Auto Repair Articles

Recall Date:     APR 03, 2006

Recall ID # 06V096000 – AIR BAGS

Potential Units Affected: 133

Summary:

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.

Consequence:

THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy:

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. 60B 6LB

QUESTION:

2002 Camry le a/c light on dash flashes occasionally and does not cool. Any Suggestions? Checked freon level OK. Heard it may be a relay? Already Tried: checked freon charge 

ANSWER:

The light flashes because the compressor speed is not matching the engine speed. This is usually caused by something not turning the magnetic clutch on for the compressor. The magnetic clutch relay is usually the most common problem. See the link below.

Technical Service Bulletin

Question:

Which do you think is better, I don’t care about brand just want your opinion, considered diesel but the cost of that is just as bad as regular

Answer:

tough call, I personally like cars that run on E85 but now am seeing stuff in the news about production of E85, so who knows they are cheaper to drive because the cost of that type of gas is cheaper than regular, but Hybrid’s get better gas mileage. I personally was looking at both hybrid vehicles as well as E85 ones, I’d say Chevy Monte Carlo or Impala if you want E85 or like Toyota Camry Hybrid or Prius if you want a Hybrid, or maybe even the Civic Hybrid.

For now the Hybrids are on there 3rd generation (design) so I think I will wait a bit longer to see if they can get the bugs worked out and hopefully get the prices down a bit!

Some 2004-07 Prius hybrids may produce an annoying squeaking sound when the brake pedal is applied or released. Toyota says the noise is most audible when the key is in the Ready mode with the vehicle not moving. It seems that a defective brake actuator assembly is the likely culprit.

Before condemning the actuator, however, try bleeding the brake system. If the noise goes away, you’re done with the fix. If the noise remains after getting out that last belch of air, replace the brake actuator with an upgraded unit, Part No. 44500-47090.

Question:

I have a 1998 Toyota Camry V-6 (1MZ-FE) engine, with automatic transmission, not a California car, that has a check engine light. I took it to the local Advance Auto store and their tester indicated that the O2 sensor heater circuit malfunction (bank 1 sensor 1) had failed. The sensor was replaced and the system was reset by removing the negative battery cable for 5 minutes and then reconnected. After driving a few miles the check engine light came on again. There seems to be a difference of opinion if there are one or two O2 sensors prior to the catalytic converter. What is your suggestion?? 
 

Answer:

There are (2) O2 sensors prior to the catalytic converter. Each sensor is located in the exhaust manifold assembly. One in the front (radiator side) and one in the rear (firewall side). Bank 1 Sensor 1 is the back sensor (firewall side).