Loss of power with Check engine and VSC light on

There are several possible causes for the Check-Engine light coming on. First, it could be your oxygen sensors, PCV valve, dirty or clogged fuel filter or something as simple as a bad spark plug or loose spark plug wire. Also, contaminated fuel can also cause your loss of power and the subsequent light coming on.

Check the ABS system. Often times the VSC program on Toyotas and Hondas are tied in with that, which is what tells it which wheel to holdback to regain control in a slide or skid. Get to a pre-OBD scanner for toyotas and run the code. My guess is a faulty abs sensor or a/t lock up converter solenoid. Both are fairly common for this type of thing.

P.S. If you do not have the capability or the confidence to manually test these systems yourself, it's time to get the dealer involved. Be prepared, it will be expensive if that's the case ($300-1,000) for a problem in a vintage complex VSC system.

Hope that helps.

Kevin