get this again I would not ignore it. Did you check connector on the valve ? maybe its lose.

 

I'm nearly 8000 miles in since my last oil change and oil looks good and is topped off. No adverse effects meaning no loss of power or any changes in mechanical behavior. Maybe OCV was stuck open and unstuck itself. No other pending codes. P0012 code cleared today by me. Will take to shop if CEL appears again.

 

I had the same thing happen to me and went to the dealership (toyota dealership) ,,the parts man said it was my gas cap. I bought a new Toyota gas cap and that resolved the check engine and traction lights coming on.
Saved a bunch of money,the dealership I bought it from (not a toyota dealer) wanted $100.+ dollars just to tell me what it was.
2012 double cab 110K miles