Toyota RAV4 Check Engine - VSC - 4WD lights On? Screwy warning but simple fix! :-)

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.

Don2222

Minister of Fire
Feb 1, 2010
9,117
Salem NH
Hello
Our 2008 Toyota RAV4 has been very reliable but sometimes these dash warning lights make it tricky to know what to fix?
In this case I blew out the engine air filter and filter box and bingo it went right away as soon as I started the car. When it happened again I replaced the air filter but the lights were still on because the hose attached to the air intake fell off! After reattaching the hose, I had to drive the car around town a bit and then the lights went off!!
Pic 1 - The 3 warning lights Check Eng VSC ( Vehicle Stabilization Control ) and 4WD
Pic 2 & 3 Air filter box & Air cleaner
Pic 4 - New air cleaner VS old air cleaner
Pic 5 & 6 - Hose that fell of air intake ( With this hose off, the car idled rough! )
Pic 6 - new air filter from Car Quest $14.49 for the fix. :) Which maybe just for 2006 - 2008 RAV4s?

Toyota Forum Post on resetting maintenance VSC warning lights
According to this post on a 2011 RAV it was a low battery so it could be different for newer years?
737E393A-7943-4E48-B116-39C4D75C561A.png B2A696C0-1E06-407E-8F26-4B57B52273E9.jpeg 2CDE5AAC-2DD3-464D-88AF-E87AD7877C19.jpeg 1F43921B-1744-44EA-90C4-BA87C12F911E.jpeg 8290145C-D149-4EB1-A944-2C732CE8DE22.jpeg FE4B68BA-25E2-4592-BCF8-A09097DB5563.jpeg 25CE2F3A-A340-4041-80AB-955A6067B0E1.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Hello
Also it is a good idea to clean the MAF
Mass Air Flow sensor!
I just found a good video on it here.
 
I towed a truck a few feet with my 2016 Honda CRV. Just put a pull on the truck to help his spinning tires. That put on the traction light, ABS and AWD. Tried pulling the battery. Can't find any reset options for this.

Anyone have this issue?
 
I towed a truck a few feet with my 2016 Honda CRV. Just put a pull on the truck to help his spinning tires. That put on the traction light, ABS and AWD. Tried pulling the battery. Can't find any reset options for this.

Anyone have this issue?
Did you try these reset steps?
 
Hello
I finally got a chance to clean the MAF sensor. That is the Mass Air Flow sensor with the special cleaner. Those wires in there that sense the air are very thin but after I was don they did look clean and shinny so that should help?
Pic 1 - MAF removed from the car air cleaner intake hose
Pic 2 - Before cleaning
Pic 3 - After cleaning
I also did the side wires as shown in the video link above. They looked good to begin with so I did not post those pics.
C88E5815-5BD2-4F09-B17F-E2E3885DD0A5.jpeg F6902420-8683-4EC3-A740-50CC86C6DC71.jpeg 01A14948-E744-47C1-972B-2EF036F6F2FB.jpeg
 
Last edited:
That's a good tip, thanks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Don2222
the company makes every light turn on so that you have to take it to your dealer so he can scan it. you should see a subaru looks like a christmas tree