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Toyota Sienna Maintenance and Repair (2004+) - READ ONLY

2209 messages,  Last post on Mar 15, 2008 at 6:55 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Sienna, Auto Repair, Scheduled Maintenance, Van

    

Messages Page 161 of 221

#1601 of 2209 Location of 1999 Toyota Sienna Oxygen Sensor by jamesgoon

Jun 20, 2005 (10:37 pm)

I have a 1999 Toyota Sienna LE. The engine light came on and I took it to Autozone and the diagonois was PO155 the Oxygen Sensor 1 in Bank 2. My two questions are:
1. The OEM version of this Oxygen Sensor is ~$130.00. Are there any recommendations on which 3rd party brand is good and the best place to buy it at the best price?
2. Where is this Oxygen sensor located for me to change it? Be explicit. Accessible from the top or bottom of the car? Will I need a special wrench to unscrew it?
 
Thank you for you help

#1602 of 2209 Re: 2005 Sienna Front End Issues [jipster] by clover1

Jun 21, 2005 (9:15 am)

Replying to: jipster (Jun 20, 2005 6:11 am)
Thank you Jipster for your response. I contacted Toyota headquarters yesterday, because I never heard back from the dealers auto body shop. I am not going to stop until they replace this car. I spent over $30K for it a month ago and they have the nerve to think I will accept their botch job. Once they knew the damage the dealer really should have taken it back.

#1603 of 2209 Re: 2004 Sienna Maintenance light [shepasm] by ednovak

Jun 21, 2005 (2:08 pm)

Replying to: shepasm (Jun 20, 2005 10:19 am)
As per owner's manual:
Turn the ignition key to ACC or LOCK with the odometer reading shown.
Turn the ignition key to ON position while holding down the trip meter reset button.
Hold down the button for at least 5 seconds until the odometer indicates "000000" and the light goes off.
If the system fails to reset, the light will continue flashing.
----

#1604 of 2209 Sienna - seatbelt issues by c2rosa

Jun 23, 2005 (5:18 am)

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=106170

#1605 of 2209 05 Sienna Sluggish Transmission by shain

Jun 23, 2005 (5:38 pm)

What's up with the transmissions on the new Siennas? My new LE FWD seems really sluggish when it changes gears. It seems to slide slowly into each gear rather than shifting instantly like most other automatic tranmissions. It seems even worse around corners. I read that 04's had a similar transmission problem, but I assumed they corrected it. Anybody else out there experiencing the same thing? I still have a 1995 Grand Caravan with the same size engine as the Sienna and it is much more responsive than my new van. Is this normal? I would expect better than this from Toyota.

#1606 of 2209 Location of engine air filter by dog88

Jun 24, 2005 (5:51 am)

Where is the engine air filter located on the 2004 Sienna? I can't find it and the owner's manual gives no help at all. I found the air conditioning filter (behind the glove box). It's odd that the owner's manual barely mentions the engine air filter but spends alot of time describing how to change the air conditioning filter (complete with diagrams).
 
Thanks in advance!

#1607 of 2209 Re: Solution to Weak Rear Coil Springs [woodytwo] by sk8er

Jun 24, 2005 (8:51 am)

Replying to: woodytwo (Jun 19, 2005 8:25 pm)
I have a 2004 Sienna LE FWD and tow a small pop up tent trailer. I installed a Hidden Hitch rear bumper hitch b/c is was significantly less expensive than the quote I got from the Toyota dealer for the Toyota Hitch. The hitch was easy to install myself, though I had a mechanic do the wiring. The Hidden Hitch hangs quite low under the vehicle and even in unloaded conditions scraped when leaving the driveway. (It also looks ugly and certainly isn't "hidden".) I've noticed on other Siennas that the Toyota hitch doesn't hang as low, maye an inch or two higher and is less obtrusive.
 
When I hooked up the trailer with a 4 inch riser I had about 4 inches of clearance and the safety chains almost dragged on the road! This is with the proper tongue weight. It was discouraging because the Sienna is rated to tow/carry up to 3500 pounds but the suspension design doesn't allow you to tow anything that heavy.
 
Earlier this month I found a reference on this forum for an airlift kit (air bags installed in the coils). I bought one from Summit Racing for about $85 (including 2nd day shipping). Installing the kit myself was easy. This kit solved my problem. The vehicle and trailer combo now rides level and I have adequate clearance for most road conditions. I just returned from a 750 mile tour of Yellowstone National Park and Northwest Wyoming and had no problems towing the trailer. The vehicle performed very well on mountain roads and passes and I averaged 20 mpg and in addition to the trailer I had 4 bicycles on the roof.
 
I have been very pleased with my Sienna. This is the third mini van we've owned. The quality is apparent in the Sienna. It rides great (compared to the Plymouth Voyager and Chevy Astro we had). There is plenty of room for our family of 5 and 1 large dog. It is a very comfortable vehicle. With snow tires we have no problems handling the snowy roads of Wyoming with the front wheel drive. In normal highway driving at 75mph I've gotten 28 mpg! Personally I don't think the AWD model is worth the extra weight and expense especially now that I've solved my towing problem.

#1608 of 2209 My experience with 2004 XLE LTD by jb_shin

Jun 24, 2005 (9:32 am)

We bought 2004 XLE LTD in July of 2004 from Fitzgerald in MD. Reading through the posts here, I thought I'd just post my experience with the van.
 
1. The second week, NAV died, took 3 or 4 visits for them to finally replace the computer but the trims around the screen has been rattleing since, but service technicians cannot "reproduce" so we are living with it for the moment.
 
2. Ratles and squeaks from sliding doors (fixed) and the drivers side door (not fixed after 1 visit)
 
3. No transmission problem noted, and I drive it fairly aggressively as my wife does, who is the primary driver. We often surprise small hatchbacks and sedans when we out acelerate them. Come to think of it, I think I drive more sedately in my M5.
 
4. When steering is turned to right (close to the limit), it makes a fairly loud squealing noise, but again, service techs cannot "reproduce" after mentioning it during each and every visit (7 or so, so far for oil changes, fix rattles, etc.)
 
5. Bought FWD after noticing rough ride on AWD model. First thing I did was to buy a set of winter tire and steel rim set from the Tirerack and have not looked back. I have not had problem in 4 to 6 inches of snow, and I rarely see the traction system kick in. Obviously, I don't floor it in the snow. With the poor ride, the price and availability, and the mileage from the runflats, I am more than happy with having to replace the tires twice a year. I think it only cost $500 or so for the set. The OEM tires are wearing ok, so far, with 16,000 miles.
 
6. The seat heaters are so weak that it always goes to the "high" position so I have not noticed if it works on any other setting. BMWs we had heated up much faster and to higher temperature. Perhaps I will mention it the next time I go in.
 
7. The only TSB/recall I received was for the protected tape to prevent the rust on the doors.
 
8. Have not checked the brakes, but they seem to be fine, though it is very soft, compared to my Integra or the BMW.
 
9. Paint chip is a fact of life these days no matter what you drive. Most factories switched to water-based paint in the last a few years from oil-based paint due to environmental issues. Water-based paint is MUCH softer and chip/scratch easily.
 
10. With so many power/electric components, I purchased Toyota Care (0 deductible,
7/100,000 miles) for $800. Had to haggle a few minutes to get it down from $1500, using info. from this board.
 
11. Gas mileage since the purchase has been about 19.8 avg. We do about 60% highway and 40% city, I think.
 
Overall, I had about the same amount of problem with my 95 Integra (thank goodness for the extended warranty) but am disappointed with Sienna build quality. What is more disappointing is the dealer service. They seem to not care a whole lot one way or the other, which is surprising since there is more profit in service and parts these days. I go to Ourisman Chantilly (Northern VA) and used Fitz (MD) when I am up that way and they are both ok, but nothing to write home about. They pushed me to do 7500 and 15,000 mile services, but I declined as what they actually do is oil change, rotate tires (which I do at home) and "inspect" number of things, which one can easily do. I told them I just don't see the value in that, and not a peep after that. I will probably do 30,000/60,000 services at the dealer, even though it adds only a few more "replaced parts" than 15,000 mile service. My primary concern is that IF I have a power train warranty claim, they won't deny me on the basis of "not following" the recommended maintenance schedule. I do change the oil every 5,000 miles. FWIW would have bought a Lexus minivan if they had one, just for better service and attention to the customers.
 
I had far less problem and issues, actually none, with 2002 BMW 530 I just sold after 3 years, and I had no out-of-pocket expenses other than winter tire set, and the maintenance is covered for 4/50,000, brake job, oil change, even wiper refills. For $40,000, my wife and I would have been a lot happier with a 5-series wagon, but since we do drive my kids and parents together time to time, extra sitting was needed.
 
I'd have to seriously consider buying another Toyota. General perception is that Japanese cars in general, Honda and Toyota in particular, are less prone to major issues and economical, but I am hesitant to take my parents to look at any Toyota for their next car.
 
John

#1610 of 2209 2005 Sienna Gear Whine by ageezer

Jun 26, 2005 (2:07 pm)

My Sienna with 9,100 miles developed a gear whine at approximately 6,500 miles and is very noticeable at 60-65 mph. The dealership's Service Manager took their normal stance and and said they don't have a problem and used those detestable GM and Toyota phrases, "Factory Normal" and "Performing as Designed". I demanded that their transmission Tech take a ride with me, which he did, and upon return, advised the service mgr. that the vehicle did indeed have a very pronounced whine. I was told that they would "research" this on their Tech Line and get back to me the next day. Five days later, I called the Tech and he said that he didn't find anything but the Field Service Rep was at the dealership and he would talk to him about the problem. The Field Rep was very aware of the problem and said that Toyota has replaced many transmissions but that did not solve the problem. Supposedly, the engineers are now looking at design flaws in the final drive components and will issue a TSB when they figure it out(?).
In the meantime, folks, turn down your JBL's and drive at 60-65 on level ground and listen. The whine will stop on deceleration and come right back upon acceleration. If you hear the noise, report it to your dealership and put some pressure on the factory before you scatter your transaxle all over the interstate.

Messages Page 161 of 221

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