Summary
The TRAC OFF light on your Toyota vehicle indicates that the Traction Control system is off. A traction control system also referred to as an ASR, is typically a supplementary function of the electronic stability control on production vehicles and is intended to prevent the loss of traction of the driven road wheels.
Depending on the model of the vehicle you drive, the TRAC OFF light may look different. On the dashboard, you may sometimes see the letters “TRAC OFF.” Alternatively, there might be a picture of a car with lines bending in the opposite direction of the tires.
The reasons why the TRAC off light is coming on are when the TRAC off light is manually turned off, unstable road traction, recently replaced brake, faulty wheel speed sensor, bad steering rack system, bad ECU, faulty ABS, malfunction ABS control module, etc. Learn about Traction Control here!
Now, let’s go deep to explain the what a TRAC off light is, reasons why it comes on, when to turn it off, and how to fix!
Contents
What is TRAC OFF light?
The TRAC OFF light on your Toyota vehicle indicates that the Traction Control system is off. This TRAC system switches the traction control on/off to prevent wheelspin and further downshifting. To turn the TRAC system off, quickly press and release the button. The TRAC OFF indicator should come on. Press the switch again to turn the system back on.
Reasons Why is the TRAC OFF Light Comes on
Here are the most common reasons why your TRAC OFF light is on:
The TRAC off light was manually turned off
You accidentally turning the system off is one of the main reasons the TRAC OFF light came on. The traction system can be activated or deactivated by pressing the button.
The dashboard will let you know when it’s off, so you’ll know it needs to be turned back on. All that’s required to turn it back on is to push the button or switch.
The vehicle stability control frequently deactivates when the traction control system is manually turned off. The VSC light might also be displayed on the dashboard, along with a graphic of a car sliding on the road and the words “OFF.”
Unstable Road Traction
If your car’s traction control light is blinking on the dashboard, you may be driving on a slippery surface, and the vehicle may be skidding. If this is the case, the light won’t turn on permanently until the situation on the road changes.
Snow or ice is the most frequent cause of this condition. However, even a moderate amount of rain might cause reduced traction, which causes a temporary failure.
Brakes Have Been Replaced Recently
If your brakes have recently been replaced, that could be one cause for the TRAC Off light turning on. The Toyota anti-lock braking system (ABS) may not work with the new brakes, which could turn on the warning light.
The traction control system’s sensors are very close to the brakes, so if they are malfunctioning, they may also cause the light to come on.
Faulty Wheel Speed Sensor
A common cause of the TRAC Off light turning on is a problem with the wheel speed sensor. The sensors are found inside each wheel, and they aid the ABS in determining the speed of each wheel’s rotation. The TRAC Off light may turn on if one of the sensors isn’t functioning properly.
Wheel speed sensors in your car provide data to the traction control system and engine control unit. These sensors are in charge of determining the rotational speed of each wheel. The system can receive data that appears to be inaccurate if the sensor malfunctions.
Failure Of The Steering Rack System
Pumping hydraulic fluid into the steering rack allows you to easily turn the wheels while driving. Controlled steering is crucial to maintaining traction. In order for modern steering systems to work properly, a variety of sensors are also used.
You might lose traction control capabilities if the steering rack or any of the sensors, like the steering angle sensor, malfunction. To maintain safety, the traction control system will remain off until the issue is fixed.
ECU Malfunction
The TRAC Off light can also turn on due to a broken ECU. All of the vehicle’s electronic systems are under the control of the ECU. It may cause the light to turn on if it isn’t functioning properly.
ABS Malfunction
Your on-road handling is also greatly influenced by your anti-lock brake. The traction system may also be turned off if the ABS isn’t working properly. The ABS controller may be involved in the issue. But in addition to the ABS system that we previously covered, the wheel speed sensors are also part of it.
Read more:
ABS Control Module Issue
The TRAC Off light may also turn on if the ABS control module is broken. The module is in charge of managing the ABS. It may cause the light to turn on if it isn’t functioning properly.
Computer Malfunction
Modern automobiles are equipped with a variety of computers, each of which performs a unique set of tasks. The traction control system might act up and shut off on its own if there is a computer malfunction.
Typically, a computer error doesn’t only impact one system. This makes it one of the least likely possibilities on the list, but it’s also the one that stands out the most because a number of other symptoms ought to be present at the same time.
Brake Light Switch Issues
Brake light switch issues are another frequent cause of the TRAC Off light coming on. When you press the brake pedal, the brake lights are triggered by the brake light switch, which is situated close to the pedal. The TRAC Off light could turn on if the switch is broken.
Is It Safe To Drive With The TRAC Off Light On?
The traction control feature of your vehicle will not function if the TRAC Off light is on while you are driving. Being unfamiliar with driving without traction control can lead to issues and perhaps major accidents if you are not completely aware of it.
While driving with the traction control light on is usually safe, there are several situations where it is not. Your entire braking system could be impacted if the traction control, anti-lock braking system, and red brake warning lights are illuminated.
When To Turn Off The TRAC System
You might need to turn off TRAC or VSC if your Toyota becomes stuck in mud or snow. When you’re stuck, the systems could reduce the amount of power going from the engine to the wheels, which is not ideal.
It may be easier to rock your car out of the mud or snow if the systems are disabled. You only need to press the TRAC OFF button to turn it off. When the TRAC OFF indicator appears on your dashboard, you will know you were successful. Just press the button once more to turn it back on. Learn the common reasons why ABS light is on here!
How To Fix The TRAC OFF light
It’s easy to fix the problem if you mistakenly turn off the traction control system. To restart the traction control, all you have to do is push the button. In most Toyota vehicles, the TRAC OFF button is often located to the left of the steering wheel. Try pressing the button once again to see if it fixes the issue.
You can turn off the engine and restart it, just like you would with a computer that was acting up. If the traction light stays off, the issue has been fixed on its own, and you don’t need to be worried. If not, you can read DTCs with a scanner.
You should use your scanner to read the diagnostic trouble codes if the other solutions haven’t worked or if there are other dashboard lights. If the Check Engine light and TRAC Off light both illuminate, you must immediately take this action.
You should be able to identify the problem more clearly with the code scanner. Before spending too much time worrying about the Trac Off light, we recommend fixing anything that appears. There is a chance that the solution will fix the traction control system issue.
Reach out to a professional if you’re not sure what the trouble codes mean or if you’re having problems identifying the issue. It’s possible that a more complicated problem is developing that you won’t be able to fix.
Even though hiring a professional will cost more than doing the repair yourself, you can be sure it will be done. You have two options for this diagnosis: either spend a little more to go to your nearby dealership or hire an independent mechanic.
That is all for this article, where I explained what a TRAC off light is, reasons why it comes on, when to turn it off, and how to fix. I hope you learn a lot from the reading. If you do, kindly share it with others. Thanks for reading; see you around!
