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Question: 1994 Toyota Pickup Truck mileage 135,000 The truck has a. standard shift truck and I have a problem. A while back, I had to have my thermostat changed. After the mechanic changed it my temperature gauge would not go up very high. It bugged me. I thought the mechanic may have put a defective or wrong thermostat in, when he installed it. I first went up to buy a new thermostat before I went to fix or look at the problem. When I pulled the thermostat out of the truck, I compared it to the one that I just purchased. The one the mechanic installed was a higher degree temperature than the one I bought which was from my local Toyota dealership. I was so happy, that I figured the problem out, so I changed it. It worked fine for about a month and then, the needle on the gauge gradually stopped going up to where it's supposed to go. I repeated this last scenario of buying the thermostat and replacing it 3 more times and the same thing always happens. Could it be something else? I am at a dead-end and it is cold here in the Northeast in the winter. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer: The chances of three separate thermostats being faulty are extremely remote. We suggest verifying the in-dash temperature gauge using a temporary thermometer in the radiator. It is possible that in-between thermostat changes, your truck lost a small amount of coolant, either externally or internally from the engine which would cause the temperature gauge to fluctuates.

Question: 1990 Toyota Pickup, 2WD mileage: 165,000. I live in CA and this truck has always passed smog with flying colors. It still does as far as emissions are concerned, and runs well too. However, the smog test shop told me my ignition timing was way advanced, and I confirmed it (about 25 degrees). When I adjust it to spec. (5 degrees with the check pins shorted), it barely runs. The timing has never been touched before. How could it run so lousy with the correct timing? Is there something else that has stretched (timing chain?) or is bad, like the throttle position sensor? No engine warning lights have ever come on.

Answer: Check the dampener ring on the crankshaft as it may have slipped or moved giving you a false timing mark. Also, check the timing chain to see if it is off a tooth.

Question: 1986 Toyota Pickup 4x4 mileage: 150,000. I cannot get this truck through smog. The readings are great at Idle, but at 2500 rpm there is 2% CO 30 ppm HC 1% O2 and 13.5% CO2. I know this is a rich running condition. I have changed the 02 sensor, and nothing. Before I replace the carburetor, I wanted to ask you guys. Thanks

Answer: Your carburetor may be the problem, but if you have the original catalytic converter on your truck, you might want to replace that first.

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Question: 1992 Toyota pickup 2.4 4-cyl mileage: 95,000. My auto transmission in my truck doesn't want to shift from 2nd to 3rd and into o/d without lifting my foot off the gas. The fluid was brown and I had a mechanic put in a new filter with a partial fluid change and also added Trans x. This has done nothing for the problem. The problem seems to be much worse in the afternoon than when I first start it in the morning. Any ideas?

Answer: We cannot remember if your transmission is equipped with a vacuum modulator. If it is, replacing it should fix your problem. If you do not have a vacuum modulator, check the throttle pressure cable or rod from the fuel injection throttle body.

Question: 1991 Toyota Truck mileage: 97,000. I need to install a belt to the air conditioner to make it turn. How do I tighten the belt? How tight do I make it?

Answer: It is very hard for us to tell you how tight to tighten the belt, as we just know from feel and experience. However, if you are determined to try, somewhere on the pulley is a tensioner just release the tension and remove the old belt. Install the new belt and tighten it so that there is approximately 1/2 inch of deflection on the longest span between pulleys. Recheck the tension after about 20 minutes running because after the belt breaks in, it may loosen up.

Question: 1994 Toyota Truck mileage: 88,000. When I turn on the lights the voltage drops so low that you can feel it. It returns to normal relatively immediately. The blinker has always turned itself off when you start turning not after the turn is completed. When I have the blinker on you can see the voltage gauge move in unison with the blinker lights. I helped someone start their car with jumper cables and mistakenly attached negative to positive. Alternator tests fine. Thanks

Answer: We would retest your alternator. There are three diodes and it would be our bet that you “cooked” two of the three

Question: 1981 Toyota 2 WD pickup standard 22R _mileage: 142,000. What is vapor lock? How do I fix it? Do I have to pull the carburetor off and completely rebuild it to replace the float? Is there some way to test the fuel pump pressure without taking it to a garage and having it hooked up to gauges? I am having some kind of fuel problem but it does not happen all the time. These are some of the things I think could be wrong. Thanks, Suzie

Answer: Vapor lock occurs when the fuel in the fuel system gets to hot to stay a liquid (boils). Keeping the fuel lines away from the heat (exhaust pipe, etc) will usually stop this from happening. Removing the top of the carburetor is all that is necessary to replace the float. The fuel pump can be tested on the vehicle.

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Question: 1987 Toyota Truck mileage: 187,000. I am simply amazed with these trucks, mine still runs like a top, however: I live in California and the EPA regulations here are very strict. All of my emissions passed with flying colors but I failed the test because my AC idle up is always activated (according to the diagnostics I performed with the engine "short circuit" check engine light [code 11]. Air works great but the idle goes down instead of up when I start the AC. How can I fix the AC Idle up module or disable the AC to pass the smog test? I can only get to 9 degrees BTDC and I need it to go to 3-5 BTDC at idle. I just had a timing chain installed and it is installed correctly. Where is the AC idle up computer and do I have to replace it? The temperature does get hotter than normal in mountain climbs or long hauls, but I suspect it may be because the timing may be to retarded at high speeds. Please advise.

Answer: If you cannot adjust the timing at the distributor, then you should double check the alignment marks on the timing belt sprockets. You should be able to set the AC idle speed with the adjustment screen on the bypass solenoid.

Question: 1986 Toyota pickup mileage: 221,000. Sometimes my truck makes a single click and will not start when I turn the key. Most of the though it starts fine. Also, if the key isn't turned completely out of the start position and the clutch pedal is pressed in the starter will engage.

Answer: Here are some things to check: Load test the battery. Check that the battery cable connections are clean. Check for 12 volts to starter solenoid with the key in the start position. These things should be checked first then the ignition switch, starter and starter solenoid. One of these may be faulty.
 

Question: 1982 Toyota Pickup mileage: 135,000 My 2 wheel drive, 3 speed manual, recently didn't pass smog here in California for an exhaust leak and missing a vacuum hose from what looks like the EGR valve, but there are no hoses that are not hanging anywhere that aren't hooked up. So where do I start? The catalytic converter and muffler and O2 sensor have been replaced recently and are they all good? Help Please!

Answer: You can fabricate a doctor's ear and start at the exhaust manifold all the way to the end side of the C/Converter. You are probably leaking ahead of the converter and not being scrubbed/cleaned and polluting the air. You failed on this one.
The EGR prevents NOx to formed-it is operated by a ported vacuum thru a TVSV/VSV/Transducer, you need to confirm this with the VECI on the hood as per its routing.

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