TERCEL/IDAHO/USA

I have a '92 Tercel, stock with a 5 speed, 160K miles (with tachometer installed). It runs and drives great, but my idle is all over the place. Up to 1800rpm a few minutes after a cold start, to 1600rpm after driving 10-12 miles, to 1200rpm after stopping and re-starting (after 5-10 minutes) after warmed up. What is controlling the idle, and is there any way to get it more stabilized??

Hi, I have to agree here. The Toyota 'boards are really cool looking, a very integrated-looking fit. List price is $545.00, and I think they are worth it. They come painted to match your rig, too. If you can get me your paint code, I can get you the Toyota part number. As far as install, they shouldn't be too difficult to put on. The big advantage of having your Toyota dealer install them is that if they screw them up (scratch the finish, or some such) they are liable. They are pricey, especially if your are adding installation to the price of the parts, but they are original Toyota, and your Highlander is no cheeseball ride either. It's a very nice automotive mechanism, and as such, deserving of very nice accessorizing. Let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Enjoy your Highlander!!

I've actually heard this specific complaint before. And your service department was right, that's the official Toyota word on this one. I don't know if taking a quick reading a t fill-up time is so difficult because of the size and shape of the the dipstick tube, or what, but that that would be my guess. That was the reason for the similar situation on the old Previa vans.

My experience with dealing with this complaint does not require replacing the distributor assembly..There is a small o-ring at the base of the distributor, where it contacts the cylinder head that fails and leaks. (p/n 90099-14127, list price $3.43) The repair for this only involves taking the distributor loose and removing it from the head, replacing the o-ring, and re-assembling. It is not an uncommon part to fail on Camry's of your vintage. More messy than critical, as long as you keep an eye on the oil level.

Well, I looked through the parts catalog for your Camry today and it looks like it all snaps together. Anyway, there were no screws listed in the picture. Perhaps you can remove the parts you need to get access to the areas you want to check out. I wish I could be more specific for you, but I haven't had one of these apart myself. Good luck. I can fax you a pic of the parts illustration if you think that might help. Just let me know.

Also try swapping your front tires side for side. Sometimes there are slight irregularities in how the radial belts are laid in the tire carcass during manufacture. This can cause a "radial tire pull" that alignment will not cure. I owned a set of Dunlops that had this problem, and also fixed my girlfriend's '02 Echo by doing this. (She had a set of Nankangs, some kinda inexpensive Korean rubber rim protectors!) Anyway, it may be something to try, it's cheap, and if it works you"ll notice a difference right away. If it does do the trick, then just rotate front to rear from then on for the rest of the life of the skins.

Hey, I'll try to do some research in the parts catalog when I get back to work on Thursday (if I'm still working!) and get back to you. I know that on some Toyotas the little storage area bolts into the same framework that the radio does, and is accessed by removing the dash trim around the radio. But I am not familiar enough with an '03 Camry to be sure without a little further investigating. Stay tuned for more info. I do know that some of the Toyotas I drive were built B.C. (before cupholders) which allows the driver to have his coffee containment vessel clamped securely between the driver's thighs, providing the famous scalding hot liquid splash experience during athletic cornering. Sometimes modern designs are better. I wasn't planning on having anymore kids anyway.............

Thanks, I've got no plans for the immediate future. Just collect some unemployment, maybe a little work on the side, play with my 10 y.o. son. Things will pick up at work in a couple of months and they are terribly short-staffed for this summer. I've been in this business in this area for a long time, so I know I can find work if I need to. The door is open to go back if they call me. I've been aroung the block enough times in this business to know there is no need to stress. Just wish it was summer, ya know!!

Yup, gotta agree with leighcm. What you are seeing on the cap is what is called the "vender part number." It is a p/n, but it is not Toyota's, it's from the manufacturer. If your local dealer has tracked the part number using your VIN and compared the cap on your rig to the illustrations in the parts catalog, everthing should be on the right track. (heavy on the "should") The best I can suggest is what I would do if you were my customer. I would order you the cap with the understanding that if it wasn't the right one, you wouldn't have to pay for it, and if I had made you pre-pay for a special-order part, I would refund the purcahse price and continue to try and get you the right part, up and including making a call to Toyota Dealer parts answer line. All dealers have access to people with Toyota USA to help with difficult and troublesome applications, and availability, and other parts issues. Unfortunately, none of the info on the part led me to any specific color. Hope it goes well for you. Thanks for the opportunity to help you.

Hey, I've been off of this site for awhile, but thanks to a new computer, I'm baaack!! I'd love to help you, but what you are asking is waaay over my head, even after 20 years as a Toyota parts dude. I know that there are more technologically adept folks out there somewhere. I hope they can contact you. I have always thought that one thing that makes a good "car guy" is knowing your limitations, and some of the tech and specs stuff certainly exceed mine. Let me know if I can help you with anything else.

Thanks, man. Let me know if I can be of assistance.

Man, center caps can be a real pain sometimes. I don't know where you got the part number in your post, but I couldn't get it to come up a valid p/n in my system. I found 3 possible applications for your '03 Sequoia: p/n 42603-0C040 @ $85.97, p/n 42603-AF010 @ $56.39, & p/n 42603-AF030 @ $61.16. I might be able to narrow it down further if I had your VIN. The parts cataloging shows illustrations for all three choices. Let me know if I can be of furthur assistance. P.S. I'm gettin' laid off at the end of the month due to re-structuring of the hours at my dealership. I still should be able to have access cataloging and pricing, though. It's gonna be a drag to outta work in the car bussiness this time of year.

Make sure sway bar end link bushings and sway bar mount bushings are in good shape. Paseo has pretty basic suspension technology that should work well if everything is in good shape. If you're just using it for a driver, regular duty strut replacements (Monroe/Gabriel) should do just fine. I've had lots of experience with this particular Toyota drivetrain and I have found it to be a good design. Good luck, and enjoy the top down.

Thanks for the tip. I went to their site and found some seriously beat wheels. Maybe I'm just looking for something a little to far on the other side of ancient! Someone has got to have something laying around somewhere. I guess it's time to go back and wander through the local u-pull-it yard. Have to bundle up though, it is December in Idaho!! Wish me luck! And have a Merry Christmas!

I'm looking to purchase a set of factory Toyota aluminum wheels. 4 bolt (4x100mm) 13, 14, or 15 inch, like originally for later model Tercel, early model MR2, early model Prius, Echo, Paseo, Yaris. Need to be complete with center caps if possible. Let me know what you have out there.

The mark-up on parts, either Toyota or Lexus, is left up to the selling dealer. Some stores mark up their Lexus inventory more than teir Toyota parts. The store I work at doesn't do this, but the practice is not at all uncommon. All the factory does is provide a "suggested retail price" and some parts managers hike the price to retail customers to off-set discounts given to repair and body shops. Guess it's just a greed factor. This is why I am no longer "career-driven" in this business. I've been a parts manager, service manager, wholesale accounts manager, and just about everything else in a dealership. Now I just want to show up, do my job, sell parts, help people, and go home. Oh yeah, the paycheck! Can't forget that!!

Well, this was certainly an education for me!! the Camry service manual comes in 5, that's right, 5 volumes consisting of Vol. 1, Service, Maintenance, & Engine; Vol. 2, Suspension, Transmission, Drive Axles; Vol. 3, Cruise Control, Brakes, A/C & Heater, Seat Belts; Vol. 4, Interior, Exterior; and Vol. 5, Electrical. WOW! And it ain't cheap either! Whoever gave you the $700 quote was right on. I'm sure it's got nearly every imaginable detail in it, but the price is high. The different volumes are available seperately if you are interested in that. I got this info from the people that we order owners manuals from. Your local dealer should have that phone number, but if that exceeds their limitations I can share that info with you so you may enlighten them. Unfortunately, it is a "dealer only" situation as far as ordering from them. I hope this helps. If you have any more questions, just let me know. And yes, I work at the Toyota/Lexus store in Boise, deep in the heart of Spudland. Insert jokes here!!!

a 4AGEC with only 16 cylinder ventilators, I just like those motors, I have a never-ending project that involves putting the drivetrain from a 1988 Corolla FX16 into a 1991 Tercel. It seemed like a really good idea at the time, and everything should eventually fit together just fine, but I think my tape measure lied to me in a couple of locations. I plan on having it done (and out of the garage) and painted by spring. Sooo many cars, so little time!!!!

Your Welcome, and glad to be of assistance. Please no questions about star-studded mudguards, two-way sneeze-through wind vents, or sponge-coated completely edible steering columns!!! I also own a VERY nice 1986 MR2, and a 1987 Corolla GTS, and a 2006 Corolla XRS. Let me know if I can be of any help.

THANKS FOR THE SHOUT OUT!! I tried searching all the cataloging I have access to, and went out and spoke with some of the boys in the shop. While I am familiar with your motor, I only have info available here on models sold in the domestic market. Hopefully you can get in contact with someone who may have access to offshore parts cataloging that can help you.

Hello friends, Just to introduce myself, I have been a Toyota parts person in a Toyota dealership since 1988. If you are having trouble finding a specific part for your Toyota, I may be able to help. At least I can provide you with a factory part number to take to your local Toyota dealer. I'm not looking to make any money from this, my only motivation is to share some knowledge and help some people. I've been around the block a few times and have lots of general knowledge, and also dealership insights. Let me know if I may be able to help you.