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Camry & Solara Lounge Discussion area for every generation of Toyota's family car, the Toyota Camry. Lexus ES250/300 owners welcome! Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance and more.

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Old 12-29-2004, 10:01 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Long, Sad, Expensive, and Unresolved

Hello, This is my first post and I hope I'm in the right place. I do not work on my own car, but desperately need some help from those who do.

I have a 97 Camry, ca. 70,000 miles--never had a moment's trouble with the car. I've had all routine maintenance performed at recommended intervals.

On Oct 25, I was rear ended at quite a clip--$3000 worth of body damage, but no apparent mechanical issues. On Oct 28, the "check" indicator came on. I didn't connect it to the accident and had my mechanic look at it. He diagnosed it as an evaporator solenoid and fixed it (lotta money). At the same time, he installed a fading battery. A few days later, the check indicator came back on and they diagnosed it as a vapor canister issue. I didn't have it fixed, not trusting the mechanic. A few days later, I had several episodes of the car losing all power a few seconds after I turned it on. The clock would go off and the radio stations would be rest and the check indicator would go off--but go back on a few days later. I took it to mechanic # 2, who said the power problems were simply a result of loose tewrminals on the battery that had just been installed. They tightened them, and the power problems went away. When the check indicator came on, they diagnosed it as a vapor canister issue and fixed it. On Dec 26, the check indicator came on again. At the same time (and occurring only when I turned the headlights on), the rear headlight indicator went on (even though my rear headlights were fine) and the R for REVERSE indicator stayed lit even when I was in Park or Drive. Mechanic diagnosed it as a neutral safety switch and fixed it (lotta money). One day later, the check indicator and rear headlight and R indicators were lit again. I can ill afford the money this is costing me and I am heartsick after dealing with this for two months. I tried to get reimbursement from the rear ender's insurance but they said that the evaporator solenoid and vapor canister and neutral safety switch were beyond the reach of a rear end impact. I welcome advice, comments, etc. Thanks much.
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Old 12-29-2004, 10:05 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Cool

Shove it down their throat that the impact is enough to cause sensors to be destroyed.



AFA the problems, sorry man. From now on take the car to Autozone and let them scan trouble codes before you go off to a mechanic. 95% of chain parts stores do services like that for free.
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Old 12-29-2004, 10:30 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Your battery/power issue has been resolved so you are looking at your mysterious back lights/Reverse/Check engine lights malady.
Like Toysrme stated, get the trouble codes scanned. I would clear them first.

Sounds like you have a short. Since you got rear ended, I would start tracing in that area. If the reverse light, tail light and check indicator come on only when you turn headlights, it is in that circuit. They might have reused your old harness back there. I would hate to think they cut and spliced wires back incorrectly.
Can't blame mechanics either, they only work the symptoms. Hope you find resolution.
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Old 12-30-2004, 02:22 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Why not take the car back to the body shop that did the rear end work and complain to them about the reverse light problem. It isn't that long ago that they did the work back there. Tell them this is the first chance you have had to get back to them.

Also, check all your light bulbs in the back including the high mounted stop light. Many people forget about that one. Have someone turn on the lights and then wait until you get to the back of the car and then apply the brake pedal. Look at all the brake lights and see if any of them do not get brighter. The 2nd filament of any of the brake lights could have burned out.

Good luck.

Mike
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