C1300 – Skid Control ECU Malfunction (Toyota)

By Reinier (Contact Me)
Last Updated 2023-10-02
Automobile Repair Shop Owner

Table of Contents

1. What Does Code C1300 Mean?
2. Where is the C1300 sensor located?
3. What are the common causes of code C1300?
4. What are the symptoms of code C1300?
5. Get Help with C1300

What Does Code C1300 Mean?

OBD II fault code C1300 is a manufacturer-specific trouble code that is defined by carmaker Toyota as, C1300 – “Skid Control ECU Malfunction” and is set when the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) detects a malfunction in the electronic control module that controls the Skid Control system on the vehicle. Note that the skid control system on Toyota vehicles is also known as the Vehicle Stability Control system or the Vehicle Stability Control Plus (VSC+) system, a somewhat enhanced version of the Vehicle Stability Control system.

NOTE: It is important to point out that Toyota vehicles essentially have two stability control systems. One system uses the ABS and traction control systems to prevent or correct straight-line skids, such as might happen under aggressive braking events while the second system uses various sensors and technologies to prevent or correct lateral skids, such as might happen during aggressive cornering or excessive steering inputs. This article will deal with the second system, i.e., the system that prevents or corrects lateral skids.

Since a large percentage of crashes are single-vehicle accidents that result from drivers having lost directional control of their vehicles, car manufacturers, including Toyota, have developed safety systems commonly known as Stability Control systems to help drivers recover safely from potentially dangerous situations such as lateral slides.

Such situations occur when the rear wheels do not follow the steering angle set by the front wheels and in extreme cases, lateral forces could cause the rear end of the vehicle to swing so far past the set steering angle that the rear end might pivot around the center of the front axle, thus causing the vehicle to spin out uncontrollably.

Thus, to help prevent such situations, the stability control systems on Toyota vehicles use the ABS to apply braking forces to individual wheels to force the rear end of the vehicle to follow the steering angle set by the front wheels.

In terms of operating principles, the skid control/stability control system uses input data from the wheel speed sensors, as well as from a yaw sensor, deceleration sensors, the steering angle sensor, the throttle position sensor, the vehicle speed sensor, and the transmission control module.

In a fully functional skid control system, the skid control module will compare input data from all implicated sensors. Thus, if it detects that lateral forces on the vehicle are about to cause the vehicle’s rear end to deviate from the steering angle reported by the steering angle sensor during cornering, it will use the ABS system to apply a calculated braking force on the outside rear wheel.

Provided the tires have not lost their grip on the road surface, the applied braking force to the outside rear wheel will slow that wheel down, which will do two things. The first is that the slowing of the wheel will drag the vehicle’s rear end back into line, and the second is that on rear-wheel drive vehicles, braking the outside wheel will transfer torque to the inside rear wheel, which will help “push” the vehicle out of the impending slide or skid. At the same time, the skid control module will assume control of both the throttle and the transmission to prevent throttle inputs and gear shifts that may aggravate an already dangerous situation. In addition, the latest iterations of skid control systems on Toyota vehicles will also autonomously apply power steering assistance to help a driver steer the vehicle out of a skid.

Note that while the skid control system will not assume control over the power steering system, it will apply a greatly increased resistance to turning the steering wheel in a direction that will increase the severity of a skid.

From the above, it should be clear that the skid control module must be in perfect working condition for the skid control system to work as both designed and intended. Thus, if the PCM or other control module, such as the ABS control module detects any kind of failure or malfunction in the skid control module, the PCM (and other implicated control modules) will recognize that it/they cannot control or manage the skid control system effectively. If this happens, the PCM (Or other control module will set code C1300 and illuminate one or more warning lights.

In addition, and depending on the nature and extent of the failure, the PCM may also disable the ABS and other safety systems, such as adaptive cruise control and stability control as a safety precaution, although normal braking will remain available.

Where is the C1300 sensor located?

This schematic diagram shows the location (arrowed) of the skid control module on a 2009 Toyota Camry. Note that this location holds three different modules, with the skid control module being the smallest and located closest to the door.

Note that the locations of skid control modules on other Toyota vehicles vary greatly, although the most common location is under the dashboard. Nonetheless, since many other (and unrelated) control modules are also located under the dashboard, be sure to research the exact location and appearance of the skid control module on an affected vehicle to prevent a possible misdiagnosis and the unnecessary replacement of an unrelated module.

What are the common causes of code C1300?

Some common causes of code C1300 could include the following-

• Damaged, defective, or malfunctioning skid control module
• Corrupted or damaged skid control module software
• Damaged, burnt, shorted, disconnected, or corroded wiring or electrical connectors in the skid control system
• Blown fuses or fusible links
• The use of an incompatible skid control module
• Improper or incorrect calibration of a replacement skid control module (Note that this process may sometimes have to be repeated several times with dealer-grade equipment for the calibration to complete or be successful)
• Failed or failing PCM, but note that this an exceedingly rare event

What are the symptoms of code C1300?

The most common symptoms of code C1300 could include the following-

• Stored trouble code and an illuminated warning light
• Depending on the nature of the problem, multiple additional codes may be present along with C1300
• ABS braking may not be available
• The traction control system may not be available
• The adaptive cruise control and other safety systems may not be available

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