2009 Tacoma - Problems with VSC and TRAC systems - PLEASE HELP!! - 4Wheel & Off-Road Forums at 4Wheel & Off-Road Magazine 4-Wheel & Off-Road

2009 Tacoma - Problems with VSC and TRAC systems - PLEASE HELP!!

  
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2009 Tacoma - Problems with VSC and TRAC systems - PLEASE HELP!!

 
Jgable Jgable
New User | Posts: 2 | Joined: 02/09
Posted: 02/08/09
01:02 PM

My 09 Taco is the first to come complete with the VSC, vehicle stability controle, TRAC, traction controle system, and A-TRAC, active traction controle as well as Auto-LSD, limited slip diff. All of these systems sound good until you really try to make sense of them all and how they work together. They did give me a button to shut off the VSC and TRAC, supposedly, but some of these systems will automatically reactivate when the vehicle "picks up speed" (as it sais in the manual).
So here is my problem...
After installing a All-Pro 3" lift and some Cooper STT 33" tires, I went to Moabs Lockheart Canyon to test it out. On that trail is a long sandy hill with a small rock obstical at the top, followed by more sand. I was in 4lo, rear locked, and tried a slow start in 2nd gear. About half way up the wheels began to spin as I knew they would, but instead of being able to give it the gas and accelrate to get moving, the truck began beeping and shuttering the brakes like ABS. I also was losing power from the engine. Basically I got stuck where I thought I could have kept going because the truck would not let me try. Every time I pressed on the gas I got the same result. I backed down and decided to try a faster run at it and this time made it to the rocks. I had to slow down to get over the rocks and moved into the next sandy section where the truck started up with the same beeping and shuttering. I had to pump and pump the peddle to get through that part to the top. I felt quite frustrated wondering why I was having so much trouble since I have all these great traction systems on the truck. And, when in lock mode they are suppost to be turned off anyway! And what will happen if I get into some deep mud!? Sometimes you just need to give it the gas!
I have spoken with several Toyota people and I know this was a problem for the FJ crowd as well. I was told that you can "cut the purple wire" coming from the ABS contoller to disable the system all together and was wondering if this might also work for me as well. I was also told by a service tech that a front locker will also eliminate those systems when in lock mode. I would like to know what my options are with that also.
If anyone out there knows about this, I would be glad to know more.

PS
Toyota disclamer directly from owners manual:
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
 

 
fourwd1 fourwd1
User | Posts: 131 | Joined: 05/08
Posted: 02/09/09
09:53 AM

Lookhere, some good info on those systems.  
--------------------
seen in FOUR WHEELER magazine July 2006 and OFF-ROAD magazine Feb 2007

'84 4Runner SR5 -
ARBed 5.29s F&R, 4.7 & 2.28 t-cases, 2" drive train lift, AP hy-steer, BudBuilt x-member/skidplate, 36" TSLs, 30 spl Longs, Chevys, rears up front, winch, yada yada ...

'80 something Toy P/U -
Buick 231 V6, Holley 4 bbl, Weiand intake, Downey headers, TH350 L/U w/700R4 low gearset, dual tanks & batterys ...

89 4Runner SR5 -

 
SnoMan SnoMan
Addict | Posts: 2005 | Joined: 03/08
Posted: 02/09/09
10:48 AM

The ABS and traction control is balanced and calibrated for stock and stock tires. With you lifted it and installed bigger tires that all kinda went out the window. I am sometimes amazed when people take a new truck and cut it up and then have problems and cannot figure out why. Also to suggest disabling ABS to fix this is kinda foolish because ABS can work nice and be a savior at time. I would suggest you talk to dealer about possibly reprogramming ECM and consider a gear ratio swap too and try to bring it all back into balance.  

 
maryjstar89 maryjstar89
New User | Posts: 4 | Joined: 09/08
Posted: 02/11/09
07:21 PM

dang i've only had my truck for a few months and i don't know anything about it educate me!  

 

Toyota Tacoma Research
Toyota Tacoma Being one of the most popular cars in its class, the Toyota Tacoma offers good performance and quality. The V6 standard engine in the Tacoma gives you 236 horsepower with an estimated 18 mpg. It comes with comparable warranty coverage to other vehicles in its class. You may also be interested in the Ford Ranger and the Jeep Liberty.