How to reset and calibrate your VSC computer - The Easy way

This was exactly what I was looking for, thank you.

I lifted my Tacoma and after alignment my VSC light was on solid. The alignment shop told me this was common and sent me to another garage that specialized in electronics to reset the VSC. This garage was unable to recalibrate it, and tried sending me to the dealer to reset it, who was going to charge me $200. I drove away and searched until I found this post.

Turns out my VSC couldn't be reset since the alignment was not done correctly the first time and my steering wheel was not centered. Once I got this fixed, I did the reset and calibration myself.

Like others on this thread, the first time I tried the reset process I could only get the ABS light to flash. This was likely due to the fact I could not short out the pins fast enough because once my husband made me a switch, it worked like a charm and the calibration was complete after my first attempt.

 

I went with 285's and a small shock/strut assembly lift. I get the VSC,( or abs not sure)light once I do sharp turns, or coming on a turn with speed. Can anyone local who can lend me a hand to calibrate this issue? I'm not trying to mess up anything in the electric side. Im in Long Beach, CA

 

Before I tried this procedure, I connected my OBD2 scanner. My steering angle sensor was showing -7.5 degrees off center even though my steering wheel was straight. I have to turn the steering wheel to the left to get the steering angle sensor to go to 0 degrees. My truck drives straight, with the steering wheel straight while showing -7.5 degrees on the steering angle sensor. If I took a hard curve to the right, the VCS would activate. After doing this reset procedure, the VCS stopped activating but the steering angle sensor still shows -7.5 degrees. I don't know if the steering angle sensor is supposed to be reset to 0 or if the VSC "thinks" that -7.5 degrees is now the normal steering position. Someone let me know if I did something wrong.

BTW: The truck has been lifted and realigned. It drives great other than what I explained.

 

This worked great for me. Mine was stuck on, got it aligned and then found out the center pin on the rear had snapped and the axle was shifting... Got it all fixed up but after realignment light was stuck on. This maneuver got rid of it.

 

Great write up!

 

Nick- 1st time seeing this on my ‘05 in 14 years. Is this the VSC issue that you address in this thread?

 

Thanks for the write up... I've been really frustrated with my traction control going off on mountain roads around corners without guard rails. It's been lifted, aligned and 285's installed. I'll give this a try and hopefully will work. My 2008 4Runner never had this issue after the lift and bigger tires.

Seemed to work so far! Thank you very much for the information!

 

I have to try this, I’m getting tired of going around minor turns at 40 mph and the vsc goes off.

 

Thanks. I found this after I posted and attemped to do it this morning without success. I'll keep playing with it.

The truck is not level, but I don't know what normal is. After installing the two new from coilovers and putting on new shoes the drivers side front is 1/2" lower than the passengers side. The rear is closer to an inch, but this could just be taco lean, I don't know.

 

How, exactly, do you short those pins out 4 times in 8 seconds?

 

It was pretty easy. I used a short piece of safety wire and bent it into a U shape. 8 seconds is a pretty long time to short the pins out 4 times. I pushed the wire or you can use a paper clip in and then I saw the lights flash. Make sure you follow the steps. I forgot to turn the key on the first time.

This corrected my traction control issues. Before doing it, it was horrible to drive.

 

I have a 2011 tacoma and the diagnostic port looks a little different than the one pictured. My port doesn't have pins in the same holes. Would I need to use a different set of pins to short out?

 

It should be the same or pretty similar as the one the OP posted. I used a narrow gauge wire and shorted the same PINs as the OP specified. It worked for me. Mine is a 2010. If you do not feel comfortable, I would speak to your local dealer or reputable Tacoma specialist.

 

thanks, i'll certainly try it. I don't want to go to a dealer.

 

is the pin location the same for 3rd gen?anyone know by chance??
@Crom

 

I severely jacked my alignment wheeling back in August. Fiddled with it myself last weekend and made it slightly better. Noticed the VSC light came on Monday afternoon, don't remember the situation, it's just on and stayed on.
Need to do some more tweaking of the front, get it back in the right numbers, and then try the wire jump again.


And the weld the piss outta the damn cam tabs!

 

Nevermind I just tried on my 2017 TRD Offroad and it works to the T! thanks op

After some fun offroad, I messed up my alignment and VSC light came on. Took it to the alignment shop since I had the lifetime alignment but they said they do not reset VSC. Took it to the local toyota dealer for my 20k maintenance and mentioned about the VSC problem but was told I had to pay $140 for diagnostic fee and I said no thanks.
The rest is history. Thanks TacomaWorld

 

I recently lifted my '13 TRD Sport with the '15 Pro Bilstein kit and after rolling off of the lift my ABS and VSC lights were both illuminated. I was able to diagnose with an OBDII scanner that the ABS was lit due to a stretched sensor wire on the passenger side and the VSC was being triggered because of a combination of the sensor wire and lack of calibration. After getting my alignment done at the local stealership they kindly offered to fix my truck for $700.

A $25 OEM sensor wire off of eBay, 1.5 hours of my labor, and a paper clip later I fixed both issues. It wouldn't have been possible without this thread. Thanks @Crom and everyone else that contributed!!

 

@BadlandsTACO

Yup, they don't call them stealerships for nothing. Great job for economically fixing yourself!

 

I just want to say thank You for this write up, it saved me from going off on NTB. I thought they broke something during the alignment as they had to cut out my inner tie rods and was worried they knicked a wire. Still furious about being price gouged but at least I'm not worried my truck is broken.