GS430SE2

Fault: "VSC" (Vehicle Stability Control) and "VSC off" warning lights stay on

Car: 2nd Gen Lexus GS430 (UK - right-hand drive vehicle) - 2004 model

How did the fault arise?
Car ran out of fuel a few yards short of a gas station. I put it in neutral and manually pushed it about 10 yards. After filling up and switching on, the warning lights came on, and ever since then, these warning lights have stayed on. They were never there before - 100% certain.

What have I tried to do since?
In the central console (between the front seats) there is a button to switch VSC off. That has no effect at all.
I have tried disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes. On reconnection, the warning lights come back on almost immediately.
I have looked for the OBD-II connector, which is supposed to be near the boot-release (trunk-release), but I cannot find it. I have read that shorting out pins 4 and 14 of this might clear the fault.

HELP!

Mcon

iTrader: (1)

Hey, check your fuses box on both side (driver & passenger side) Kick panel. You have a fuse that say cigarette 15Am. Check that fuse first and the other one to see if blow out any abother and that is was the light is ON. For yor OBD-ll? You have to look a little deeper into these two buttons. Put your head below that panel and you'll see there. Good luck

GS430SE2

OK, I found the OBD-II connector!

I shorted pins 4 and 14 for 30 seconds as follows:

ignition off
bridge pins 4 and 14
ignition on (did not start the engine)
Leave on for 30 seconds
ignition off
remove bridge

The VSC / VSC Off lights are now extinguished, but I expect they will come back on again... if so, what then?


btw, I cannot see how this could be fuse related, as I can, to 5 seconds accuracy, say when the problem started. "The car ran out of fuel a few yards short of a gas station. I put it in neutral and manually pushed it a bit. After filling up and switching on, the warning lights came on, and ever since then, these warning lights have stayed on. They were never there prior to this pushing - 100% certain." ???

MikeFig82

iTrader: (13)

I had the same problem before. It's probably one of your ABS Wheel Sensors. I have a scanner that can read ABS codes so it was an easy find. Also your could pull off your wheels one by one and test the sensors for continuity with a OHM meter.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-2nd-gen-1998-2005/536137-broke-abs-vsc-sensor-on-suspension-install-diy-threads-have-no-more-pics.html

Mcon

iTrader: (1)

Also, ours car have a vsc switch on the differencial. That control or stability the car ( suspention ). You know that already, but question for you. When you push the car to the gas station your car key was on the switch? and the key was in ON position on the switch? If was like that, maybe the vsc switch undestand that someting was different with the movement of the car and you by mistake you descalibrated the vsc switch.
I understand that you push the car to the gas station and maybe you push the car for one side than the other and maybe that's the reason why the vsc light is ON on your cluster. I had an IS 300 and when doing the alignment, the tech that doing it, lift up the car to the back of one side more than the other and the side that was more lift up the tech turn the tire by several second (45 secound) and I don't know why he do that but I think that the vsc light in the cluster was ON by one or two weeks and then went out alone. It was my experience. I hope this is the similar situation to what is happening to you and you light turns off very soon. For me need to be that, that you pulled the car from one side more than the other and the vsc switch is descalibrated. (I hope I have said this word correctly) LOL. Give several days to see what happens with the vsc switch and the vsc switch re-calibrated by himself.

GS430SE2

Thanks again, tlts82 and Mcon.

tlts82 - If the lights return - I'm taking it out for a run this evening. IF the fault returns, I'll check the wheel sensors with a multimeter as you suggested.

Mcon - I remember jiggling the car from one side, because if the last bit of petrol my wife had left in the tank could move into the inlet, that could have been enough to move the car just those few yards to the petrol-pump. If you said a technician nudging it slightly could have the effect of setting the VSC / VSC Off lights, then what I did certainly could have! Fingers crossed, the problem won't return.

Mcon

iTrader: (1)

I'm always happy to help other. That's what the forums are here, to help each other. Good luck with that.

Gdwrench35

I just wanted to point out that IF you were experiencing a problem with a wheel speed sensor, you would have a red ABS light as well as the VSC light. Since your only symptom is the VSC, then the problem does NOT lye within a wheel speed sensor. More than likely a steering angle sensor fault.