Flickering Battery Light

[unkit]

Hi all

Thanks for answering all my questions previously, but my car is giving me a few probs, and i'm here to bug u again.

94 Camry CSi (2.2l 4cyl 4sp auto)
1. My battery (charging system) light flickers on for about 30 seconds every time i take it for a short drive (at very slow speeds only)

2. One of my spark plugs died, when i pulled out the lead, the bottom gromet bit of the lead came off in the whole thing. I had to pay a mechanic $66 just to fish the thing out. (apparently 1 hour labour) - are leads really THAT expensive? $130 for the leads and $15 each plug.

I'm planning to keep the car for about another 10 000ks or 6-10 months. Is it necessary/worh getting either of these two things looked at?

I have 250 000ks on the clock, the car does not seem like it has been looked after. There are leaks everywhere, though i love the way it drives.... it is after all an old car. I don't think the timing belt has been done.

If i can get away without spending any extra money on this car, i'd like to. I just had it converted to LPG, and the spark plugs stuffed up straight after. It still sounds like it misses occassionaly.


Is getting regular bosch plugs an alternative? Or will it do some harm to the motor?



PS: anyone able to tell me what colour diff oil is.
Sorry for the rant.

[Barcs]

The flickering battery light is usually the alternator. If you take it to Advance Auto Parts they will do a free alternator test for you.

[Sniperdude]

Originally Posted by unkit

Hi all

Thanks for answering all my questions previously, but my car is giving me a few probs, and i'm here to bug u again.

94 Camry CSi (2.2l 4cyl 4sp auto)
1. My battery (charging system) light flickers on for about 30 seconds every time i take it for a short drive (at very slow speeds only)

2. One of my spark plugs died, when i pulled out the lead, the bottom gromet bit of the lead came off in the whole thing. I had to pay a mechanic $66 just to fish the thing out. (apparently 1 hour labour) - are leads really THAT expensive? $130 for the leads and $15 each plug.

I'm planning to keep the car for about another 10 000ks or 6-10 months. Is it necessary/worh getting either of these two things looked at?

I have 250 000ks on the clock, the car does not seem like it has been looked after. There are leaks everywhere, though i love the way it drives.... it is after all an old car. I don't think the timing belt has been done.

If i can get away without spending any extra money on this car, i'd like to. I just had it converted to LPG, and the spark plugs stuffed up straight after. It still sounds like it misses occassionaly.

Is getting regular bosch plugs an alternative? Or will it do some harm to the motor?

PS: anyone able to tell me what colour diff oil is.
Sorry for the rant.

Okay firstly, your car is a 2.2L 4 Speed automatic (Camry LE).

Have your alternator checked, and check your battery terminals for corrosion, get a volt test on the battery to make sure it's still giving charge.

I had the same thing happen, but my mechanic didn't charge me to get the rubber out. You can do your spark plugs for about 65 bucks. 50 for ignition wires, 10 for 4 NGK Spark plugs. You should probably replace your distributor cap at the time as well.

Differential fluid is transmission fluid (not oil), and should be red, or darker red, depending on how old the fluid in the tranny is.

[95PimpingCamry]

Don't get Bosch plugs, toyota don't like them. If you get new plugs, get Denso or NGK, Iridiums work nice. The diff fluid is regular Dexron III ATF - red. If you feel a misfire, try a new ignition coil, I got one for $35(us) at Advance Auto Parts.

[ASG14]

Originally Posted by Sniperdude

Okay firstly, your car is a 2.2L 4 Speed automatic (Camry LE).

No, it is a CSi. There is no such thing as an LE.


unkit:
1: Chances are, yuor alternator is on it's way out. Have a mechanic/shop do a load test on the alternator to test it. It can be done while still on the car.

2: $130 for leads is average there. I always go OEM though. They are usually more expensive. My friend in QLD is actually goign to have me buy and ship him wires for hin 2VZ Camry when needed because of the price difference.

Get NGK Platinum plugs, which are the ones that originally came with the car. As for the missfire, not sure. Can you give any more specifics on when it happens?

The leaks are normal gaskets/seals. I'm going to guess the Valve Cover is one of them. IF it is the rear main seal, it;s going to cost you over $600.

The Diff fluid is the same as the tranny fluid. Should be red. If it's very very dark, it needs to be change.

The timing belt/ water pump is going to cost you around $600 or more as well I think.

Honestly, if your only keeping this for 10k km, it;s not worth your money to fix most of it. For the same money, you can just buy one in good condition.

Hope this helps!

[Venom_5]

my t-belt + water pump was $800

a note on tranny/diff fluid: in some cases a brand new batch of fluid will turn very dark after one drive due to the fact that these trannys are now pretty old ... so if you change it and its still dark, dont worry - but if its been a while ... a change wont hurt

i have heard that the Bosch plugs dont exactly do the best, at least not with the camry ... if youre not going to get the OEM NGK or Denso's .... get another style of NGK like the V-Power or Iridiums ... but like ASG14 said, get the NGK Platinums if you want to go the safe route and stick with OEM parts

[Sniperdude]

Originally Posted by ASG14

No, it is a CSi. There is no such thing as an LE.

Since the fuck when? I see cars with LE all the time.

[Venom_5]

^remember, he's in Canberra .... which im assuming is Canberra, Aus

[xtremeskier97]

Originally Posted by Sniperdude

Differential fluid is transmission fluid (not oil), and should be red, or darker red, depending on how old the fluid in the tranny is.

In the I4..the differential fluid has nothing to do with the transmission fluid. They are seperate, though they DO use the same type of fluid. You cant check the transmission fluid and assume that the differential fluid was last changed at the same time. You have to check them independently of one another. And yes...tranny 'fluid' is STILL considered an OIL.

Originally Posted by ASG14

No, it is a CSi. There is no such thing as an LE.

Originally Posted by Venom_5

^remember, he's in Canberra .... which im assuming is Canberra, Aus

Regaurdless of where he is...there is STILL an LE model!


And unkit...what do you mean by 'the lead'? Are you talking about the sparkplug wire?

**EDIT**
My bad Venom...meant to quote both...its more directed at ASG14.

[Venom_5]

^ who are you telling?

i have a 1995 Toyota Camry LE

im just saying, maybe there is a CSi but not an LE in Australia ... there Toyota's are slightly different than ours

[ASG14]

When I talk to someone in a different country, I use the terms for thier country, and they did not have an LE, or XLE, or SE for the Gen 3.

Yes, leads are the wires.

[bigbird]

HEY adam...where have u been??

sorry, whoring

[unkit]

Wow, thanks for the lightning fast replies guys.

My question about oil colour was because i am getting a colourless residue wherever I park the car.

Rear main etc leaks have all been fixed... just new ones keep developing.

About the plugs, i guess i might not have phrased it correctly. I don't wanna spend $25 on a plug (that $100 + fitting can go into my new car) so am i better off leaving the existing plugs in there, or should i have them changed to the alchipos?

Though i love the way the car drives, its only a commuter... If i found one in better condition, i might spend the money on it, with this, one, i'm pretty much skimping on everything but the bare essentials.

I have the the oil changed every 5000km, but thats only to keep it going, not to improve it in any way.


As for the CSI vs LE debate. I think the LE's have power windows don't they? In Australia, they like to skimp on everything they can.

[-=]KaiN[=-]

Originally Posted by unkit

Hi all

Thanks for answering all my questions previously, but my car is giving me a few probs, and i'm here to bug u again.

94 Camry CSi (2.2l 4cyl 4sp auto)
1. My battery (charging system) light flickers on for about 30 seconds every time i take it for a short drive (at very slow speeds only)

2. One of my spark plugs died, when i pulled out the lead, the bottom gromet bit of the lead came off in the whole thing. I had to pay a mechanic $66 just to fish the thing out. (apparently 1 hour labour) - are leads really THAT expensive? $130 for the leads and $15 each plug.

I'm planning to keep the car for about another 10 000ks or 6-10 months. Is it necessary/worh getting either of these two things looked at?

I have 250 000ks on the clock, the car does not seem like it has been looked after. There are leaks everywhere, though i love the way it drives.... it is after all an old car. I don't think the timing belt has been done.

If i can get away without spending any extra money on this car, i'd like to. I just had it converted to LPG, and the spark plugs stuffed up straight after. It still sounds like it misses occassionaly.


Is getting regular bosch plugs an alternative? Or will it do some harm to the motor?



PS: anyone able to tell me what colour diff oil is.
Sorry for the rant.

No bosch plugs....denso or ngk only, diff fluid is dexron atf type 3 and your alternator needs brushes. Much cheaper to put a brush kit and holder in than buy an aftermarket alternator that won't last as long as your factory one anyway.

[95PimpingCamry]

Originally Posted by unkit

Wow, thanks for the lightning fast replies guys.

My question about oil colour was because i am getting a colourless residue wherever I park the car.

Rear main etc leaks have all been fixed... just new ones keep developing.

About the plugs, i guess i might not have phrased it correctly. I don't wanna spend $25 on a plug (that $100 + fitting can go into my new car) so am i better off leaving the existing plugs in there, or should i have them changed to the alchipos?

Though i love the way the car drives, its only a commuter... If i found one in better condition, i might spend the money on it, with this, one, i'm pretty much skimping on everything but the bare essentials.

I have the the oil changed every 5000km, but thats only to keep it going, not to improve it in any way.


As for the CSI vs LE debate. I think the LE's have power windows don't they? In Australia, they like to skimp on everything they can.

I can get 4 NGK Laser Iridium spark plugs for $28(US$) or 4 NGK Platinum plugs for $12(US$). On my '95 Camry LE I have power windows, locks, and mirrors, and my car has NO added options.