HELP! Brake, ABS, VSC, Trac Lights are on! Kinda of long so sorry!
 

Hello there! I need some help with my 08 xB. Long story short I bought this car a year ago and this is the first problem I've had with the car. Back in mid December 2010 my Gauge lights came on for the Brake, VSC, Traction Control, and ABS. I didn't throw a CEL but all my gauge lights would shut off over a short period of time. When the lights are on everything is disabled. I called Elmhurst Scion by me to see if this is a common issue in cold temps or snow cause I live in the Chicagoland area. I was told no but if the lights come back on to bring it in. Well recently they did come back on and I took it in. I was told that my right rear wheel bearing was bad and both rear brake wire harness had to be replaced due to corrosion build up.

Now here is he interesting part. Since I bought the car I've been installed some cosmetic stuff to my xB (ex. spoiler, door sills, etc.) When I had the car in to have the door sills installed back in November 2010 I asked them to inspect the car cause the warranty was up in December. So to find out that there was these issues I was not too pleased. They wanted $851.00 to fix everything, and they won't do it under warranty even though I asked for everything to be inspected a few weeks earlier when the car was covered. After talking to the service manager/director at the services department they said they won't help me out with the cost due to the fact the warranty just expired, I am the second owner, and the car wasn't bought there original. I called out bull____ on them due to the fact the car didn't even have 28k on it, that I asked for them to inspect the car before the warranty expired, and I guess there is a difference if you bring a car to them to install something rather than repair. Either way I was spending my money for a service from them.

So after a few phone calls to the dealer and Toyota/Scion Headquarters of America I was told there isn't anything they could do to help, no goodwill towards parts or service knowing that their products warranty just expired and I am having problems with this car. That maybe in the future they will address these issues but just not at this time. So I am left paying for the repairs.

So I was wondering if anyone here has had a problem with corrosion build up and a bad bearings on their xB's? Also I am not convinced the bearing is bad cause there isn't any odd noises or rubbing coming from the car while in motion that would give you the signs of a bad wheel bearing. I just feel that a car that is 3 years old, with 28k on it should be having issues with corrosion already and be bearings. Even with extreme conditions parts should be able to handle the elements better. Now the previous owner and I have babied this car, its garage kept and like I said before, this is the first issue I have had. Could be the last, but I hope some of the members could help me with this.

Thoughts and Thank you!

*Moved to Correct Forum by Administrator

Sticky Where to Post Your Question

The same thing happened to me and when I took it to the dealer, they said it was my Mass Airflow Sensor because of my weapon R intake. They restarted the computer but, about 100 miles later, it came back up. I sold the I take and when I put the stock intake back on, it never came back on. It's been about 7,000 miles since then and still no more lights.

Now that is very interesting. I don't have the stock air intake box. I do have a short ram weapon r intake on it now. So would the whole aftermarket intake throw the code to cause those lights to go on? Before I do anything like replace parts, I was thinking about getting under the car and using electrical cleaner on all the plugs connected to the rear brakes. Cause the dealer said it was corrosion on the wire harness that was causing the gauges to go off. If it is the intake, then I wonder if the TRD cold air intake would cause the same problem....

That's what I'm going for now. I just need some cash. I'm trying to sell some wheels to put an intake back on my car. I want the TRD because I have yet to hear of any problem with it.

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/sho...8+main+harness

^^^ you may wanna check that thread out?

afterlifespecialist, I did see that thread and I don't think its the cause of my problems cause I checked the service report and it said that both left and right rear harness needs to be replaced due to corrosion build up. I would go to another dealer if I wasn't already charged $100 for them to diagnose the problem.

No harm in trying to fix it yourself if they want to trash it.

Disconnect the battery. That will solve the problem..... For about 100 miles 8)

Yeah that's what I am going to do, first try cleaning up the wires that connect to the hub. I have a buddy that works in a parts department at a Toyota dealer in the city and gave me some info. I guess there is a Service Bulletin about this issue, and he told me before I start replacing parts it couldn't hurt to try to clean up the wire harness. I've also disconnected the battery for 15+ minutes and it did nothing, but the lights will turn off for a few days, and then come back on.

Its a known problem with 08 models. The engine wire harness was updated for 2009, I'd call Scion corporate and see if they'll fix "in good faith" since you're just out of warranty. If they wont, buy a used 09+ wire harness to fix the issue. Luckily mine failed before my bumper to bumper warranty expired...

I have a 2009 and it happened to me...

Built in Japan with parts made in China...:tap:

This happen to me as well I have a '11 I took it to the dealership and they ended up changing out the pedal position sensor connector.

Mine just started today... ugh.

So what are the steps to correct this? What to clean, etc...

I tried unplugging the battery (as well as removed my HID system, in case I take to the dealer I don't want any blame on that), even though my warranty is up at 50,000 already...

Anyway, this is making me so angry. I need to know what I can do to try and get rid of these lights. Car worked perfectly fine yesterday, and today I have this issue.

The battery thing did nothing for me, the came right back on :(

I am really scared of the damage the dealer will cost me...

Yeah the dealer gave me a hard time they told me it the damage to that connector they replaced was done when I ran my power cable for my amp which is no where near that connector I had to go over there and argue with them for a good while before they agreed to fix it under warranty.

Well I just went to go drive to Autozone to get the codes pulled (after checking my gas-cap, as I read in other topics this could cause it)... Halfway up my street they all shut off. I tried restarting the car and they stayed off.

So I will hope they never come back and it was something stupid (like the gas cap)... But when it gets a bit warmer I will try cleaning all the speed sensor wire harnesses as well.

So we shall see.

Well thats good to hear!

Yeah, I just REALLY hope that they stay off. I can't afford the rumored $900 for a harness repair.

I had the issue with the brake, abs, vsc and trac lights being on as well. It is a problem with a wheel speed sensor or the harness for the wheel speed sensor. In my case I was pulling out of a ice crusted parking place and a chunk of ice broke the connector between the harness and the sensor. The reason it is so expensive to fix is Toyota does not make the sensor as a separate part it only comes embedded in the rear hub. I also had to replace the wheel speed sensor sub harness. Until I was able to scrounge the money for the repair I separated the connector cleaned the contacts and dried them off then wrapped the connector in electrical tape. That kept it working until I had it replaced. Since you did not say anything about connector damage I would try cleaning the contacts. I do not know if it is possible to get to the face of the sensor in the hub to clean it.

As long as the CEL is not on with the brake, abs, vsc and trac lights then it is not the main harness.