Although Toyota Camry’s are reliable vehicles, there are various traction control problems commonly associated with them. If you own a Toyota Camry or are interested in purchasing one, then staying informed about common traction control problems can help you understand this vehicle better.
A common problem with Toyota Camry’s traction control system is a faulty wheel speed sensor. This sensor monitors the speed of each wheel and communicates with the traction control system. If it malfunctions, the system may not work correctly. The solution involves diagnosing the sensor using an OBD-II scanner, identifying the faulty one, and replacing it.
An additional issue that can affect the Toyota Camry’s traction control system is a problem with the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. ESC assists in maintaining vehicle control during difficult driving conditions and is integrated with the traction control system.
A malfunction in the ESC system can lead to traction control problems. Addressing this issue usually involves a diagnostic check to identify and rectify any faults within the ESC system, ensuring it communicates effectively with the traction control system.
Lastly, a weak or failing car battery can also impact the Toyota Camry’s traction control system. The traction control system relies on consistent electrical power to function correctly. A weak battery may not provide enough power, leading to intermittent or faulty operation of the system.
Replacing the old battery with a new one, ensuring it has the correct specifications, can resolve these traction control issues by providing a stable power supply to the system’s components.
Toyota Camrys sometimes experience traction control problems, but there are simple solutions to many of these problems. If you are experiencing any traction control (TC) issues in your Toyota Camry or issues related to the TCS, this article will help you identify and manage the problems.
Toyota Camry Traction Control Problems
Even though TCS appears as the main problem, it may not be. It may be affected by another closely related system in your Camry. Other systems or problems could be caused by:
- The ABS (anti-lock braking system) could be the problem. These two systems often share the same control module, and the diagnostics computer may return the same code for one or the other. However, in this case, both ABS and TCS/OFF lights should be illuminated.
- You may have a broken sensor. Sensors that detect wheel speed are usually in the wheel bearing assembly and relay information about wheel speed to the computer. If any one of these sensors is broken or faulty, it may affect the traction control display.
- The traction control module may be faulty or damaged. If this is the case, you will need to obtain the diagnostic code and talk to a certified mechanic.
Keep reading to learn more about each of these traction control problems you may encounter.
How to Turn Traction Control On/Off Toyota Camry
The Traction Control system can be toggled on and off by the driver using a toggle switch located on the dashboard.
The toggle switches are usually located to the right of the driver and above the gear shifter in the center console.
Toyota Camry Traction Control Light Stays On
If the Traction Control Light is still on after you toggle the switch to the “OFF” position, there are several reasons this could be happening. There are three problems that are most commonly associated with the TCS not turning off:
- Either the TCS is not disengaging
- It is off, but the light is malfunctioning
- Or there is a problem with the TCS itself
Most commonly, drivers will notice that the traction control light on either the dashboard or the gauge display will read “TRAC/OFF” and cannot be toggled to the “TRAC/ON” mode. This means that the traction control is off and will not be working while the car is moving.
Camry owners’ second most common problem is that they cannot turn the traction control off despite pressing the toggle button. The TCS button should be located on the instrument panel or very near the center console.
The third most common problem is the traction control being on but not providing traction or not functioning adequately. If this is the case, you may not notice right away or in certain driving conditions, but it will make driving said conditions more difficult.
Check Engine Light and Traction Control Light on Toyota Camry
The Check Engine Light is another indicator light that occasionally remains illuminated. Sometimes one issue can be at fault for both lights. If you have tried using the manual switch to turn the traction control system “ON” and it is not working, follow these progressive steps to try and fix the issue.
How to Turn Off Traction Control Light Toyota Camry
There are a few steps involved when turning off the traction control light for a Toyota Camry.
- Turn the car on and wait a few minutes. This may reset the detections system and turn the traction control back on.
- Drive the car for a few miles and see if the system turns itself back on.
- After driving for a few miles, if the traction control is still off, park the car and turn the engine off.
- After a few minutes, restart the engine and check if the system has reset.
If none of these steps have worked, move to the next step.
Perform a Reset of the Onboard Computer
This sounds more intimidating than it really is, and does not involve a major change to your Camry’s systems. This reset will simply power off the system and allow the computer to re-establish a connection once the power is back on.
- First, make sure the car is parked and the engine is off.
- Next, open the hood of your car and locate the main battery.
- Locate the two battery terminals, which should be connected to red and black cables
- With your feet flat on the ground, carefully disconnect the negative (black) terminal, then the positive (red) terminal
- After about ten seconds, reconnect the terminals in reverse order (red then black)
This should reset the onboard computer, and, upon start-up, the system will check the traction control and should then turn it back on or reset the manual toggle so that you can switch back and forth between On and Off.
Check the Diagnostics Codes
Not to worry, there are other solutions you can try. The reset often only reestablishes the computer’s connection with the diagnostic control and clears malfunctions. But if the problem persists, then it is time to check the diagnostics codes.
This process requires you purchase a special, though affordable, tool to check the diagnostics codes on your Camry. You will need:
- An OBD2 Code Reader tool
- Depending on the tool you have purchased, you will also need the corresponding app
After you have purchased these tools, you can move on to the next step.
- Locate the OBD Port in your Toyota Camry (It should be under the dash on the driver’s side, or within the housing of the steering column)
- Plug your OBD2 device into the port and follow the instructions that came with your particular device
- Once the device returns diagnostic codes to you, record them and disconnect the device
Diagnostic Codes are codes the onboard computer generates to indicate what kind of problem it has detected. You may get several codes back, but we will only be focussing on the codes related to the Traction Control.
Common codes related to traction control problems are:
- P1630 is a code that tells you that there is a problem with the traction control system and that it is not a display problem
- Other codes that begin with P may be related, but require more expert maintenance of the vehicle
If the code indicates that the traction control is the problem, then this is not a display or indicator light issue.
It is also possible in many models of Camry to use the internal diagnostic code reader. This will require that you consult the User’s Manual and locate the device under the car’s hood. But this method, though a little more complicated, does not require you to purchase any equipment. It is all in the car already.
Note that this process is only possible in older models of Camry and is much more complicated. Many auto parts stores will connect an OBD2 device to your car and read the codes for free if you ask, and that will end up being much more convenient and time-saving.
Other Solutions
If you have completed all other steps to try and reset the ABS, TCS, or other related systems, and you have checked the diagnostic codes to find out if sensors are malfunctioning or damaged, you will have to determine what steps to take on the information you have.
If there is a problem with the sensors associated with the TCS, ABS, or wheel assemblies, you will likely have to take the car in to be serviced by a certified technician. This should be covered under most extended warranties.
However, if you have a warranty, or you simply want to try and purchase and install appropriate equipment yourself, there is a diverse and informative community of online support available on the Toyota website, and the car’s user manual provides useful information for such projects as well.
Copyright protected article by Know My Auto and was first published on Aug 6, 2021. .
Not only this, but the external online community is extremely helpful in these cases. Do It Yourself projects can be intimidating and expensive if you have little experience or if you do not have enough support, so make sure you utilize as much of the community as possible.
Toyota Camry ABS and Traction Control Light On
If you find that both the Traction Control Light and the ABS lights are illuminated, this may indicate a few problems that are not immediately apparent. Drivers who have performed a code diagnostic have found that the wheel speed sensor is malfunctioning.
If the wheel speed sensor is malfunctioning, you can inspect the sensors themselves by removing the wheels of your vehicle and disassembling the sensor assembly to access the sensor itself. They can be replaced relatively quickly from there, and this should solve that problem.
This is only recommended if the diagnostic device has indicated the diagnostic code for this particular issue. Otherwise, a simpler solution may be necessary. In some cases, these lights will illuminate simultaneously because of brake fluid imbalance.
In older models, the brake fluid sensors are very sensitive to level changes and indicate to the onboard computer that there is an ABS or TCS problem if the vehicle is placed on a steep enough incline for the fluid to accumulate toward one end of the sensor assembly.
The copyright owner of this article is Knowmyauto.com and was first published on Aug 6, 2021..
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KnowMyAuto is the sole owner of this article was published on Aug 6, 2021 and last updated on .