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Older Camry Maintenance and Repair

727 messages,  Last post on Jan 29, 2013 at 5:40 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Camry, Auto Repair

Messages Page 72 of 74

#702 of 727 Re: 2001 Camry inside passenger door handle doesn't work [luckyseven] by seattletwodogs

Oct 16, 2011 (9:52 am)

Replying to: luckyseven (Oct 15, 2011 8:06 pm)
It was not the handle that was broken. The body shop owner removed the inside door panel and where there should have been two metal rods attached to two pieces of plastic, he found that one of the plastic pieces was broken and the rod was hanging down loose. Somehow he fashioned a piece of plastic and along with a plastic tie reattached the rod.
 
He commented that usually it's the door handle itself that breaks. I now have a spare handle should I ever need it and am quite satisfied, especially after getting two quotes in the $200 range.

#703 of 727 Starter problem by gmable42

Nov 01, 2011 (10:50 am)

I have a 2000 Camry I bought a new starter for it I've been having problem with I changed the battery, posts, and then the starter. It started fine after I replaced it but the next day I got a tick tick sound like it makes when the starter goes out. I don't know what else to do I was sure it was the starter the original one did the same thing I tapped it with a hammer and it worked, it didn't work with the new one. HELP!!!!!!

#705 of 727 Re: 1999 Camry Turn Signal Flasher Location [kiawah] by cochran1981

Dec 30, 2011 (4:25 pm)

Replying to: kiawah (Oct 01, 2008 4:31 pm)
Just in case someone needs to do this: kiawah is correct. the flasher is a black square box located amongst a bunch of wires in a white plastic reservoir behind the left kickpanel. once you have located the piece, use a flathead screwdriver to wedge into the center reservoir for leverage and feel around til you find a groove. the groove on the plastic flasher is on the bottom. pull it downwards and wiggle the piece til it comes out. replace with new flasher. i would also recommend disconnecting the negative terminal of your battery for safety purposes.

#706 of 727 98 V6 tune up by er12883

Jan 02, 2012 (9:26 am)

Hi guys, I have a 1998 Camry LE V6 coming up on 130k miles. I bought it with 60k miles on it abt 5yrs ago. It still runs great, and has received regular oil changes and had normal minor issues for an older car (rack and pinion replacement, and a false positive intermittent check engine light are the only notable things). I regularly get 28+ mpg on my regular commute (mixed hwy/city with more going and less stopping). I've been weighing the options of holding onto it vs getting rid of it before things break down, and have decided to take the time to do a thorough tune up and maintain it and see how long it will last. I feel confident doing the work, I have the proper tools, garage space, manuals, and in my previous cars I kept an old Chevy Corsica running past 200k miles, and rebuilt an old ford four-banger. I'm going to have time this summer and a backup car, so that won't be an issue.
 
My question for you guys is while I have everything apart, what else should I do at the same time? On my to do list so far are:
Oil and filter change
Timing belt
Water pump
Tensioner and pulleys if needed
Possibly oil seals
Air filter
Sparks and wires
Belts and radiator hoses
Flush/fill radiator
 
While I've got it up, I'm checking brakes, inspect brake lines, get new tires put on the wheels, and I might get a second set of wheels with snow tires on them (in Colorado), not sure if I want to drop the cash for that though. The things I have not dorked with in the past are anything to do with suspension or tranny. I feel fine changing out the tranny fluid which I might do.
 
Things I've never done before:
Steering and suspension or anything tranny related. Is there anything I should be looking out for here? I am okay doing the work myself if I know what to look out for. Anything I missed on here or anything that would be weird on this car or pitfalls I might run into? Thanks!

#707 of 727 97 Camry just died in traffic by erikap1012

Jan 05, 2012 (2:52 pm)

Hi Everyone....yesterday my 97 Camry with 184,000 miles just completely died while sitting in traffic ....all lights came on. Could not get restarted. When trying to restart, engine cranks but no spark. It's not the battery as it will turn over several time. I had no problems prior to this and no indication while driving that anything was wrong. Kinda came out of nowhere. I had it towed as I was forced to get out of the traffic! Any ideas before I take it somewhere for diagnosis?
 
Thanks!

#708 of 727 Re: 97 Camry just died in traffic [erikap1012] by rearwheeldrive

Jan 08, 2012 (6:15 am)

Replying to: erikap1012 (Jan 05, 2012 2:52 pm)
Can't belive no response, by now I'm sure the mechanic told you the timing belt broke.
 
Just my guess, I hope you can follow up with the problem. I'm interested in learning more when folks get on here with some car problems.
 
This is a good site to get good info if folks follow up with the solutions.
 
Thanks

#710 of 727 Repair? Heater Core Replacement? by lookingnewcar

May 19, 2012 (6:30 am)

We have a 98 with 133,000 miles, it's been a great car.
 
This past week it started overheating out of the blue early one a.m. Pulled over and stopped immediately and had it towed into a Toyota dealer.
 
They're saying it needs a new water pump/timing belt - what we expected, at $845ish BUT also needs a heater core replacement $855 as well as a few other things that can wait, we were told these two repairs were necessary to get the car running again.
 
Anyone have any info on the heater core replacement? We're not sure if it's time to look into a new Camry vs. putting more money into this one.

#711 of 727 Re: Repair? Heater Core Replacement? [lookingnewcar] by c5t4r

May 19, 2012 (7:37 am)

Replying to: lookingnewcar (May 19, 2012 6:30 am)
We have a '97 CaMry 4 cyl with 170K on it. Yes, assuming the car is otherwise sound, its worth fixing..
 
What is the actual problem? I doubt you suffered a catastrophic failure of the pump and core at the same time. Is your carpet wet? Do you smell the sweet smell of antifreeze? If not, the core probably doesn't have to be changed to get back on the road.
 
I would suggest getting a 2nd opinion on pricing for a car this old because, IMO, the dealer is best used when the car is under warranty and you don't want to void it. Just call around as both prices seem a bit high.
 
The heater core on these models are among the easiest to change out. Don't let them tell you they have to tear the dash apart. The core sits behind a little panel on the drivers side near the accelerator. You'll have to pull the carpet back. For an experienced person its a 2-3 hr job at most. They will already have drained the coolant to do the water pump. $855 is way out of line. I paid $400 a couple years ago when I was traveling and time was an issue. I also helped my neighbor change out his garage in a couple hours. His cost was about $125 and a few beverages.
 
Take a look at a haynes or chilton manual to get an idea of what they have to do. But again, I'd be getting another estimate or three.
 
Let me also say the heater core can easily be bypassed temporarily under the hood by removing the hoses from the pipes that go to the core and joining them with a couple of hose clamps. This time of year that should not be a problem and will buy you some time to get an estimate elsewhere.

Messages Page 72 of 74

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