The vehicle stability control system is implemented in most of the Toyota and Lexus cars manufactured today, and it is designed to prevent the car from slipping and sliding due to rough weather conditions.
When precipitation becomes too severe for long periods, roads become slippery and pose a challenge to the tires attempting to gain traction. The system that is meant to control the sliding of your vehicle on the road is called the vehicle stability control system, or VSC.
The VSC system is designed to prevent skidding and slipping by applying the brakes to the vehicle’s wheels.
What Is a VSC System?
The VSC or Vehicle Stability Control system is designed to prevent loss or control and skidding of the vehicle and increase stability in scenarios where the car is driven dangerously. It is one of the features that you will find in Toyota and Lexus cars.
The vehicle stability control system ensures that if the car is starting to lose grip, it will take actions to avoid any accidents by reducing the power that is sent to some of the wheels. This helps steer the vehicle back to a smooth driving track.
The Vehicle Stability Control helps to avoid accidents on foggy, rainy, and snowy days. Also, if you notice the light with the VSC sign on your dashboard turning on, it is necessary to take your vehicle into the shop and check what the problems are with the VSC system.
There has been a federal law in the US since 2012 that states all new vehicles should have VSC/ESC as part of the car’s standard features. Otherwise, the system has existed since the 1980s.
How Does The VSC System Work?
The VSC supervises traction control for each particular Lexus vehicle. The VSC controls the traction control within the car. When driving on unstable and slippery roads, there’s a loss of traction leading to the car slipping.
The system activates and provides control of the steering to maneuver the vehicle on the complicated roads. Your vehicle’s wheels have sensors that communicate directly with the powertrain control module of your Lexus.
The powertrain control module, also referred to as PCM, is a control unit integrated within the Lexus cars. It is an integrated control unit which comprises an engine control unit and a transmission control unit, otherwise known as ECU and TCU.
As the name suggests, the ECU controls the actuators for the internal combustion engines. Commonly found in modern automobiles, the Transmission Control Unit(TCU) is in charge of automatic transmission.
By utilizing the vehicle’s internal sensors, the unit determines the optimal switching intervals for gears to achieve the best performance. Essential to the vehicle stability control system, the Power Control Module works.
In case there is a problem with steering control, VSC will reduce the speed of the engine as a control for excessive physical movement.
Furthermore, the VSC will allocate greater braking force to the wheels that are most in need of friction and braking power.
The sensors on the wheels are used to track the movement and rotation of the wheels to identify which wheels require braking power. Noticing the VSC light coming on indicates that there is likely a problem with the sensors or the steering system.
What Does the VSC Light Mean?
If you see “VSC light” or the message “check VSC system” on your dashboard, this denotes a problem with the traction of your vehicle. It is usually reliable that whenever the light is on, there is an issue with the VSC or the ABS.
In case the VSC light on the dashboard of your Toyota or Lexus vehicle is blinking momentarily, that is an indication that your VSC system is functioning properly. The light remaining on as other warning lights appear on the dashboard signifies the need for professional intervention.
The ABS, alongside other control modules, functions together with the VSC system. If you notice the warning “VSC OFF,” the traction control on the system is completely disabled. At this point, the system will not enact if there is a loss of control.
In case you own a recent model of a Toyota or a Lexus, there might be a notification on your dashboard saying “check VSC system” instead of the conventional VSC light. If you mistakenly toggle the VSC button on the dashboard, the light will come on. This implies that the VSC system has been disengaged. However, the TRAC off light may turn on as well.
What causes the check VSC system light?
The most common reason to face a VSC light is engine issues. If this is the case, you’ll notice the VSC light and the check engine light will appear on your dashboard. However, VSC lights can also be caused by ABS issues, such as an ABS sensor that is faulty or wiring.
Since the VSC system is integrated with the engine management system and the brake control system to manage your vehicle’s traction, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. Here is a list of the most common causes of a VSC warning light:
#1. Engine Problems.
The most common reason for a VSC light to come on is because of an engine issue. This is especially true if you see a Check Engine light on your dashboard with the VSC light.
Modern engines have many sensors, actuators, and other components that can result in a check light, and if you have a Toyota or Lexus, then this will also cause a VSC light. Therefore, it is not possible to just guess what the issue is.
When the managed check engine light and VSC light turn on, there is a trouble code that will be stored in the engine control module. You need to read this trouble code to figure out what is causing the managed warning lights.
Common engine issues that could cause a VSC light are:
- A faulty MAF sensor,
- Bad O2 sensor,
- Loose gas cap,
- Faulty accelerator pedal,
- Bad crankshaft position sensor,
- Bad camshaft position sensor,
- And wiring issues.
There are many different parts that can cause this problem, so make sure you read the codes with the scanner before assuming you have faulty components.
#2. Faulty ABS Sensor.
The ABS sensors are located at each of your car’s wheels to measure wheel speed. Not only does the ABS control module use this information, but other major control modules like the ECM and TCM also use this info.
These ABS sensors are located by the wheel spindle hubs and are very exposed to water, rust, and dirt, making them more likely to fail compared to auto parts located somewhere else. Therefore, since the VSC systems use the ABS wheel speed, it will turn on the VSC light on the dash if there is an ABS sensor issue.
It is also possible that the ABS reluctor rings that the ABS sensor picks up and measures wheel speed from could be failing, as well as a wiring issue from the ABS sensors to the ABS control module.
The steering angle sensor is also used by both the ABS system and the VSC system, and if this sensor sends the wrong signal to the ABS system or VSC system control modules, it will turn on the VSC light.
#3. Faulty Brake Light Switch.
The brake light switch, or brake pedal switch, is located on your brake pedal. The brake light switch turns on the brake lights when you depress the brake pedal, and provides several modules with information when you use the brake pedal.
One of the systems that uses a brake light switch is the VSC system, and if the brake light switch is faulty, it will store a fault code and turn on the VSC light on the dash.
#4. Wiring Issues.
Modern vehicles have lots of electronics, and much of this requires wiring. This is also why wiring issues have become more common on modern car models. Unfortunately, wiring issues can be difficult to diagnose if you don’t have the correct skills and knowledge in electrical systems.
So, if you have checked everything else, it may be a good idea to speak to a professional if you suspect you have a wiring issue with your car.
#5. Pushed the VSC Button by accident.
On most models with VSC systems, there will also be a button to switch off the VSC system. It is possible that you were pressing buttons and accidentally pushed this button, so you may want to double-check.
However, if you had pressed this button, you would more likely see a VSC OFF light instead of a regular VSC warning light. Learn more about when to use the VSC button.
What car uses the VSC system?
VSC system is a Toyota traction system, however, you will also find it in a variety of Lexus cars. There are many other models of cars that have a VSC system, as follows:
- Toyota Camry
- Toyota Avensis
- Toyota Verso
- Toyota Sienna
- Lexus RX400H
- Lexus is250
- Lexus is220d
How to fix the VSC light?
You must figure out what’s causing the warning light to come on to fix the VSC light. You do that by reading the trouble codes with a scanner. You can also check the brake lights and brake fluid level.
The following provides some more detailed steps on how to fix the VSC light:
#1. Read the trouble codes.
Because of the number of faults that can cause VSC light, you should always scan the fault codes from the engine control module, ABS control module, and other relevant control modules before doing anything else!
Modern cars have complex diagnostic software and will diagnose for you if the problem is with an engine sensor or an ABS sensor. That is nice, because then you don’t have to measure and diagnose every sensor in the car if these are faulty. You can read the fault codes using an OBD2 scanner.
Hopefully, you have an OBD scanner that can read the engine control module. You may only find you need a special scanner to read the ABS control module on a specific make of car.
You can have a go a using a cheaper scanner which may read the codes, or get a shop to read the ABS codes for you – if you did not find a problem in the engine control module.
#2. Check Brake Lights.
One of the most likely causes of the VSC light to come on is the brake light switch. So, checking the brake lights is the quickest and easiest fix.
Have someone push down the brake pedal while you do some checks to see if the brake lights are working with the ignition on. Some brake light switches do run two different currents inside of them, and there might still be a problem with the switch even if the brake lights are functional.
But if there are no brake lights on the vehicle, then it is time to check into the brake light switch.
#3. Check The Gas Cap.
One common reason for the VSC light on Lexus and Toyota, especially if you see the TRAC OFF light and a check engine light, is a loose or leaking gas cap. If the VSC light illuminates on your car after you refuel the car, you definitely want to check the gas cap and make sure it is tight.
It can also happen if you have a running vehicle with the gas cap off while refueling your car. If that’s the case, all you may have to do is clear the code memory, and that may fix the VSC light. But, you will want to check the O-ring on the cap and make sure it is sealing properly and not leaking.
#4. Check The Brake Fluid Level.
Again, another quick fix is to check on the brake fluid in the master cylinder. Low brake fluid can cause all sorts of problems with the ABS system, which will also contribute to the failure of the VSC system.
So you’re going to want to check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder and make sure you’re not too low. If you’re very low, you need to check the brakes for any leaking fluid and refill.
#5. Talk to a professional.
If you’ve done everything mentioned above and still cannot pinpoint the problem, it might not be a bad idea to get an expert opinion. Picking up the car and paying a lot of money to get the mechanic to confirm what you already know may feel like a waste of money.
However, in some cases, it can be a very quick process, as many mechanics have been faced with the same problem multiple times and are able to fix the problem quickly.
How to Reset the VSC Light?
There is a fairly easy way you can try resetting your VSC light. It’s possible it was just an intermittent fault that caused it to come on.
To reset the VSC light, do the following:
- Stop your car and put it into P.
- Find the VSC button. It’s generally near the gear stick, but it could also be by or behind your steering wheel, depending on your car model.
- Press and hold the VSC button for a few seconds.
- You should now see TRAC OFF and VSC OFF in your instrument cluster lights. You have now disabled both the traction and VSC systems.
- Press the VSC button for a second, and both the TRAC and VSC lights will go out, and the systems will be re-engaged.
If that doesn’t work, then you will need to check the error codes and do some proper diagnostics to see what’s wrong. If you don’t have the knowledge to do it, you will need to take the car to a workshop.
Where is the VSC button located?
The VSC button is usually located under the steering wheel on the left or close to the gear lever. Both Toyota and Lexus will be similar. Some have VSC written on the button, but some models will just have the skidding car symbol.
Can I drive with the VSC light on?
In general, it is okay to drive with the VSC light. Your car will still drive fine, as long as you drive carefully. But you should be careful, because the traction control system has been disabled. Therefore, you should try to fix it as soon as possible.
How much does it cost to fix the VSC system?
The cost of fixing a VSC system can vary enormously, anywhere from $50 to $2000. The VSC system can be affected by numerous reasons why your vehicle located VSC light isn’t working.
For example, if it is a bad ABS sensor that is causing it, it may cost $250 to fix. If it is a faulty throttle body, you could easily end up spending over $1000.
How do I clear my VSC light?
In some cases, you can reset the VSC light by disconnecting and reconnecting the VSC system by pressing the VSC button. But other times, you are going to need an OBD2 scanner. Most of the time, there is a fault with something you will need to fix before you can clear the codes.
The VSC system works with many of the systems in your car model, and therefore, many different faults can cause the VSC light to appear. It therefore becomes very important to start from the right place in the diagnosis and check the codes from all control modules.