A Few Oddities In The First Week

[tresola]

My car does have some quirks, and I was warned about one of them anyways (#1):

1) The previous owner mentioned that a bulb was burned out in the dash and he only said that you couldn't see the empty gas tank warning light. However, it was pretty gloomy this morning driving to work and I noticed that only 80-140mph and 4000-8000rpm were definitely lit up. The owner said in order to fix the problem you needed to take the entire dash apart. It kind of makes me nervous that so many gauges appear not to light up, although I have yet to drive it in the dark. Has anyone had this problem? I was thinking it could be a fuse, but after glancing at the owner's manual, I don't think it could be. Any advice?

2) I can take the key out on ACC and the electronics like radio keep on. I thought this can be common on older cars, but is it something I should worry about and get something fixed?

3) When the car's cold, there's something under the hood that squeaks. We could see a little play in the pulley for the serpentine belt. I'm wondering if something needs to be tightened? The squeak seems very common of a lot of Toyotas out there, and my Camry had the same thing. Any tips here?

Past this, I really enjoy the car! Its the worrier in me that just can't seem to be laid to rest without a few answers or someone telling me "don't worry about it!". Thanks for the advice, as usual!

[99SLE-S]

#1. To pull the cluster out it's only 2 screws to remove the trim piece, then either 2 or 4 to pull the cluster out, there is no pulling of the dash required.

#2. Is more of an annoyance in my opinion, sounds like you just need a new lock cylinder.

[tresola]

Yeah, the #2 is quite annoying. Yesterday when I got into my car from the mechanic's they had left it on ACC but luckily the battery wasn't worn down at all. I thought I heard somewhere it takes more than a day to drain the battery being on ACC. The radio and everything else was off too, which helps.

#1 sounds like I can easily tackle the problem, so I will when I get bored. It only seems that the empty gas light is the only one out and that I'm guessing that the higher mph and rpms are more illuminated than the rest? I still haven't driven the car in the dark, I'm such a loser!

#3 was found to be a bad alternator belt, and we replaced that to be on the safe side. He said it looked okay but the belt was dry on the inside and it was on crooked. Now I cannot hear the car running, its so quiet! I miss that, my Subaru can be so noisy at times.

Well, I took the car to the mechanic for 3 flushes on Tuesday. They were going to do the brake fluid, radiator fluid, power steering and then an oil change. The mechanic calls me up that afternoon and goes, "um, please don't be mad, but we kind of have a problem with your car". I pause, fearing they like dented it or something horrible like the engine's really bad off or something (that actually happened with my Subaru at a different shop called me up to tell me my engine's scrap). I'm like, "okay, what's the problem?" He goes, "Well, I wrote out the instructions to the tech to do the flushes, except I wrote it down wrong and we ended up flushing out the transmission too. Oh, please don't be mad, we won't charge you for it!". I laughed, so relieved! I told him that was perfectly fine by me as long as it won't hurt the transmission. He thought the fluid before was okay but now of course its better than ever! So I got all the flushes possible done plus the new alternator belt. I didn't touch the leaking valve cover gaskets or power steering return hose, but we decided those weren't enough of a problem and might not possibly be for a long time.

So I get to drive this really nice car once again, they had it for only two days but I missed it like crazy!!

[Midias]

Pulling the cluster is super easy all you need is a Phillips head I did it once at advance auto parts in the parking lot because I had some time to kill before class only takes about 30 min to pull it change the bulbs and put it back.

[Midias]

Also the bulbs behind the cluster are standard clear 194 bulbs with a removable green condom over them.

[ralphredimix]

Also the bulbs behind the cluster are standard clear 194 bulbs with a removable green condom over them.

Really? So you could put a blue Lifestyles over the bulb instead to upgrade to sick racer-style gauges?

[Midias]

Also the bulbs behind the cluster are standard clear 194 bulbs with a removable green condom over them.

Really? So you could put a blue Lifestyles over the bulb instead to upgrade to sick racer-style gauges?

Yup

Or just get kick ass blue led bulbs

[tresola]

Sweet, you mean its that easy to upgrade to glowing gauges? In that case, I'm going for green I think...

[Midias]

Sweet, you mean its that easy to upgrade to glowing gauges? In that case, I'm going for green I think...

I do not recommend ebay china bulbs

www.superbrightleds.com Twice the price twice the quality


http://www.solaraguy.com/viewtopic.php? ... hlight=led

[Midias]

#2 sounds like a problem I had with my S10 when I had a key made at a hardware store.

[ralphredimix]

Midias, thanks for the link to that thread. I was only trying to bust an easy joke but those superbrights look pretty ill for such an easy upgrade.

Methinks I'll have to match my Alpine blue..

Now what about the center console lights (AC controls, ashtray, etc) - are those just as easy to swap?

[Midias]

Midias, thanks for the link to that thread. I was only trying to bust an easy joke but those superbrights look pretty ill for such an easy upgrade.

Methinks I'll have to match my Alpine blue..

Now what about the center console lights (AC controls, ashtray, etc) - are those just as easy to swap?

I think those are #74 bulbs but I am not sure how well the light covers everything.

[tresola]

#2 sounds like a problem I had with my S10 when I had a key made at a hardware store.

It could be, I do not have the factory key. In fact, he gave me about 5-6 worn out keys for the poor car. I found a "factory" key on amazon.com that's supposed to be like the OEM, but only $29.99. They give you instructions on how to program it, so all you need to do is find someone to cut it for you. Although, I'm not sure if any one of the keys he gave me is good enough to make a master cut. I'm not sure how to play this one out, if I should get a new ignition switch and get it rekeyed, or try the cheapie amazon.com key and see what happens. ?? Apparently my mechanic's never seen this problem before. The owner swore he did a lot of highway driving, but it makes you wonder with all the odd wear and tear in the car. Seats, keys, etc.

[Chinky420]

the guage cluster is removed by
a) phillips head two screws at the top of the cluster (removes black upper/inner trim portion)
b) 4 phillips head screws around clear plastic (behind the black trim peice that is pulled out (carefully))
c) unplug and remove

it's helpful if you use a shorty phillips head screwdriver (the short stubby one), because the angles of the screws is kinda akward.

as far as the key issue is concerned, can you just buy a generic key and have the chip inside it reprogrammed? i thought you had to have the dealership fix the problem if it involved replacing keys and/or ignition locks. my stance is, if it's still working, don't fix it.

[tresola]

thanks for the directions, i think that should be an easy project to tackle once i figure out the bulb size. which reminds me, i also need a rear backup bulb... the previous owner's mechanic had said it was a major undertaking to replace the bulb. then again, that was a gas station monkey.

as for the key, you don't necessarily need a chip, i'm not sure if any of mine have one. i really want a factory key! apoarently only twice in several years the previous owner had said the car didnt like the key and wouldnt turn over. otherwise you just make sure you always make sure the key was taken out on off and not acc. i'm thinking of waiting awhile to see if any major problems arise. you're right, if it ain't broken, dont touch it!