Bought used 2009 Touring-Rust Issues

I've been trying to find out how common techstream is for a non-dealer to own. The place down the street didn't say anything more to me than "bring the car by, we fix all cars". Maybe I can call them back and ask. Otherwise I can drive about two miles to the Toyota dealer if the call goes through this time. Car was driving great and then I turn it back on the next day and there's the red triangle and all that. I'll check the oil after I move it to the street.

 

Shop 200-300 feet away claims they have tech stream. Can look at it in about an hour. Otherwise I made an appointment at the Toyota dealer and the first one they had was Monday morning. This place down the street has great reviews. Figure I can drive 300 feet even if the oil is low.

 

POA72 is the code. Thinks we need to change one of the sensors. Car drove fine over here. Asked them to check the oil level and it is low. Going to check for leaks.

 

I will have to take the car back tomorrow to see about the sensor, but the red triangle and check engine light are off now with the oil change. Also told me he could rebuild the engine on my PT Cruiser for a lot better price than 6-8k, maybe it's good that I haven't gotten around to selling it for $900 or less to Carmax. This guy seems like a stand up person. Told me also that if I keep driving it with a sensor issue that that can cause bigger problems.

 

Well I got the sensor fixed and things were fine, but then the inverter went out and needed to be replaced. I've tried to upload the fluidfilm pics a couple times and it told me there was a problem uploading. With the inverter, I got the red triangle and all the same lights as before with the sensor. Took it to the shop and they told me I could keep driving on the check engine and red triangle and all that and just replace the inverter in two months(Feb). They told me to drive it 20 miles all at once to recharge the battery. So, I adventured around and ended up by the only Cosmc's in the country. Pure luck because I was hoping to hit Aldi and I had no idea I was that close to the one next to Cosmc's. Everything is fine and then I drive somewhere else a couple days later and the energy monitor is showing no energy going towards the wheels and the car symbol has a red line through it and the acceleration rapidly drops when leaving my destination. Car dies and have to have it towed to the shop. They charge the battery thinking that they drained it while they were fixing it. Go to use the car again a couple days later and all the lights are back on and no energy going to the wheels again and it rapidly starts to die but I make it to the shop a few hundred feet from the house. Then they tell me we need to replace the inverter. So, it lasted about two days instead of two months. $1900. They brought in a specialist and car has been working great sense. Told me "everything else is perfect".

I'm definitely curious what you guys think I need to watch out for next in terms of repairs. Thanks for any advice.

 

This mechanic shop doesn't really speak English, but they go above and beyond. Everyone loves them around here. I will have to ask about those codes next time. I'll have to call them today because my oil levels were fine for a few weeks after the last oil change but today there was like no oil on the stick. Just barely there after wiping it off, putting it back in, and checking. But I only ran the car for about a minute. Not sure if that is relevant here.

 

Nothing you could've done. My dad didn't even want to have it inspected before buying. I've read that Toyota got sued over failing inverters, but only for years 2010-2017. If I had gone to this mechanic for the PT Cruiser, I could have had it fixed for less than half of what the other mechanics said. Other mechanics were telling me it would be 8k if they could even find a replacement engine and then it might take weeks. Jasper said there was no stock for it. This guy found a replacement engine and had it fixed within days for 4k. He said the other mechanics probably didn't want to do the work and just priced me out. Radio still don't work though. We got it fixed so we could trade it to someone else for services, then they wanted the car title before they even did any real work for us and the deal fell apart despite us already putting 4k into the car repair. So, now we have to sell it and the mechanic is gonna help with that.

Guess I need to take it back over for him to look at since he did the last oil change or I should figure out how to add the oil myself. I've read you can mess stuff up if you put in too much though.

 

Hey guys, so I wanted to ask about something. When I was stuck in traffic maybe three weeks ago, I started hearing this squealing noise upon releasing the brakes. And it kept going. I stopped the car and walk a forest for an hour or so. Turn it back on, drive, no more squealing. Took it to the mechanic. He told me the serpentine belt was worn and should be replaced. They replaced that and the belt tensioner pulley. Tonight I went to a library and went uphill a little and upon releasing the brakes, more squealing. And again, doesn't stop when not using the brakes at all. Went into the library, came back out, no more squealing. I'm assuming the mechanic checked the brakes and whatever else. So, I'm a bit puzzled. Researching hasn't given me much of an answer yet. But I'd definitely appreciate any ideas you all have.