PCS System Malfunction, Dealer says radar needs to be replaced

Oh man where do I start. First off I read a dozen of different forum posts by now with this same issue and none of them have the solution I'm looking for. The problem started about a month ago. At first the only light that was on was the bottom lower cluster "OFF" with the car symbol. I left it alone as everything was working, then a week ago the triangle and the message started popping up on the cluster. I took it to a dealer and after 2 days they basically said I need to replace the radar and the bracket to get this fixed.

I installed after market headlights about a year ago and have a small spacer lift on 285s (been like that for 2 years) and just randomly stopped working. Dealer says the bracket is bent which is what caused this whole thing (so not warranty?). $1,200 to replace both.

The Dealer attempted to recalibrate and disable the radar to no avail. After I got the car back it seems that disabling the system "kind of sort of worked". At first start the dash says "PCS OFF" (no lights on cluster) but as soon as I start driving all the lights a nd the malfunction message pop on. All other features like adaptive cruise and LDA work.

My question is: is there any way to clear the message from the cluster as I'm driving? I can hit the "back" button but the message pops right back on and just sits there (what's the point of even giving me an option to back out of it). I can deal with the illuminated lights on the cluster but the message drives me insane. I'm having a hard time believing the dealer can't help me with this.

 

sorry to rain on your parade:
you changed electrical components and modified the vehicle structure.
your safest bet is to go back stock and see how it behaves
i heard about issues like yours when you mess with the car, but i never heard about issues on stock 100%
my money is on the headlights. if height was a problem, it would be more consistent

 

Like I said, it's been 6 to 8 months since I replaced the headlights. Plus I don't see how headlights would cause the radar to act up. They're not in any way tied into. If it was truly an electrical problem it would have started happening right after installing them? Plenty of people on here install after market headlights

 

Like i said, I heard of these issues with something changed, being structural or electronics, but never on stock. This system is used all across the lineup, not just the 4R.
Very easy for you, install back the headlights and drive for a week.
Aftermarket? not sure about testing, especially long term testing. Temperatures are changing (that can affect the way it works), components getting older, resistance increasing, introducing noise in the system....possibilities are endless when it comes to electronic gremlins.
I am honestly surprised the dealer is willing to help you and I am ready to bet you will be back to square one after a new radar replacement.

 

Exactly why I don't want to spend money on a new radar, but the dealer did say the bracket is bent, so much so that he thinks its been hit (it hasn't). Either way going back to my original question, is there a way to clear the message while I'm driving? I could care less for the PCS system since cruise control still works

 

probably not

 

Not sure what bracket is being discussed, but is it something you can get and replace yourself? If it's not too expensive, what have you got to lose by trying? Maybe you can even remove it and 'straighten' it yourself. There may be no way to disable a safety-oriented message like that.

 

The bracket that the radar mounts to, i assume that's what they're talking about. I took it all with a grain of salt because the advisor honestly didn't sound sure about anything. This might be my next thing to try next week when i get back from camping.

As a side note, I do remember love tapping the front end with my 3rd gen when I was reversing it (more specifically wit the rear bumper spare tire carrier). But when I say love tapping it, I mean really love tapping it. Hard to believe that would bent a metal bracket. There wasn't even marks on the grill.

 

This smells more like the dealer either wants you to go away, or be allowed to spend your money to throw parts at it hoping to fix the problem.

 

Especially since at first he told me replacing the radar will NOT fix the problem because of my lift. Then the Toyota engineers said that both the bracket and the radar need replaced. I might take it to a different dealer for a second opinion if all else fails

 

I'm dealing with pcs and abs warning lights because of the speed senor.

I THINK the issue is because you leveled out the front. So instead of it pointed down from factory now its pointed up higher. I'm having this issue as well.

If the bracket is bent try and straighten it out. Even maybe try angling then sensor down similar to were it would be at factory height. Or maybe rear spacers to raise the back a little

I thought the dealers could disable the pcs. Id start calling dealers to see if its possible atleast.

 

The dealer told me that there isn't a real solution for this. Apparently when the cars are lifted the systems have to be turned off by the dealer, for some reason it didn't work on my car and that its a "known issue with 2020 4runners". I'm going to look a the bracket when I get home, shot in the dark but its worth trying.

 

Dont take it personally, but you are confusing. YOu ask for help and so far have had nothing remotely positive to say to anyone with advice. Your ability to articulate like an adult and behave professionally with a "professional" business, one from who you need their help sounds, via your interpretation of the events, is kinda lacking.

Next, find a new dealer. Clearly you they are unwilling to help you, are dramatically incompetent or you have rubbed them the wrong way and now they have zero desire to help you. OK, a bracket is bent. Slow down, tell a less jaded story and explain to us exactly what they claim is wrong, how they assume it happened and why it is not being covered under 3/36 warranty?

Last, yes, electronics are finicky things. They are not black and white. It could be something within the headlights themselves has changed over time and it just now manifesting itself. Why it may seem to be a pain in the ass, the only way to rule out it is not the headlights causing the issue is.... drum roll please... go back to factory components.

Do you have paperwork from the dealer denyign you warranty due to the headlights being A/M or that you have a lift and non-OEM sized tires?

 

You mentioned that the adaptive cruise control is still working. I can’t say for sure but I would think your radar is ok if the cruise is working.

 

Your title precedes you. Not sure how I rubbed anyone in the wrong way, I was merely replying to everyone.

They claim that because the bracket is bent, the radar failed internally. Re-calibrating and disabling the system does not solve the problem. Their tech submitted a ticket to Toyota Engineers and they advised to replace both the bracket and the radar. The advisor did not specifically say that warranty would not cover it but mentioned multiple times over the phone that the car is lifted and has after market headlights. See also he pictures above, technician story and the invoice.

I still have the OEM headlights, I will put them back in to rule that part out.

 

Have you asked "is this covered under warranty? Bent can mean more than physical contact. It can also mean the material fatigued over time and bent due to non-mechanical stresses. Find out specifically if it is covered... at anther dealer with better google ratings than your current dealer. All of this may be moot.

 

Like Slopemaster said, the cruise control relies on the radar. That is either working or not.
Like any other repair, try the cheapest one yet. Swap out the headlights.
I would also try to bend the bracket back to its original shape.

 

Pressing the return button doesn’t work?

 

I did not specifically ask if its covered under warranty but I will try a different dealer and lead with that. My current dealer is actually rated really good and they've been good to me in the past

First two things I will try when I get home!

 

It does..ish, the message goes away for 5 seconds then comes back

 

Thats how mine is.

 

Did you check to see if the bracket is indeed bent? They can't turn it off using techstream?

 

Will check the bracket when I get home. They did in fact turn it off but it didn't solve the issue. At start up everything is fine and the dash will say "Pre Collision System Off". I will hit the back button and start driving. After 10 seconds the Malfunction message with the triangle warning light comes back

 

Why not replace the bent bracket?

 

Been searching for a while online on the Toyota website and can't find a part number. C4 Fab does make a relocation kit so after market bumpers can be put on, I might try this option

 

I would play out the warranty card. Your talking about a vehicle safety system that was marketed to enhance occupant safety.

IMHO, it would be very bad optics for the dealership and/or Toyota corporate to not take action to correct the discrepancy of a critical safety system simply because you installed bigger tires.

 

Guess you didn't read the dealers report if you just think its bigger tires.

Ask the dealer for the bracket part number. They should at least be able to get you that.

 

I guess you could say the bracket is definitely bent...

 

That back part of the bracket is bent on mine as well and it still works fine. Don’t know if it is supposed to be, but doesn’t seem to affect anything

 

Thank you dor letting me know. It looks like it's bent like that from factory. I can force it "straight" but the bolt holes don't line up... hmm. Anyone else on here can confirm theirs looks the same?