98 Avalon xl questions - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

seturner · 10-27-2008, 09:09 AM

Hello all,

I just got a 98 Avalon XL with 106k miles. I have a couple of questions and a problem.

first, it has manual AC controls and a console mounted shifter. Are either of these supposed to be illuminated when headlights are on? The radio buttons light up, but none of the three dials on the AC controls have lights, and the letters on the shifter do not illuminate either, totally dark.

Also, I have very loud rattling and clunking seeming to come from front passenger side, particularly when car is first driven. The noise seems to correspond to bumps, but even very small bumps cause rattling and clunking.
It literally sounds light something is about to fall off. I have some clunking but no rattling on front driver side, but only on significant bumps.

Lastly, how do I tell if I have ABS?

Thank You,
Scott

***new echo owner*** · 10-27-2008, 09:16 AM

As far as I know there are illumination bulbs for the items you have listed.

The rattle is possibly from your upper strut mounts if they are noisy when go over bumps.

There will be a yellow ABS light on the dash when you turn the key on if you have ABS, and if the light is not working, the ABS actuator is by the coolant reservoir.

N.E.O.

TedL · 10-31-2008, 08:09 PM

I just got a 99, and have been annoyed by rattles from the glove box area. Pulled the filler panel from below the glove box area. Turns out that several connectors were loose enough to bump into the glove box on bumps. Taped some bubble wrap around them, and no more rattle.

rbw59 · 11-02-2008, 07:04 PM

The Noise most everyone complains about is the shock mounts in the front, tighten very tight and the noise will go away..

4schus · 12-25-2008, 06:33 PM

I have a 1998 Avalon. I have found the noise in the R front coming from a wire that goes from the under hood area near the firewall, through a hole, going above the inner fender over the front tire on the right. It rubs on the top of the inner fender and make a lot noise inside the car when you hit bumps. Tie the wire up and see if the joise goes away. If so, you may have to pull the inner fender out and tie the wire under the inner fender. Good luck.

cexsiman · 12-25-2008, 09:47 PM

i have the same problem in my 98 with 96k. im almost 100% positive its the suspension, weather its the strut plate/bushing/mount/bearing i dont know, but i do know that its coming from the front right strut tower and i have tried to tighten the bolts, but none were loose to begin with. its coming down to a suspension replacement soon, its way way overdue to begin with. and yes there are bulbs that you can replace for the shifter light, the trim pops off, its hard and it feels like it will break, but i assure you it comes up and there is just a small bulb to replace. check to see if it is a wire, its much cheaper, lol.

mine happens and is louder in the cold, if the car is warm, i really dont hear anything, hope that helps.

seturner · 12-26-2008, 10:37 AM

Thanks for the input. I have since replaced all the bulbs and totally eliminated the rattling in the suspension by installing a new OEM right front strut mount and bearings. I also have replaced both valve cover gaskets to hopefully stop an oil leak. That rear gasket took a couple of years off of my life!