Diagnosis System

When troubleshooting a vehicle with a diagnosis system, the only difference from the usual troubleshooting procedure is connecting the Techstream to the vehicle and reading various data output from the vehicle's skid control ECU.

The skid control ECU records DTCs when it detects a malfunction in the ECU itself or in its circuits. To check the DTCs, connect the Techstream to the DLC3 on the vehicle. The Techstream enables you to clear the DTCs, activate the various actuators, and check the Freeze Frame Data and Data List.

1. Check the battery voltage.

   Standard Voltage: 

   11 to 14 V 

   If the voltage is below 11V, recharge the battery before proceeding to the next step.

2. Check the DLC3 (See HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT ECU CONTROLLED SYSTEMS ).

1. If the skid control ECU detects a malfunction, the ABS warning, brake warning, VSC OFF indicator and slip indicator lights will come on in order to warn the driver.

   The table below indicates which lights will come on when there is a malfunction in a particular function.

   Fig 1: Identifying ABS And Brake Warning Light Indicator

   Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
   ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INDICATION CONDITIONS
   
   

   Item / Trouble Area	ABS	EBD	BA	TRAC	VSC	Skid Control ECU
   ABS warning light	◦	◦	◦	-	-	◦
   Brake warning light	-	◦	-	-	-	◦
   VSC OFF indicator light	• (VSC OFF switch OFF)	• (VSC OFF switch OFF)	• (VSC OFF switch OFF)	• (VSC OFF switch OFF)	• (VSC OFF switch OFF)	• (VSC OFF switch OFF)
   Slip indicator light	◦	◦	◦	◦	◦	◦
   ◦: Light ON •: Light ON (Blinking) -: Light OFF

   • The DTCs are simultaneously stored in the memory. The DTCs can be read by connecting SST between terminals TC and CG of the DLC3 and observing the blinking pattern of the ABS warning and VSC OFF indicator lights, or by connecting the Techstream.
   • This system has a Test Mode (signal check) function (See TEST MODE PROCEDURE  ).

     The DTCs can be read by connecting the Techstream and observing the blinking pattern of the ABS warning and VSC OFF indicator lights.

1. Release the parking brake.
   NOTE: When releasing the parking brake, move the shift lever to P for safety (for automatic transaxle) or set the chocks to hold the vehicle for safety (for manual transaxle).

   HINT:

   When the parking brake is applied or the brake fluid level is low, the brake warning light will come on.

2. When the ignition switch is turned to ON, check that the ABS warning, brake warning, VSC OFF indicator and slip indicator lights come on for approximately 3 seconds.

   HINT:

   If the warning light and indicator light check result is not normal, proceed to troubleshooting for the ABS warning, brake warning, VSC OFF indicator and slip indicator light circuits.

   If the indicator remains on or does not come on, proceed to troubleshooting for the light circuits listed below.

   Fig 2: Identifying ABS And Brake Warning Light Indicator

   Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
   TROUBLESHOOTING REFERENCE CHART
   
   

   Trouble Area	See Procedure
   ABS warning light circuit (Remains on)	ABS WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON
   ABS warning light circuit (Does not come on)	ABS WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON
   Brake warning light circuit (Remains on)	BRAKE WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON
   Brake warning light circuit (Does not come on)	BRAKE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON
   VSC OFF indicator light circuit (Remains on)	VSC OFF INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ON
   VSC OFF indicator light circuit (Does not come on)	VSC OFF INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON
   Slip indicator light circuit (Remains on)	SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ON
   Slip indicator light circuit (Does not come on)	SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON

HINT:

The most difficult case in troubleshooting is when no symptoms occur. In such cases, a thorough customer problem analysis must be carried out. Then the same or similar conditions and environment in which the problem occurred in the customer's vehicle should be reproduced. No matter how experienced or skilled a technician may be, if he/she proceeds to troubleshooting without confirming the problem symptoms, he/she will likely overlook something important and make a wrong guess at some points in the repair operation. This leads to a standstill in troubleshooting.

1. Vibration method: When vibration seems to be the major cause.

   HINT:

   Perform the simulation method only during the primary check period (for approximately 6 seconds after the ignition switch is turned to ON).

   1. Slightly vibrate the part of the sensor considered to be the problem cause with your fingers and check whether the malfunction occurs.
   2. Slightly shake the connector vertically and horizontally.

      HINT:

      Shaking the relays too strongly may result in open relays.

   3. Slightly shake the wire harness vertically and horizontally. The connector joint and fulcrum of the vibration are the major areas to be checked thoroughly.