DAC flash with clicking noise while starting uphill

Hey guys, new to 4x4 and Tacoma's. purchased 2012 Baja Ed. After parking on a step uphill I tried to drive and noticed something strange. With the let off of the brake and pressing on the gas my truck slipped while rolling backwards. The DAC flashed form the left side of the dash and I noticed a clicking noise until I gave enough gas to go forward.

I thought Imay need to use the DAC so I put the truck in neutral and pushed the DAC button after putting in 4X4. It turned on (flashed on right side, not left) of dash. however I still experienced the slip. This can't be normal. Do I have a problem or am I just doing something wrong.

I have read the manual but I'm still a little confused with all these off road features. Any info is appreciated.

Karl

 

That's normal. The first thing you heard was the "Hill Start Assist". It applies the brakes to keep you from rolling backwards. It works automatically in 2 and 4 wheel drive.

 

Ok not at work anymore, I can answer more in depth.

Like I posted before the clicking and flashing light is normal for the hill start assist. The light just flashes to let you know it's active. Its used for those times when you're stoped on a hill and as soon as you let off the brake the truck wants to roll backwards. Well this keeps ya from doing that. The DAC on the other hand does not work automaticly, IIRC the DAC or Down hill Assist Control only works in 4 low. This completely controls the brakes for you while easing down a steep decent giving you more control in steering and so on. DAC will disengage automatically as soon as you hit the brake ( be careful doing that while going down a steep hill, I learned it ain't fun lol)

Now as far as the other 4 wheel drive modes...... good luck. I'm still learning mine. I can tell you this much about though. 4 Hi will do most any 4x4 task you try, if you need for torque or traction 4 Low WITH ATrac and the rear diff locked is where it's at. The rear diff only works in 4 Low too. ATrac acts like a locker to send power to the wheel that's got traction. From what I have seen of it, its pretty bad ass and you will like it. There are multiple threads on this site that discuss the different drive modes for our trucks, look one of em up and see what you can get out of em, I tried and I'm still left wondering about some stuff.

Welcome to Tacoma World, feel free to stick around and ask more questions, most guys are cool here and are more than willing to help out.

 

Like MudFlap said it's Hill Assist Control. There is no manually turning it on or off. It's on in gear. It will hold your truck in place while you switch your foot to the throttle. It deactivates after a certain amount of time. Could have been your problem.

Also, to use Downhill Assist Controll, you must be in 4 Low and in the gear of the direction you are going downhill (forward or reverse) for DAC to turn on.

 

Hopefully this helps.

 

I thought the hill assist was only in manual tranny's... I'm going to have to look into this some more I guess.



EDIT: huh... Apparently HAC and DAC are only available on automatics. At least for the 2013's. I have DAC but I am pretty sure I don't have HAC.

Hey GP3 does your 2007 have HAC?

 

Automatics only.

Yes, my 2007 has it. VSC/TRAC/HAC/DAC/AUTOLSD/ATRAC was optional package on the TRD Off Road for 2005-2008.

If you have DAC on your 2005, you have HAC.

 

I see. Interesting. So how would I test this? Go to a steep hill and put it in gear and let off the brake and see if it rolls backwards?

 

Yep.

It will make noise while the brakes do it's thing, and if I remember correctly, the slip indicator (truck with skidmarks) will light up while it makes noise and does it's thing. Careful though, it will deactivate after a few seconds.

 

What kind of noises will it make? The regular brake noise or a buzzing sound? I have a 2014 taco and it did all the same things the guy who started this thread did, same situation but mine screamed at me when I let off the gas (buzzed loudly) I was in four low. At first I though I just messed up my tranny bc it was in drive and I started moving backward. Seems like it might be real easy to break a tranny that way. Idk I'm still learning. Off topic my b