Toyota Camry Questions & Answers (page 2 of 4)

Havent had that problem Id contract the dealer where you got it from

The problem was water leaking from windshield which was replaced 4 years back. Rain leaked in and caused electrical shorts/problems. I took it to service, they suggested I replace windscreen which I had it done. Then they cleaned the joints/junction what ever, and no problem at present. Hopefully the windscreen seal is good and durable and will not cause same problem. Totally it cost $450 for windscreen + $550 for mechanic service an total of nearly $1000.

At the base of the wiper there should be some adjustment screw(s) that may need a tweak.

Replace the drivers side with thinner Trident brand complete wiper assembly. Thicker and newer blade style ones don't work; they tend to bang on the windscreen plastic side trim. I've done it and hey presto no noise. I left the passenge blade style as is.

No, it is a completely different model of engine. The '98 2.2L is a cast iron block with alloy head, the '02 2.4L is an all-alloy motor, this engine was a completely new redesign in '02. The '98 2.2L is a 5S-FE model engine, the '02 2.4L is a 2AZ-FE engine.

Hi Riff,

I did not drive a Toyota with so many kms, however what I've heard they can do 1 mil kms when serviced properly. Look, it is probably the most reliable car you can get. Thus, examine the major parts properly such as engine (sound, start, behaviour by low and high speed, acceleration), gear box, suspension... Otherwise I believe it should be a very good car.

Best,
Andrej

The dealer told me they have no problem with older models.But of course depends on previous owner.

Please check the service schedule which comes with the vehicle.
If its not there best to ask a garage, they can advise.
Tks
Avi

The manual/ warranty book which comes with the vehicle should provide an answer, if not ask the question online with Toyota direct,

On this model Camry, Toyota state the transmission fluid never needs changing, it is good for the lifetime of the car (or transmission).
However, if you are towing regularly, or operating in high temperatures, it would pay to change the transmission fluid at around 150,000kms.
The colour and smell of the transmission fluid is a good guide. When it starts to darken appreciably, or smell slightly burnt, it is time to change it.

I don't have the Camry Hybrid model I have heard from few people that hybrid batteries are too expensive and people sell their hybrid cars when their battery is due to be replaced. Thanks

Not a clue, though perhaps you could Google "1999 Camry rear suspension noise". The first link indicates that worn Sway / Stabilizer Bar Bushes can produce the type of noise you have (common with vehs over 100K. Don't know if this is the case, "Pedders" or some other suspension should be able to help. Is there an online Camry forum you could ask? All the best.

Thanks for your reply.....it appears to be a faulty shocker so l guess an easy fix. Regards

Strut tower bushes. Common fault. Replace together with new shocks, either front or rear. Happen s all the time with age. Had to do 3 cars now so don't stress. Can be expensive though, shop around and or do yourself and youll save heaps!! Check if you have the touring model ; get the right struts as they are different ( spring and shocks) to CSI, conquest and earlier vienta.

Belt came off or a collapsed pulley

No it was an alternator problem, had a new one put in. The fire had damaged other things too. Cost totally $1500 to repair and get the car running again. Every mechanic we talked to, including one from Toyota, they have not seen/heard of this problem ever. All say it seems to be a fault in the alternator.

We have a 2014 Camry, great cars, nothing wrong with them

Wreckers usually work on VIN numbers and if not, just email each other pictures to compare.

no it's completely different model. Cheers

It's a 4 cylinder. Cheers!

The XV40 has a 2.4 4 cylinder, if you want a V6, I suggest to get an Aurion

Oil is to cars what blood is to humans. Fully serviced is the key to long life I ran a corona to 290k and saw that the guy that bought it was still running it 3 years later. Traditionally newer toyota vehicles are not oil burners so if the exhaust starts showing blacksmoke and or/soot in the tail pipe, it's time to bail out. Use a quality product to clean (a) the fuel injectors (b) the top end valves and rockers. If the book allows you to use premium fuel, it has additives will clean the rockers and valves, etc. Well worth a tank full. Run the fuel tank level down to about 1/4 full and then fill up with premium. Only other thing that's probably due for a makor check is the steering assembly. Bumps and lumps in the country may have created a need for the assembly there to be replaced. Often there is a clicking sound when turning left or right, that indicates the problem. At 290k you will not get much for it but it will not owe you much either.

Thanks! Do you think l should be able to get a few more years out of it. You mentioned the steering assembly? Should l ask them to give it a check the next time l get it serviced or it that something they check anyway and they would notice anything wrong? l get serviced at a Toyota garage.

The 2013 camry is a lot better than the one i owned, so I would definitely recommend, the engine is 4 cylinder so cheaper rego and it is economical for a car of its size, the boot is excellent very spacious so would fit most things in and the altise model the seats fold down. The camry has cruise control so great for highway driving. Hope this helps Rob and good luck with your car purchase. Happy Jan

Thank you for your help Happy Jan

That is not good if they cannot find the source of the problem given the fact that the car has been taken to the dealership.
I never had that experience before.
Your best bet is to have the transmission oil changed, check the transmission solenoid or change if it has one.
Loose wiring with no apparent break outside the insulation can do that as well on other cars.
If it does not work, you might just as well change the whole transmission with a second hand unit.
Most of the time electrical related issues are hard to diagnose, it is going to be a pain for you as the owner paying for things that are trial and error.
I am really sorry for what is going on with your car right now.

Rem

Try a good auto electrician, think that might be your best bet.

Perhaps you could try using a screwdriver or take it to a honest and reliable auto electrician to get them out though they will probably get stuck again so you might need to take the electronics shop under warranty or if the player is not under warranty then it is best to pay to get it fixed unless you want to keep the c'd's in there.

Hi Vic and Beth
Car doesn't have a tacho to give that information. It has an economy gauge instead that is interesting and tells you when the car is charging the battery or using fuel. I'm doing long country trips to places like Mildura, Lakes Entrance, Mount Gambier and I can tell you that I sit just over speed limits and not under them and I'm averaging about 6.4 or 6.5 ltrs per 100 km.

As above. No tacho. But both petrol and electric work together so very minimal strain is on the engine and the road noise cancels out any engine noise that might be there. Using 98 fuel I usually average 5.9 L/100km And that is a mix of freeway and city driving taking it easy. I don't however drive under the speed limit.

Firstly, having owned 3 hybrid vehicles now (2 Honda Civic Hybrids and now 1 Camry Hybrid), none of the Hybrids give you the Motor Revs. If you mean RPM then i can advice that if you were accelerating on a steep hill and trying to touch 100-110kph i guess you will see a lot of Revs on the Engine. But, since this is the most powerful hybrid sedan to date in the affordable range, the engine and motor work smoothly and very seamlessly....sharing the load quite well. You usually get fair amount of power to pull through to a decent speed and then cruise to get good solid fuel economy by lettign the electric motor take on most cruising load...until the battery requires a recharge in motion...when the engine kicks in and you hardly make out that its happening. Secondly, I usually know from experience that if you were to do your daily or usual city drive, within or just above city speed limits, you will touch anywhewre from 4.9L/100 to 5.4L/100 for this car depending on how you brake and how you accelerate. If you are a V6 driver, and wanna treat this vehicle the same, i suggest you are better off buying another V6 coz this car is not the same even though it has enough power to drive in that manner. But if you are someone with patience and like a smooth drive as "against" a fast pacy full-of-grunt kinda ride, then this is the best vehicle for you and family. On longer drives, such as intercity or elsewhere, you will get anywhere from 5.6L/100 to 6.5L/100km again depending on how you drive. I hope this answers your question on the performance of the motor and the engine in general.

Hello Matt. I would strongly recommend the 3 litre V6 over the 2.2 4 cylinder. All reports are that the V6 is a much more reliable and stronger motor. I have a friend also with a high kilometre V6 and it has been a great car. Try to get a V6 that has been serviced regularly. Good luck! Greg.

Thanks Greg! Appreciate it.
And with fuel consumption, does it differ much between 4 cylinder and V6 or does it just depend on how hard you push it

Not sure though you could take it to the transmission specialist and you could find it is a simple problem such as the gearbox might just need new oil.

Hi Phil, my 2011 Camry was the same. The heat is coming from the light bulb that illuminates the shift selections.

From memory the towing capacity is 1200kg which means that only a very small van could be towed. Being FWD even with a fairly heavy trailer on the steering gets very light.

In all honesty, I have no idea but I will try and find out for you, I dont have a tow bar fitted to mine so I never got around to it.
I am looking at selling mine if you know anyone that's interested,
Cheers