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So I got help replacing my air filter on our 2004 LS430. There is a plug on the housing with 2 tiny wires and was accidentally broken off. (see attached picture) Car seemed fine. 3 weeks later on comes the Check VSC, check engine, and Trac Off lights. Same lights 1 year ago and it took replacing both o2 sensors to fix. First, what is this sensor for and do I need to have it fixed? I'm swapping out things like gas cap, PCV, etc. hoping to get the lights to stay off once I clear the codes but they came back on after the gas cap
swap. Could it be the broken wire and best way to fix is to order a new plug?? Help!
Jim in Chicago
To answer the second question first, yes. Splice a new plug in and it should be fine. I've seen that little pump on the backside of the air filter box when I was in there myself, but I'll have to research exactly what it is. I'm assuming it's part of the emissions system.. RKW should have an answer within a few minutes....
I'll take a quick look through the manuals myself..
As far as a replacement plug, you may have to hit up a junk yard, either locally or on line..
That link was a great read! I'm going to find a new plug here in Chicago, put it in and clear the codes with my $14.95 code reader from Amazon. But I just found out that the PCV on this car with 257k miles is the original so maybe that caused these codes? But it seems from what I've read that the broken wire could be the cause of all 3 lights b/c its part of the evap system, right?
Found it...
Item V3 on the schematic.. Perhaps RKW can verify..
VSV Canister closed valve..
I believe you're right, 2KHarrier!
Here's a sketch on where this VSV is located, and part number for the connector. It is available on Amazon.com as a connector w/pigtail or a repair kit, for about $15.
That was the one thing I didn't have time for before I headed home from work today, was to find the connector for him.... I figured it would be on Amazon.... Everything else is!
If I recall, I had a similar issue on my Maxima but when it was only 5 y.o., P1440 and P0440. I was definitely less adventurous back then and recall resetting the ECU over and over by turning a screw cuz I didn't own a OBDII, and when that didn't work any longer, I tried to clean the valve per the forum, to no avail. My car began to start "harder" and I paid the dealer over $300 to replace the valve. It did not affect anything other than the car started harder prior to replacement (I take it the problem was worsening)...any codes? It seems that for our cars the VSC etc. is a generic fault code at the dash. Does anyone know why...meaning what does stability and traction have to do with common faults....odd thing is the dealer replaced at 5, and 15 yrs. later, no issues with it ever again..
It seems that for our cars the VSC etc. is a generic fault code at the dash. Does anyone know why...meaning what does stability and traction have to do with common faults.
When the ECU senses a problem,, the car (even at 17 years of age!) is smart enough to inhibit Traction Control and Vehicle Stability, to trigger enough warning to get your attention, and slow the car down. It's not a "Limp Home Mode" per say, but it won't drive within normal parameters when there are certain faults detected.
I'd have to research it, but I would assume there are finite number of faults that will trigger the VSC/Check engine combination, and obviously many that don't (less problematic)