Grinding in 4HI and VSC light coming on normal?

I was going up a steep muddy hill in 4hi when there was a clunking/grinding noise coming from the front end. The VSC light would also come on. If I turn VSC off and went back up the hill there is no strange noise. I saw a few posts where it seemed like this may be normal function of the VSC but I'd like to confirm that.

Thanks

 

Did it sound like ABS actuation? Stability control programs use the ABS system.

 

grinding is never normal. i would check into that OP.

 

It did not sound like ABS. It only seems to do it when in 4hi and loosing traction unless I turn the VSC off.

 

Sounds like trac engaging. Does the light go off when the noise stops?

 

Yes the lights goes off. It could very well be normal, but it definitely scared me, my hunting partner and all the deer through the nearby woods.

 

I will give this a read thank you. My previous truck only had one form of traction control and that was the skinny pedal (old body chevy on 35s)

 

Was there a beeping too ?

 

I did not hear any beeping

 

Seriously... when VSC is active, you get a beep-beep-beep each time there is wheel spin (truck slide). I have never heard a "grinding" sound with TRAC (in H4), only with A-TRAC... and as the manual tells you, those horrible sounds are normal in A-TRAC (Low Range traction control). The DAC is also a low range feature for safely descending steep, uneven terain.

A-TRAC and DAC are both only available on the 4WD OFF ROAD Tacomas (since 2009).

 

Perhaps?

Any time my truck skids sideways I get the three beeps and the light comes on briefly indicating VSC is working.

I don't remember any different beeping when TRAC (limited slip) is active, just a light.

 

Well , I had the traction control kick on once without beeping so that's not entirely true

 

During your beeping / VSC light episode did you get the ABS grinding / brake modulation ?

 

I am talking Vehicle Stability Control (VSC). My traction control rarely kicks on, as I live on pavement (sadly) and it only rains a couple days a year (it seems).
There is no beeping I hear with just traction control coming on. I have seen the light flash, however.

 

NO, never... I thought I made that clear.

The only grinding is with A-TRAC... and funny sounds with DAC... ticking, spring compressing sounds... pretty funny stuff!

 

I'm talking about the VSC traction control that utilizes the ABS style brake pulse not TRAC

 

When the VSC works to straighten out my Tacoma if it starts to slide sideways (wet paved road), I get a beep-beep-beep, VSC light on, and the truck straightens right out, as if it was in 4WD. I do not hear any grinding or other freaky sounds... only with A-TRAC and DAC.

TRAC works without VSC in 'AUTO LSD MODE' (TRAC OFF MODE) up to 30 mph (50 kph) when VSC comes back on. There is a TRAC light that pops on when traction control is working extra hard to make both (or the one traction) rear tires move the truck. Otherwise, it is confusing to separate TRAC from VSC in discussion. The VSC button controls TRAC and VSC modes. TRAC OFF is also a terrible name, because it is more TRAC as it is the engine regulation that is off for a stronger limited slip action.

TRAC helps the truck move ahead, usually from a stop by transferring power away from a spinning tire to a traction tire. There is engine regulation to reduce tire spin (before 2012 there was no regualation in H4).

TRAC OFF (AUTO LSD in H2) is TRAC without the engine regulation. (Before 2012, Tacomas have this mode normally in H4, but it was called 'TRAC' then)

VSC helps the truck maintain control and diving straight ahead when it tries to slide sideways on a turn from a stop or at speed, or when dodging obstructions at speed.

The VSC Button (switch):
Press Once, moving or stopped: AUTO LSD/ TRAC OFF (for more traction control)
Press and HOLD while stopped (3+ seconds): VSC OFF (turns of both VSC and TRAC)
Press again quickly, moving or stopped (or restart the truck): Returns to the standard TRAC and VSC modes for normal driving.

 

Yeah , but there is another level of Traction Control engagement where you get the beep and the truck uses an ABS style brake modulation to try to correct what the truck seems to deem a tail slide condition

Lots of grinding sounds and brake pedal pulsation

 

Lots of people have

 

LOL... I guess it's me getting old, my memory is fading! Have a great December you guys... whatever year this is! LOL