VSC TRAC / CEL Lights On - New Sequoia Purchase

Hey there folks!
The day after purchasing a "new" 2002 Sequoia SR5 with 265k i was greeted by a CEL. I took it to autozone and had the codes read. The results were several Catalytic Converter related codes (I did not write them down as I was in a hurry and had to pick up my kids). Then, the following day, the VSC TRAC light came on.
I did a little research and have learned this is likely related to some sort of vacuum leak in one of several valve/sensors throughout the vehicle or possibly due to a bad gas tank filler neck. I also read about people driving on the highway and having the vehicle jerk off the road....YIKES.
I do not notice any quality of driving issues and I intend to return to autozone to have the codes read this afternoon.
Any insight into this situation would be greatly appreciated.

 

I'm going to direct you to this thread: https://www.tundras.com/threads/dre...-and-check-engine-lights.155409/#post-3860193
Similar problem.

 

Probably be a good time to get a cheap code reader just to have on you. Welcome from Etown also!

 

With total list of codes, folks will be able to help you better, otherwise shooting in the dark.

 

First off. You REALLY need to read the first two replies of this thread, and evaluate your purchase: https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

Inside that thread, you'll find a SUPER IMPORTANT note about cat codes, specifically, if you search for "P0430" (p zero 4 3 zero).

If you take it to a mechanic before reading up on cat codes in that thread, you're going to spend a lot of money unnecessarily. But the fact you bought this and it's popping codes already tells me the seller probably knew about the codes and cleared them out before selling. Which makes me want you to read that thread so you can check on the other problems (frame rust, timing belt, etc.) which kill these f'n trucks, to make sure you didn't get royally screwed. If your new-to-you vehicle ever lived up north, the frame is potentially shot, and if it is, I'd be marching back and demanding my money.

 

Had the codes checked today and here are the results:
P0430 Cat Bank 2
P0420 Cat Bank 1

Secondary DTCs
P0446 Evap system Vent Control Curcuit
P1126 Magnetic

The dude at auto zone suggested cat cleaner fuel additive and new O2 sensors. Would love to hear thoughts. Thanks!

 

Your problem with first two codes is the weird anemic aftermarket cats.

Cat cleaner is a gimmick and won’t fix incompatible cats.

P1126, IIRC, is a lot of times linked to the throttle body position sensor and/or its harness and/or its pinout.

P0446 we could go on and on about. See the megathtead, I think we out info about it in there.

 

So, @shifty` are you suggesting that the problem is an aftermarket catalytic converter? The car seems to be running just fine. Is there any danger in driving and monitoring the performance? I drove an ‘01 4Runner with a similar collection of dash lights for a year and a half with no issues.

 

Sorry, I may be confusing you with another member.

Someone recently posted a picture of their cats on here recently, on a new-to-them 1st gen, and it clearly had aftermarket cats and was throwing same codes. If that's not you, ignore my last reply.

Two things about these trucks:

• They absolutely fucking hate aftermarket cats; there are only a couple of brands that won't throw codes. Again, more info HERE on brands etc. I cannot urge you enough to suffer through reading the 1st two replies in that thread before you start digging into this vehicle. You're going to get tired of us linking you back to that thread. It tells you just about everything you need to know about your new purchase.
• When they're throwing P0420/P0430 codes, it often has nothing to do with the cats, but some fools who came here looking for help have chosen to ignore us, go spend $800 on new cats, to realize all they needed was a pair of new Denso brand upstream O2 sensors, or it was because someone used non-Denso brand upstream sensors. Again, more info HERE on that exact subject, you can find the info instantly by searching for P0420 there

Exhaust leaks can also cause those codes to pop, specifically at the exhaust manifold, or at the flange between the manifold and cat. Or if there's a hole in the cats, a hole in the exhaust.

But you need to understand something else. Without seeing pics of your cats, pics of your exhaust, pics of your O2 sensors, there isn't a person on this forum who can help answer your questions. We can just sit here and reference what other people have found in the past. But if you have aftermarket cats, and we're telling you to replace your upstream O2/AFR sensors, we're all gonna be disappointed.

So ... ball is in your court. Get us some pics, brother.

 

Pics to come tomorrow! Thanks for your help @shifty`

 

Here are some (admittedly bad) photos of what’s up under there…

 

Those look like original cats to me. And doesn't look like the O2/AFR sensors have been spliced into (that I can see, of what's visible).

With the truck running, if you take a tissue or a cigarette (if you smoke) or a stick of incense (if you have one), or anything else that will jump around when interrupted by puffs of air, and you hover it over the triangular flanges, and around the front/back/top/bottom of the cats, is there any clear sign air is leaking? (i.e. smoke or tissue flutters when around those areas)

Do you have access to a code reader that will show you realtime stats on what the voltage/readings are for the O@/AFR sensors usually in format B1S1, B1S2, B2S1, B2S2? (where B1 = driver side, B2 = passenger, S1 is upstream i.e. before where the cat widens and S2 is downstream, at the back of where the cat tapers off)

I've seen where guys on here have swapped the downstream sensor plugs passenger to driver, and it magically cleared the codes. Like, someone potentially reversed them at some point for some reason.