2014 Sport - sudden loss of steering control

Check the obvious. Power steering fluid level. Power steering pump. Steering rack. I had an intermittent loss of PS issue with a Ford. Cost $3k for a new steering rack.

 

Considering a VSC recalibration requires no parts and very little time, it is the first thing I would try. You can always load up the parts cannon later if the recalibration doesn't help.

 

there have been actual cases whereby investigation by law enforcement
by insurance after a serious accident modifications by NON certifed mechanics
have resulted in negative residual results
( both will obtain access at dealer......... wrecker or impound yard )

notably with brake systems

more notably with air bags

jakd up too high................laws already on the books when bumpers dont meet

driving after an air bag activation repair by a non certified mech after activation

ANY Dealer doing the above.........there are shops in this area that will NOT touch
owner modifications

not my opinion
actually loosely enforced ................... mores when accidents are serious

or the Accident Team is called out ON Scene !!!

just sayin

 

What does this have to do with recalibrating VSC?

 

i was replyin to a differnt response

im thinkin i wont hear ' grinding noises ' unless its something mechanical

some seem to think its routine is the ' VSC ' needs to be recalibrated ( i would assume by dealer )
no less arbitrary if the truck is lifted......... sometime yes sometimes no

while that may be possible
i dont think so

no less i mentioned how from the symptons mentioned b4
in my neck o the woods
ONLY certified Techs can work on certain systems
many in my area adhere to the matter

in that if a serious accident occurs ................its considered
it can have repercussions

U dont have to agree

 

Absolutely nothing.

Just saying...

 

Process update:

Just spoke with the guy in the shop... He drove the truck for about an hour over the weekend... Was able to make the symptom happen once... His initial diagnosis was that the the ABS was coming on for a second... With the lift, larger tires and rims with an offset, he felt the computer was thinking I was on ice and in a skid...

He heard the "low grinding noise" I mentioned and felt it wasn't mechanical. In his opinion, it was the ABS doing rapid pumping... He mentioned driving the truck for a week or so with the ABS turned off to see if that was it before pouring a ton of money into the repair.

I told him about this thread and sent him the link to it, as well as the "reset your VSC" for his review... But sounds like his initial diagnosis and the groups were pretty similar.

jimmyh...I think that you and mechanic are right about the "grinding sound" - that its the ABS pumping, not mechanical... In retrospect, that sounds correct..

RoadDog... you make a very good point about Toyota certified mechanics and liability... Failure on this could be beyond personally horrible for myself or others... It could involve serious finances as well... Thanks

StickyTaco... Thanks for pointing out the VSC issue and the link... Which also led me to the "turn off the ABS" thread

Really appreciate all the support from the group... This was my first post here, and you guys were most helpful... probably saved me a ton of time, money and certainly anxiety - particularly if I taken the truck to the shop that did the lift. Your advice also gave me a lot of confidence in my mechanics diagnosis, and gave him further info regarding the fix.

Very nice.

I'll post again in a few days to report if the problem was solved, but seems hopeful right now

Thanks

 

If you read up on VSC and understand what it does, you will get a better understanding of why it's causing the symptoms you have and why recalibrating it will fix the problem. In the time it took you to write that post, you could have fixed your truck. Instead, you chose to take the advice of a idiot mechanic and disable safety features.

 

Haven't disabled anything yet, trucks not in my possession... But Definitely going to re calibrate the VSC

 

Thanks for the feedback. Keep us up to date.

A quick VSC Calibration will make you happy. I am suprised that the "mechanic" didn't just go ahead and do it.

 

as long as we're guessing>steering shaft loose or disconnected

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvoprDLubKw

 

Just got the truck back... Mechanic did the VSC calibration recommended... His own diagnostic this morning led him to the ABS... When I sent him a link to the VSC thread, he was like "OF COURSE -- THAT'S *IT*" - made complete sense to him.

So truck is re-calibrated... I feel a whole lot better... He charged me $50, and thanked me for showing him the link and this site... I'll road test the truck locally tonight, and take it up and down canyon tomorrow... about 180 mile round trip... That should confirm it.

Thanks to all

 

sounds like U have found a good decent mechanic

its not about me being right .....................no matter what

i hope you get it corrected & be safe

good luck

 

Thanks for the update.

I do feel it should have been free.... Whatever.

 

You’re too kind. The mechanic should have paid whomung $50 for a valuable lesson since he now has the knowledge to charge future customers $50 for a 5 minute service. The mechanic should also pay everyone in this thread that suggested VSC calibration, an additional $20.

 

Well... I just drove 80 miles down canyon... and it happened again... only once, as opposed to three times last week.. but same loss of control and abs pumping for about 1.5 seconds on a sweeping right turn doing 50 mph... kinda bummed... and I still got to go back home

 

.

I almost thought he was going to pay me... and all of you... but looks like fix didn’t quite do it...

 

this is the oddest problem on the forum. good luck. i have nothing.

 

If it only does it on sweeping right turns, and not sweeping left turns, I’m gonna guess the calibration still isn’t right. It would be something if he charged you $50 and didn’t do it right.