Extended Warranty for the Combination Meter

thanks, sounds like the way to go.

 

This is taking advantage of a warranty campaign while it's in effect, before you end up paying for it later. The time of taking it apart, sending the defective part to get fixed, putting it back together, all while never having done it before, would be something that most rational people won't want to take on.

You can keep your pride, I'll be the lying American taking the free repair and save the $1300 that the dealer will charge me later. To me when Toyota extends the warranty out 9 years, that means there's something wrong with the part.

 

I might just ask them to replace because I am worried about it. See what they say.

 

I told them I was worried about it just last week. I bought the car for my son to drive because of all the safety features. But when the speedometer, back up camera, fuel gauge, etc are all nonfunctional AND the car won't shut off... well, just don't get angry (like I did) when Toyota customer service says, "Sorry", no matter your approach.

Doug

 

Why would you get angry with Toyota for not fixing your 11 year old car for free? At what point do you think repairs should become the owners responsibility to pay for and not the dealers?

 

Why would I get angry? Let's start with the fact that the part didn't just wear out. It didn't fail because of age. And I, nor the previous owners, didn't break it through neglect or action. Yeah, sure it's a 10 year old car. But it's not a part that's not supposed to wear out like a door hinge or struts. Come on. The truth is that Toyota itself identified this problem as a manufacturing defect in a TSB - and covered the fix with a NEW replacement part up until a year ago. Why put a time limit of 9 years? Does Toyota think 9 years is the lifespan of their cars? I wasn't asking them to fix it for free, by the way. My dealer said that Toyota had authorized discounted repairs in instances like this in the past, but Toyota passed.

To me, Matt, it's a safety issue more than anything. The back up camera doesn't work. The car doesn't shut off. I'm a father who took the time and effort to search for a car to buy that would be safe for my son to drive. Coincidentally, at 11 pm last night he called me after he ran out of gas because, as we all know, the gas gauge doesn't work when the module is out. I'm just happy it didn't happen where he might have gotten hit by another car. And, yes, it's an expensive repair as I find myself looking at a repair bill as much as a fifth of the value of the car - unless I do it myself (which is why I am grateful for the time and effort you and others have put in on the other thread). So, yeah, I'm angry, frustrated and disappointed in a company that half assed stands behind their work, especially when safety is at stake.

 

OK Ill have to add my repair denial to the mix, I am 10 weeks over the extended warranty period.. If the info had been on Toyotas web site next to the recalls I could of had it fixed months ago when the problem first started.. of course they just replaced my brake actuator for free 3 weeks ago so I cant be to mad they didn't offer a free repair this time.. to be honest for an 08 Im disappointed with all these expensive defects, I drove my 05 like a work truck and it barely whimpered and had over 230,000 miles.. my 08 seems to be shit at 150.. even the JBL amp died recently

 

my daughters 2008 just did it the first time today, coincidental to the 12v dying overnight. i think it's a few months over 9 years.

 

contact Matt at texas hybrids here on PC.. great guy, gives a discount for members, easy to replace with help from a youtube video.. took me under an hour..

 

thanks, will do!

 

this was the video i followed

 

wow, no wonder there is so much rattling.

 

Funny you should mention that, I have just been noticing of late that there are a lot of reports where there seems to be a correlation between removing the 12 V from the car (when the battery is changed, for example) and the CM becoming flakey. I guess that must exacerbate the already failing capacitors in the power up circuit, or something.

 

after a 12 degree night, the car wouldn't start. so i put a charger on it, and the next day it fired up but no cm.
took it to the local mech, and had to hold the power button to shut it down.
told the tech, in case he had trouble, but when he pulled it into the garage, the cm was working.

 

Pretty typical CM failure symptoms. You can probably keep that up for quite a while before it quits permanently. You can teach your daughter the disconnect at the 12 V battery technique, in the interim.

As BB said, Matt @Texas Hybrid Batteries is your next port of call.

 

honestly, after looking at the dash removal, my next call is someone else who is willing to do it.

 

dont be a chicken! it seems overwhelming but in reality it wasnt that bad... i did break two of the plastic ac vents but that is because my car has been baking in the florida sun for a decade and all the plastic has become brittle... 9 bucks at the junk yard and they have been replaced.. the key is not to disturb the mice living in the dash during mating season.. JUST DO IT!

 

thats just the mice.. the noise will stop when they die

 

maybe if i were in florida. 6 degrees here this morning, and -3 tomorrow.

 

the cold will make you work faster... but I know what you mean.. I just went jet skiing in the gulf of mexico and going to hooters for lunch dock side.. AHHH winter has arrived.