Change Plugs And Wires, Now Trac Light On!?

david1walker · September 22, 2011

Guys, I can't seem to find a thread that explains what just happened.

Just did plugs, wires, and valve cover gaskets on my 95 LS. Straight forward job, and the battery was disconnected for probably a week while I got everything buttoned up. Well, I just finished, started it up, and it sounds as whisper quiet as it did when it was new! Drives like a million bucks...HOWEVER, my TRAC light is flashing on the dash now, and it won't stop. I'm not sure what this could be, as it has NEVER flashed in 16 years (except for of course when it's in slippery conditions). It just flashes as it is idling.

Any suggestions as to what this could be, and how in the heck it's related to doing plugs/wires/valve cover gaskets? It was off 1 week ago when the battery was disconnected and the project got started....

Help!

David

billydpowell · September 23, 2011

just remove neg batt cable count to 15 and replace, if it stays off, it is done, if it comes back on go to Autozone and have them read the code for you, and report back.

david1walker · September 23, 2011

will, do Billy!

jaswood · September 23, 2011

Guys, I can't seem to find a thread that explains what just happened.

Just did plugs, wires, and valve cover gaskets on my 95 LS. Straight forward job, and the battery was disconnected for probably a week while I got everything buttoned up. Well, I just finished, started it up, and it sounds as whisper quiet as it did when it was new! Drives like a million bucks...HOWEVER, my TRAC light is flashing on the dash now, and it won't stop. I'm not sure what this could be, as it has NEVER flashed in 16 years (except for of course when it's in slippery conditions). It just flashes as it is idling.

Any suggestions as to what this could be, and how in the heck it's related to doing plugs/wires/valve cover gaskets? It was off 1 week ago when the battery was disconnected and the project got started....

Help!

David

"..It just flashes as it is idling.."

ONLY at idle...?

Then your battery voltage is too low during idle, probably as a result of weak or failing alternator/regulator.

Did you clean/burnish the battery posts/connections before reconnecting..?

david1walker · September 23, 2011

it actually is flashing as it's idling as well as when i'm driving. It has never come on before since the car was new, until i did my plugs, plug wires, and valve cover gaskets. What could I have done that has anything to do with the traction control?

billydpowell · September 23, 2011

nothing......... this thing comes on for several reasons. ..even unequal tire pressure.

I have read several threads about TPS, Crank shaft position sensor, loose gas caps, and several about bad batterys.... do you have a car you can borrow a battery out of and try it?

check this: I replaced the gas cap for $13, and that took care of the TRAC OFF warning light issue

Edited September 23, 2011 by billydpowell

david1walker · September 23, 2011

i will check the battery, as well as gas cap possibilities. I went to Autozone, and their OBDII tester didn't find any codes....but I'm not sure that the Lexus dealership wouldn't have a better piece of equipment. I'm even more puzzled than ever at this point!

landar · September 23, 2011

The most likely culprit is a loose connection somewhere that was disturbed when you performed the tune-up. Recheck ALL connections in the vicinity of your work.