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Slip indicator light / ABS, 4WD, Slip indicator light and Brake light alternating

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15K views 9 replies 5 participants last post by  mistrettata  
#1 · (Edited)
Recently after doing my engine swap, my slip indicator light would come on shortly after driving my 09 Rav4 V6 AWD. Pressing the traction control OFF didn't help.

Initially I had thought that the steering wheel being crooked was the culprit due to during the reassembly of the Intermediate Steering Shaft to the steering rack, I had misaligned the teeth and it just needed to be disconnected, realigned and it'd be fixed. Nope. Apparently after driving a short distance the rav4 noticed that the steering wheel was off and prompted me for realignment by throwing the Slip indicator light.

All the ABS, 4WD, Slip indicator light and Brake light forum threads indicated that the brake light switch needed to be replaced but considering that the lights would alternate back and forth made me wonder 2nd guess that diagnostic. Several other threads showed that the speed sensors could potentially be the culprit. I was just about to use @JuneBug post about locating the fault using a jumper of the CG (4) and TC (13) pins on the OBD port when no CEL is present.

JuneBug said:
However, if you have other warning lights showing without the CEL, most code readers can't display the codes because they are not stored in the ECM. But there is an easy way to read these codes by using the jumper method. All you need is a short piece of small gauge wire--speaker wire works fine, or even a paper clip bent into a U shape. With the ignition off, place the jumper wire across pins 4 and 13 of the diagnostic port.
Click to expand...
 
#2 · (Edited)
Upon further research before I attempted this jumper method showed that a Zero Point Calibration (link to BC-26 PDF) needed to be completed. This was not going to be an easy task since the local Toyota Dealership, nor any of the local mechanic shops will touch my Rav4 with its current mods. The calibration appeared to need to an "intelligent tester" device, something Torque Pro wasn't able to assist with so I procrastinated resolving the issue since it drove "ok".

After driving for a few weeks with the light on, it would start alternating between the Slip indicator light and all four of the ABS, 4WD, Slip indicator light and Brake lights. When any of these light were on, the cruise control did not work but other than that the Rav4 drove fine. The biggest grip I had was that when the ABS, 4WD, Slip indicator light and Brake light combo came on, I also had no 4WD and the car would mercilessly spin the front tires.

Then I came across this video:

Although this zero point calibration was performed on a older Highlander, it made me re-read the original BC-26 BRAKE CONTROL – VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM Calibration PDF. Sure enough, there it was under my nose the whole time.

CLEAR ZERO POINT CALIBRATION DATA (When not
Using Intelligent Tester)
PERFORM ZERO POINT CALIBRATION OF YAW
RATE AND DECELERATION SENSOR (When not
Using Intelligent Tester)

To clear the Zero point calibration data without an Intelligent Tester:

  1. Ensure that the Rav4 is in Park with no brake pedal or parking brake applied. Make sure the Rav4 is stationary, on level ground with a slope of no more than 1° and do not vibrate the
    vehicle by tilting, moving or shaking it during the procedure.
  2. Using two paper clips bent into a shap that allows them to stay apart but can be easily touched together, insert them into terminal 4 (CG) and 12 (TS) of the OBD2 port but do not let them touch.
  3. Turn the ignition switch to ON but do not start the Rav4.
  4. Wait about 3 seconds
  5. Touch the two paper clips together 4 or more times within 8 seconds.
  6. The VSC and ABS lights will blink repeatedly but not in synchronized fashion.
  7. Turn Rav4 off.
To perform the Zero point calibration data without an Intelligent Tester after completing the steps above:
  1. Engage parking brake
  2. Touch the two paper clips together and turn the ignition switch to ON but do not start the Rav4.
  3. The VSC and ABS lights will start blinking in unison after about 2 seconds.
  4. Turn Rav4 off - thats it!

Once I completed these steps the slip indicator light went off and the ABS, 4WD, Slip indicator light and Brake light never came back on!
 
#10 ·
TEKSMRT said:
Upon further research before I attempted this jumper method showed that a Zero Point Calibration (link to BC-26 PDF) needed to be completed. This was not going to be an easy task since the local Toyota Dealership, nor any of the local mechanic shops will touch my Rav4 with its current mods. The calibration appeared to need to an "intelligent tester" device, something Torque Pro wasn't able to assist with so I procrastinated resolving the issue since it drove "ok". After driving for a few weeks with the light on, it would start alternating between the Slip indicator light and all four of the ABS, 4WD, Slip indicator light and Brake lights. When any of these light were on, the cruise control did not work but other than that the Rav4 drove fine. The biggest grip I had was that when the ABS, 4WD, Slip indicator light and Brake light combo came on, I also had no 4WD and the car would mercilessly spin the front tires. View attachment 175583 Then I came across this video:
Although this zero point calibration was performed on a older Highlander, it made me re-read the original BC-26 BRAKE CONTROL – VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM Calibration PDF. Sure enough, there it was under my nose the whole time. CLEAR ZERO POINT CALIBRATION DATA (When not Using Intelligent Tester) PERFORM ZERO POINT CALIBRATION OF YAW RATE AND DECELERATION SENSOR (When not Using Intelligent Tester) To clear the Zero point calibration data without an Intelligent Tester:
  1. Ensure that the Rav4 is in Park with no brake pedal or parking brake applied. Make sure the Rav4 is stationary, on level ground with a slope of no more than 1° and do not vibrate the vehicle by tilting, moving or shaking it during the procedure.
  2. Using two paper clips bent into a shap that allows them to stay apart but can be easily touched together, insert them into terminal 4 (CG) and 12 (TS) of the OBD2 port but do not let them touch.
  3. Turn the ignition switch to ON but do not start the Rav4.
  4. Wait about 3 seconds
  5. Touch the two paper clips together 4 or more times within 8 seconds.
  6. The VSC and ABS lights will blink repeatedly but not in synchronized fashion.
  7. Turn Rav4 off.
To perform the Zero point calibration data without an Intelligent Tester after completing the steps above:
  1. Engage parking brake
  2. Touch the two paper clips together and turn the ignition switch to ON but do not start the Rav4.
  3. The VSC and ABS lights will start blinking in unison after about 2 seconds.
  4. Turn Rav4 off - thats it!
Once I completed these steps the slip indicator light went off and the ABS, 4WD, Slip indicator light and Brake light never came back on!
Click to expand...
Thanks! Ill try that!
 
#3 ·
Nice job! I had to do this on my 2002 Highlander after swapping the rear suspension to 2004-2007 (knuckles, ABS sensors, CV axles, etc) to get everything working again. I found this exact video too.

What engine did you swap to, another 2GR-FE?
 
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#5 ·
NICE! What is the fate of the original 2GR?
 
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#6 ·
Using 0w20 oil in an engine designed for casual driving that originally came with 5w30. I think switching from 5w30 after driving for 140k miles to 0w20 - the last 20k driven hard with 0w20 killed it. I spun cylinder 6 rod bearing and got rod knock.

In some of the later 2GRFE engines (+2012 i think) Toy/Lex switched from recommending 5w30 and started pushing 0w20. They started recommending 0w20 for better Fuel Economy and CARB compliance. Stick with a heavier oil weight if you value the engine life. The 0w20 is for "family cars" driven nicely I don't drive nicely so if you don't either, I'd steer clear of 0w20.

Let’s just also say I have insider information and there are about 3x more failures nationally with 0W20 oil.
 
#7 ·
I agree and I’m glad my skepticism wasn’t unwarranted. I also have a ‘14 RX350 with the 2GR and that car only sees 5-30. Although it is driven a lot nicer than the Highlander and RAV4, I’m more concerned with overall protection, lubrication & reliability over some MPGs.
 
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