Johnny Rad

You said happy ending.

sprocket

Stupid question maybe, but what would happen if you accidently hit the VSC button while driving at 45mph?

RCsGX

We don't have a VSC button. If you mean the center diff lock button, nothing bad will happen. Just make sure to turn it off if you're on pavement.

sprocket

That's exactly what I meant. I must have hit it by accident Sunday when plugging in my phone charger. I was towing my boat and all of a sudden I saw the VSC Off light and the 4x4 light as shown on P1 of this thread.

SpeedFour

This happened to wifey today, it was evident from her description that diff lock was engaged but the button wouldn't release. A quick read through the manual didn't warn of any impending doom should she drive home (five turns total), and didn't even list a top speed for low gear so I told her to come on home. While she was in transit I found this thread and lo'n'behold a quick reverse down the drive (after pushing the button to make it flash ) cured the issue. Thanks CL!

Common logic would suggest that turns on dry pavement would bind the drivetrain power up causing wheel spin (if possible) or some damage..... not sure how the tackle has advanced since the days when I actually went off roading with zeal, but I'd imagine wifey did 'some' damage on her way home, but weighing the risk I took the chance. Time will tell.

SmittysGX

Good times, Great thread!! My wife texted me a picture of her dash last night with the VCS OFF and the pic of tires and X lit up. A quick search on this forum and walla!! she is off and running! Thx all!!

MomCar

Bringing back this post, hope someone can help. My button was accidentally pressed tonight by a passenger.

I've tried all of these suggestions and the ones in the manual. I've driven in reverse and drive in straight lines and even in circles and figure eights (tore up the yard doing it) and they diff still won't unlock. The VSC OFF light is on and the diff light is blinking as if the process was not complete. But the diff is definitely locked. I even tried disconnecting the battery.

Nothing seems to be working. This is a case of the button never being used and its an '04 so this has me worried. Please help if you can.

chiph9

I can only suggest trying the suggestions again, perhaps moving the transfer case into neutral might help.

If you do decide to take it to the dealer, get it flat-bedded. You should not drive it on pavement with the center diff locked.

Chip H.

maxx430

I came on today to ask this same question and notice someone had the problem. My solution was a bit different. I did not notice both light was on the dash and as i was reversing out to the street, my car was stuck. I had to give it some gas and it caused my tires to skid a bit. My initial reserve was a decline and and when i approach the street it was a incline. From there I press the center diff button and the lights went away. Any idea why my car would hesitate in reverse?

chiph9

If you were on pavement, that would be a sign that the driveline was binding because the torque couldn't be released. With the center differential locked, if there is a speed difference between the front & rear axles (difference in wheel circumference, etc), the only way to relieve the torque is for a tire to slip.

Chip H.

MomCar

Ok I've tried everything again. I'm starting to think it may be an electrical problem because my driver's side front turn signal which is brand new isn't working sometimes. Like half the time it works and the other half it does not. Also now my driver's side window is not automatic when it goes up or down and the rest of the windows don't work at all. This problem is quickly getting out of hand.

chiph9

Battery.

Since your window lost it's auto-up settings.

Also check fuses and condition of the battery cables (ground strap too!)

Chip H.

MomCar

I've checked all of the fuses that I could think to check (nearly half) and none of them were blown. Also if I used the switch on each door to roll the windows down they work, but they don't always work from the drivers switches. Still no luck with the differential as well.

MomCar

I spoke to someone at the Lexus dealership that I bought the car from. He said to put the car in neutral, hold the button for one minute, put the car in reverse and roll back about 20-30 feet, put the car back in neutral, hold the button again, then roll forward.

I'll try this when I get home and let you guys know if this worked.

EDIT

That didn't work. I'm screwed.

agent15

Just wanted to voice my appreciation for all the feedback in this thread as well since this happened to me earlier today leaving my neighborhood. I heard the loud clunk and the two cluster lights came on.

I also experienced the flashing indicator on the cluster when I tried to activate the switch. Some combination of shifting the transfer case in and out of neutral, reversing, and turning the center lock switch on and off resolved it for me.