VSC problem

[AlexJet]

I was off-roading at CampNL last week. When I was on the trail everything looked normal, but after the trails on the way back to base camp I mentioned that couple of warning lights light on. “Slip Car”, “VSC TRAC” and “VSC OFF” are coming on every time I’m passing 50 km/h (~30mph) mark. If I’m shutting the engine down and then starting it back, light are off, but till that magic speed. What can it be?

[bulldog]

That looks like a tricky problem. See if you can get the DTC (Trouble code pulled from the system).

My bet would be on one of the wheel sensors or sensor wires that is either dirty, not connected properly (poor connection) or one of the sensor wires are damaged and makes intermitted connection.

If you were playing in mud, clean it up and check the wires and connections on the wheelspeed sensors first.

Without a DTC it will be extremely difficult to determine where the issue is, as it can be one of the ECUs acting up as well. Normally it just tends to be a wire or connection, but you never know. Other sensors that will influence it is the yaw rate, steering angle, center diff lock and brake pedal.

[AlexJet]

This problem is strange for me, because it only occurs when the truck is crossing 30mph mark. Below this mark no lights at all. I checked the brakes on gravel road and looks like they are fine. I’ll need to test ABS also, but couldn’t find sand road in the area (on paved road my tires are giving too much grip to slip off).
I don't have the Repair Manual. Where should I look for those sensors and how do they look like? I remember that there is a brake line coming to my brakes, but don't remember any wires.

[bulldog]

On the front you will see an electrical wire on the top a-arms that goes down to the spindle (wheelhub area). Just trace thses lines on both sides and you will see where they bolt into the wheelbearing assembly.

On the rear you will see elctrical wires on the passsnger side going down to your rear axle. They will also lead to the wheel area (where the bearings are, close to it).

Trace the wire to the wheel area and make sure it is clean, etc. Also chekc the connections of the wires when tracing them back to main wiring harnass.

Just clean everything out propwerly first and see what it does.

If that fails get a DTC, probably get the DTCs anyhow.

[AlexJet]

Thanks Andries,
I'll clean the truck with pressure washer tonight. I hope cleaning those areas will resolve the issue.

[bulldog]

Once you cleaned it out check the wire connections and condition of the wires. Hope you find the problem that way, else you will have to pull the DTCs to see what the comp thinks the issue is.

[JP4Crawler]

I was having a similar situation. Except my Chk engine light, along w/ VSC TRAC & VSC OFF, all came on together. It was always after a hard day of wheelin', w/ the A-TRAC kicking in quite frequently. It would stay on all the way home & then be gone the next morning, before I could take it in. I thought it could be the A-TRAC overheating & then cooling off later.? Maybe that had something to do w/ my rear failure?

Jason

[05sport4x4]

After the Death Valley trip this year I had these lights come on also. It seems odd to me that they did not light up till I hit a certain speed (25-30mph). Also my steering wheel was no longer centered (off by 60 degrees). Finally after about 3 months of it being like that I took it into the dealer to have it checked out. They said it was a wheel position sensor that had gone bad and replaced it under warrantee. Everything has been good since then.

[AlexJet]

Once you cleaned it out check the wire connections and condition of the wires. Hope you find the problem that way, else you will have to pull the DTCs to see what the comp thinks the issue is.

Cleaned everything last night. Checked the wires, connectors - everything looks normal, wires are not cut, connectors are tight, nothing loose.
Result: lights are still on. :(

After the Death Valley trip this year I had these lights come on also. It seems odd to me that they did not light up till I hit a certain speed (25-30mph). Also my steering wheel was no longer centered (off by 60 degrees). Finally after about 3 months of it being like that I took it into the dealer to have it checked out. They said it was a wheel position sensor that had gone bad and replaced it under warrantee. Everything has been good since then.

Yes, its identical situation. My steering wheel is off centered too, only ~ 30 degrees. My A-TRAC was engaging couple times during off-road, but I'd say it was occasional. I did hit my skid couple times, one of them was very hard (so glad that I'm running AE-4 Skids, they are holding all impacts very well). Where that “wheel position sensor” is is located? Does it have anything to do with wheel off centered?

[05sport4x4]

Yes, its identical situation. My steering wheel is off centered too, only ~ 30 degrees. My A-TRAC was engaging couple times during off-road, but I'd say it was occasional. I did hit my skid couple times, one of them was very hard (so glad that I'm running AE-4 Skids, they are holding all impacts very well). Where that “wheel position sensor” is is located? Does it have anything to do with wheel off centered?

I took it to the dealer and they repaired it under warrantee so I do not know where the sensor is (I assume it is near the front wheels?). Mine went out while I came off the top of a rock and hit kind of hard (hard enough to bend the rim).

After the sensor was replaced the lights were off and the steering wheel was back to the correct position.

If you are still under warrantee I would take it back and have them look at it.

[bulldog]

Just trace the electrical wires adn you will clearly see where they go into the axle hum assembly. IIRC they are just bolted in with one bolt and have a electrical connector.

I would recommend that you pull the codes to show if it is the sensors and which wheel it is on.

[onfly]

05 Sport 4x4: If your steering was off center by that much , there is good chance a code was triggered for steering angle. This is common of your steering is thrown off by that much. Have a look at all your wheel speed sensors and see if they actually changed one? If Not . They probably just re-straightened your steering and did a Zero cal and reset your system. i
have into this problem before. An Easy fix


Juan

[05sport4x4]

05 Sport 4x4: If your steering was off center by that much , there is good chance a code was triggered for steering angle. This is common of your steering is thrown off by that much. Have a look at all your wheel speed sensors and see if they actually changed one? If Not . They probably just re-straightened your steering and did a Zero cal and reset your system. i
have into this problem before. An Easy fix


Juan
Where would the sensor be located? I can have a look this weekend but not really sure where to find it.

I believe the service rep called it a steering position sensor and not a wheel speed sensor. I will check the paperwork tonight and see what the part was called that was replaced.
Also the dealer had to order the part which took an extra day to come in.

Also one of the tire pressure sensors went south. I had the low tire pressure light on and even after checking all the tires (including the spare) it would not go off. It was corrected with the new tire sensor (also replaced under warrantee).

[onfly]

It would be difficult to see it, cause the angle sensor is in your steering wheel assembly. Below your spiral cable assembly, if i remember right.
Anyways if he told you he had to wait a day for it ,they probably replaced it.???? But, these days dealers will tell you anything. Bottom line the problem is fixed. I have encountered the angle sensor code a few times and all of the times it was just the steering wheel being thrown off a great deal. After straightening the wheel, the mil lights never came back on . But the code was retained in the history. As for your Direct tire pressure sensor , you were just lucky i guess. Ive heard of faulty tire sensors before, no biggy.


Juan

[AlexJet]

I checked all wheel sensors. I cleaned them too. They look normal and not broken.
I dropped my truck this morning at the dealer. I hope they will fix it today.

[onfly]

Alexjet,

Please let me know what the code was?

Just wondering if it was Code- C1231 - Malfunction in steering angle sensor.
Thanks !


Juan

[AlexJet]

Alexjet,
Please let me know what the code was?
Just wondering if it was Code- C1231 - Malfunction in steering angle sensor.
Thanks !
Juan

I'll look at my invoice as soon as I'd get my truck back. I hope it will be somewhere on papers.
I'll get to you as soon as I'll get my truck back, should be tonight.

[AlexJet]

Just got back from the dealership.
They fixed the problem and done alignment for me under the warranty. The service guy, who gave me the keys, said that this was ECU problem and they reprogrammed it. Unfortunately it was too late for service advisers (they gone home by that time), so I was told that the paperwork will be mailed to me.
Sorry guys, do not know the error code yet. I hope it will be on the paperwork.

[onfly]

Alexjet,

Glad to see your problem was fixed without any cost to you.
Im pretty sure all they did was an alignment to fix your problem.
ECU problem??? and Reprogramming?? Very unlikely.

Im almost certain that the ABS and Trac Ecu cannot be reprogrammed ?.At any dealer in the most part. In some cases Engine and Ect ecu's can be flashed(reprogrammed)by dealer, for improved shifting by use of TDT. I just dont think that was the case for your vehicle. Most likely SET THE TOE AND LET HIM GO! Regardless, your ready for the trail again.

MY 2 CENTS

Juan

[AlexJet]

...
Regardless, your ready for the trail again.
...

I hope so... You know every time I'm coming back from any trails, I'm founding out that I have to do something.