02 Solara - New Member - Got Q'S!

[iiifly]

hello! I'm new.

I just bought a 02' Solara, and I'm a little nervous about it. Seems ok.

How can I tell whether I have the valet key or the master key? I'd like to make copies. I only have one key and a clicker? The remote is not a Toyota stock one, and I'd like to get a toyota one (cause the one they gave me doesn't have a trunk release button). Is this possible?

Also, the car has 90k mi on it. My father has an 05 camry with 15k on it, and his engine (same - 16v VVTi 4cyl) is much smoother and much less vibration in it. Is that normal?!? how could i make sure everythings ok, and is there anyone here (mechanic) on long island (Ny) who knows about these cars and can check it?

I just noticed, also, that the manual trunk release latch is broken. the gas one is intact. I'd like to replace this, anyone done this? easy?

Thanks!!!

[Biggi_e]

welcome, can you open your trunk?

[iiifly]

yes, with the key!

[Jon11582]

Few things.

1) Master key has a Black head on the key. Valet key has a standard silver head. You can check which key you have by trying to open your trunk or trying to lock your glove compartment with the key. Valet key lacks these functions. (This may be different for engine immobilizer equipped cars, mine isn't. I think they would both need black heads in a car with engine immobilizer to start the engine.)

2) An engine with more miles will be rougher. The motor mounts are more used, and there will be more vibrations than an engine that hasnt been used that much. Also, the Solara 2AZ (Your engine is the 2AZ-FE, get to know that name) has a timing chain as opposed to a timing belt. The Camry 2AZ may still be belt driven. Chains are rougher, but never need replacing, whereas belts are smoother, but should be replaced at 90K. (All the other Solara engines are belt driven to my knowledge except for the 2AZ.)

EDIT - Apparently all 2AZ-FEs in Camry and Solara are chain driven. You can ignore that part, except for the fact that you never need to replace it.

3) The 02-03 has an electronic trunk release inside the glove box. There is no manual trunk release on this car as far as I know.

[NVDIS1]

Valet key won't unlock/lock gove box or trunk and if its a toyota key it should be all metal without the pocket protector(black head)

[iiifly]

thanks so much for the info! I feel much better now. I'm going to check the electronic trunk release once I get home (at work now), just registered it today and I didnt get to drive it yet.

yes the key has a black head on it, so I guess it's a master.

Edit: About the engine info - thank god it's a chain! one less thing to worry about!

[krawzyazn]

check all your motor mounts esp the dog bone on top I had to replace mine

[iiifly]

OK, i'll take a look at that too.

My previous car was a Volkswagen, which gave me plenty of experience on all the things that could go wrong with cars the engine mount was one of the things I replaced in that car.

How strong are the transmissions on these cars? cause thats what finally befell on my volks.

[Somedude]

Toyota automobiles are not known for their transmission problems. I have a 2004 Solara 4 cyl. (same motor as yours) and I haven't had any mechanical, electronic, or cosmetic problems.

[Jon11582]

Toyotas (well before this year anyways) havent really had any tranmission problems of note. The engine and drivetrain are pretty much bulletproof when running standard specs.

The first thing to go historically on my family's Toyotas are the electronic systems or air conditioning, but were talking after over a decade.

[woa_its_j3ff]

welcome to SG. black head key is master key, gray is valet. just like what everyone said above. Valet key cannot open the trunk and the glovebox. enjoy your 'new' ride.

[SleeperSolara]

Welcome to SG.org

[vinnie the sex]

welcome to sg and i was wondering the name of my engine?

[MCOjerry]

[Down2TheC]

Howdy. The '05 (gen 2) is a very different engine from yours. Don't try to compare the two. And check that remote. You might be using and aftermarket alarm system so the Toyota remote would be useless unless you dig that out. If it's not a Toyo remote now, can't imagine that it's running the stock systems.

I never understood how dealerships take trade-ins with none of the good stuff. My last used car came with 1 key, no manual. After 12 yrs I donated a car and left 4 keys in the glove box and the manual and all the original docs + the sticker! Do the dealerships toss that stuff? Or do the people not keep it?