2001 VX 3.4 Litre auto Questions

[minh Member Find all posts View Profile Close minh]

Just bought my second prado.
Wife has a GXL 120 series.

I bought myself the 95 series.

Just have few simple questions.

I notice on the VX its different to the other 95 series.

- How come I only have H, N, L as some others have H, HL, N , LL?
- My "2nd" button doesnt stay pressed in when I press it. Is the switch broken or should something light up on the dash?
- When should I be using the Active TRC? as I have a button for that too.
- My sub tank gauge only goes up to half when it is full. I have changed the sender unit to a new item and it does the same. Can the gauge itself be faulty?
- I got the lovely Dash rattle. I read up on some links doing a search. Is there plent of room inside the dash to mount the brackets?
Thankyou in advance guys.

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Re: 2001 VX 3.4 Litre auto Questions

Just bought my second prado.
Wife has a GXL 120 series.

I bought myself the 95 series.

Just have few simple questions.

I notice on the VX its different to the other 95 series.

- How come I only have H, N, L as some others have H, HL, N , LL?
- My "2nd" button doesnt stay pressed in when I press it. Is the switch broken or should something light up on the dash?
- When should I be using the Active TRC? as I have a button for that too.
- My sub tank gauge only goes up to half when it is full. I have changed the sender unit to a new item and it does the same. Can the gauge itself be faulty?
- I got the lovely Dash rattle. I read up on some links doing a search. Is there plent of room inside the dash to mount the brackets?
Thankyou in advance guys.

Congratrz on the purchase... I think :? Hopefully you'll get the issues sorted out soon enough.

The only thing I can comment on is the 2nd start.
Unless it's changed from my 98 model the button should stay down and a green '2nd Start' should show up on the dash.

[minh Member Find all posts View Profile Close minh]

Re: 2001 VX 3.4 Litre auto Questions

Definately a good buy.
I love the car. Something about 4wd and the freedom you have with them. Took both to Stockton beach Easter long weekend and had the best times of our lives. Toyota 4wd and this beautiful country just compliments each other.


I fixed the dash rattle this arvo. Seems tight as. Obviously will know when I drive to work tomorrow.

I assume Active TRC is traction control? Now its certainly not used like the powerful sports car traction control.

Is it used only for off road somehow?

[rats666 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rats666]

Re: 2001 VX 3.4 Litre auto Questions

you got in one mate,

TRC is only used for slippery surfaces... offroad, sand mud, snow and loose rocks etc and will only keep the vehicle on the road if you "dont over do it" :shock: as it senses wheel spin on all 4 wheels and the controls it by re-applying the brakes and power as needed to each wheel... however on slippery roads if you over cook a corner and loose traction on all 4... ops: it aint going to help you..

The Sec Start button should stay down and an indication on the dash should say "sec start", your PWR light (if on) should come off and car should not go into low gear automatically when stopped i.e. car will takeoff in 2nd and go up to drive from there (automatically).

The
L-H-N gearshift was put in for the 4x4 systems that have the (VSC) vehicle stability control, all the lever does is lock your centre differential for 4wd in low, when locked the VSC is turned off to allow your wheels to free spin without the engine trying to tell the wheels what to do. When in H, the diff is unlocked and the VSC can be re engaged.

as for the sub tank, sounds like a voltage problem or guage, if you have a spare guage.. or a mate who's willing to pull theirs out for a quick test (swap over), i would try that if it still reads low, see an auto electrician as mentioned, the wiring may be the fault.

owners manual has all details on transmission issues, if you have one.. hope this helps, and get out and have fun

[Leethal Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Leethal]

Re: 2001 VX 3.4 Litre auto Questions

The
L-H-N gearshift was put in for the 4x4 systems that have the (VSC) vehicle stability control, all the lever does is lock your centre differential for 4wd in low, when locked the VSC is turned off to allow your wheels to free spin without the engine trying to tell the wheels what to do. When in H, the diff is unlocked and the VSC can be re engaged.

With my '02 VX the TRC continues to work when in low range (L) Locking the center diff is done electrically by the Diff Lock button on the right of the dash. Even when I lock the center diff the traction control continues to work. Its very obvious when it does, besides the little flash dash symbols frantically blinking you can hear the brake actuator working as mine doesn't have a mastervac (brake booster) but a electronic brake system that "boosts" pedal pressure and when needed works the traction control (brakes).

Clear as mud, hey ..... :roll: My Prado is a V6 and as such doesn't have "Vehicle Stability Control" and would appear to have a better overall system in my opinion since the traction control is always active, not as good as a set of diff locks but better than open diffs.

Lee

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Re: 2001 VX 3.4 Litre auto Questions

Not quite right, you quoted as below.............
""""The
L-H-N gearshift was put in for the 4x4 systems that have the (VSC) vehicle stability control, all the lever does is lock your centre differential for 4wd in low, when locked the VSC is turned off to allow your wheels to free spin without the engine trying to tell the wheels what to do. When in H, the diff is unlocked and the VSC can be re engaged."""

The difference is in a series one prado you have 4H 4HL N 4L,,,,,,, 4H is in the normal position for everyday driving, 4HL locks it 50/50 front and back,snow sand etc slippery conditions,4L is low range still 50/50, N is for neutral
In a series 2 prado you have 4H N 4L, you lock the center diff lock by pushing the button over on the drivers side of the dash near the air vent, this will lock it 50/50. If you have traction control it doesnt matter wether you are in low range or high range you CANNOT turn it off, its on permantly. If you have traction control and stability control (2 different things) when you push the centre diff lock button on the right of the dash it will deactivate stabilty control but WILLNOT deactivate traction control, as said above you CANNOT turn the traction control off and the stability will turn off as soon as you hit the centre diff lock button, a light will appear on dash telling you stability is off. You can also use low range without locking centre diff where you couldn't in a series one, very handy if reversing trailer up some thing very steep just whack it in low range or if say pulling a large boat from a boat ramp. I wouldnt do it over a long period without locking, could cause damage. Yes I have had both series one and series 2 prado, first one series one VX Grande, now have 01 series 2 Grande both 95 series. Regards Steve M

you got in one mate,

TRC is only used for slippery surfaces... offroad, sand mud, snow and loose rocks etc and will only keep the vehicle on the road if you "dont over do it" :shock: as it senses wheel spin on all 4 wheels and the controls it by re-applying the brakes and power as needed to each wheel... however on slippery roads if you over cook a corner and loose traction on all 4... ops: it aint going to help you..

The Sec Start button should stay down and an indication on the dash should say "sec start", your PWR light (if on) should come off and car should not go into low gear automatically when stopped i.e. car will takeoff in 2nd and go up to drive from there (automatically).

The
L-H-N gearshift was put in for the 4x4 systems that have the (VSC) vehicle stability control, all the lever does is lock your centre differential for 4wd in low, when locked the VSC is turned off to allow your wheels to free spin without the engine trying to tell the wheels what to do. When in H, the diff is unlocked and the VSC can be re engaged.

as for the sub tank, sounds like a voltage problem or guage, if you have a spare guage.. or a mate who's willing to pull theirs out for a quick test (swap over), i would try that if it still reads low, see an auto electrician as mentioned, the wiring may be the fault.

owners manual has all details on transmission issues, if you have one.. hope this helps, and get out and have fun

[minh Member Find all posts View Profile Close minh]

Re: 2001 VX 3.4 Litre auto Questions

Steve

Cheers mate. I do like the idea of having low gear without lock for the reasons mentioned.

[VXG Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close VXG]

Re: 2001 VX 3.4 Litre auto Questions

Hi

I have a 1999 series 1 VX Grande. Out of interest, what advantage is there by engaging low range without locking the diff (is that what you meant, or was it the torque converter)? as you described above for the series II Prados?....is it because it won't wind up the transfer case if it gets too much grip on bitumen i.e. towing a trailer or boat on a ramp etc? I would have thought if you have it in low range you want it locked and giving you the best traction possible etc.
I'm a bit confused. Cheers
VXG

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Re: 2001 VX 3.4 Litre auto Questions

Just gives you that torque lower down for reversing, to be honest never thought of wind up ?? Im only talking very short distance few metres, just helps the transmission out. Bit like climbing some thing you wack in low range to give you the torque same with reversing or pulling a trailer. dont forget its AWD so shouldnt get any wheel spin anyway. Series one you have no choice but to lock it when you go in low range where as with series two you can move the transfer lever to low which will still give you low range but your just not locking front and back 50/50. Good question you ask but about wind up if not locking it. Will have to find out more about that. Regards Steve M

Hi

I have a 1999 series 1 VX Grande. Out of interest, what advantage is there by engaging low range without locking the diff (is that what you meant, or was it the torque converter)? as you described above for the series II Prados?....is it because it won't wind up the transfer case if it gets too much grip on bitumen i.e. towing a trailer or boat on a ramp etc? I would have thought if you have it in low range you want it locked and giving you the best traction possible etc.
I'm a bit confused. Cheers
VXG