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Why are the engine light and trac off light both illuminated in the Toyota Tacoma?

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23 answers

★ Top Answer
Susan G

If your Toyota Tacoma's engine light and Trac off light are illuminated, it could be due to a loose gas cap, which is a frequently reported issue by many owners. Some have experienced the problem recurring after refueling. The rubber connecting the neck to the gas tank may need replacement, as this appears to be a common occurrence. To reset the system, you can disconnect the positive (red) battery cable for around 3 minutes. Alternatively, a faulty sensor could be the culprit. One owner mentioned experiencing this issue after brake work, so it's advisable to ensure that the main lead of the traction control light at the wheel is intact and undamaged.

More answers

  • Shena B.

    I just ran into an issue with my 2017 sports car. It was sitting idle for around 2 months and I had to jump-start it. I brought it to Autozone for a diagnosis, and they found that the Crankshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The sensor part they had was priced at nearly $400. After checking the battery, which they said also needed to be replaced, I installed a new one for $175. Surprisingly, the warning lights reset on their own afterwards.

  • Angela T.

    It is a typical occurrence for the traction control light to illuminate along with the check engine light. If you address the issue causing the check engine light to come on, the traction control light should also reset.

  • Bruno F

    By removing the positive terminal from the battery, I was able to fix the issue of the engine and traction control lights being on in my 2014 Toyota Tacoma. Thank you, Tina S.

  • Nathan D.

    Toyota should recall all the vehicles affected by this issue and provide a solution. The problem is becoming widespread among consumers, not just isolated incidents. We should report this to consumer protection agencies.

  • Caroline Q.

    My 2014 Toyota Corolla, which has low mileage, is experiencing a recurring issue despite our efforts to fix it. We have purchased new gas caps, including one directly from Toyota, and replaced various components related to the fuel system as per my husband's expertise. However, the warning lights reappear within approximately a day and a half.

  • Alice W

    If you see the Trac light and engine light turn on, it could be due to an issue with the opposite side of the gas tank. This side of the tank has a vacuum hose that connects to both the top of the tank and the gas input nozzle. Ensure that this vacuum hose is connected correctly and consider replacing it if necessary.

  • Bryan M.

    I encountered a problem on my way home from work where my truck was only able to reach speeds of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour. I had to pull over to allow other vehicles to pass me. I tried disconnecting the positive terminal of the battery for a few minutes and then reconnecting it, which ended up fixing the issue and resetting the computer. After doing this, the traction and engine lights turned off, and the Tacoma operated perfectly.

  • Casey F

    In 2017, I got a new locking gas cap for my Toyota Tacoma after facing a similar problem with my 2011 FJ Cruiser. A couple of days later, I noticed that the engine light and Trac off light were on when I went to refuel the Tacoma. I'll attempt to fix the issue by checking the positive battery cable.

  • SSESANGA

    Unhooking and reattaching the negative battery terminal did the trick for my 2014 Tacoma too. Appreciate it, Tina, for sparing me a visit to the car shop.

  • Steve Fleming

    The gas cap wasn't sealing properly because there was some dirt on the gasket. So, I quickly cleaned the gasket with alcohol for 2 minutes while I disconnected the battery for 3 minutes. After doing this, the warning lights disappeared.

  • Carla J

    It also mentioned that things could get pretty heated if we run out of gas.

  • Valweld

    I'll give the battery trick a shot... I never seem to have that kind of luck, haha.

  • Amanda N.

    Hello! I fixed both the gas cap and the positive battery terminal, and it did the trick! I'm absolutely thrilled and over the moon about it! I reside about an hour and a half away from the closest auto shop, so this saved me a lot of time, maybe even a few days! You all are amazing!!

  • Binh W

    I purchased a brand new fuel cap with a lock from Amazon. Shortly after, the Trac off and check engine warning lights turned on. I'm planning to disconnect and reconnect the battery cable to see if that helps reset the lights.

  • Jimi69

    Here's a unique paraphrase of the text: "The traction and engine warning lights are illuminated. I disconnected the positive battery cable for half an hour, but the lights persisted upon reconnecting. The engine ran slightly rough initially but eventually smoothed out, idling properly. I added fuel conditioner and gas line antifreeze to tackle the possibility of bad fuel. Any additional suggestions?

  • Barry K.

    Absolutely right. I replaced the original gas cap with an aftermarket locking one, and a few weeks later the traction control and check engine lights turned on. I couldn't understand why until I realized it was the gas cap causing the issue. I switched back to the original cap, and the problem was resolved. Strange, isn't it?

  • Jasmyne

    In 2017, my car, which currently has 23,500 miles, had a problem four months ago when the engine light and traction control light turned on. I tried disconnecting the positive terminal with no success, then the negative terminal with no luck either, and even disconnected both with no improvement. I had to replace two Toyota batteries already, there's a lot of noise from underneath the car, especially when going over speed bumps. I ran out of 1234yf Refrigerant with less than 22,000 miles on the car, and the blower relay burned out twice.

  • Stephanie H.

    I removed the battery from the positive side, and it seems to be working fine today. I'll have to wait and see how it performs tomorrow.

  • Leatha J

    Refer to the information mentioned earlier.

  • Toryn

    I removed the positive cable for 5 minutes, and that fixed the issue. Usually, I use premium gas, but this time I used mid-grade. I'll make sure to monitor this more closely in the future.

  • sam petilon

    Here is a paraphrased and revised version: I followed your advice to disconnect the positive terminal, and now the tracking is turned off and the engine is running smoothly.

  • Francoharris

    I encountered a similar problem. Since I work on engines, I decided to inspect my spark plugs first. I noticed that one was slightly damp from when I cleaned my engine. After blowing out the water from the socket and coil, I replaced all six spark plugs, and now my truck is running smoothly again.

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