Just got a used 92 Celica GT and I need help

[Spidy]

3 major problems with the car.

1) When I floor the accelerator the hand brake indicator light turns on (and my hand brake is at the release position). Why is that?

2) There was a crack in the radiator which I patched up with fibre glass, however the car still over heats after idling for 2 hours is that normal or should I go and replace my radiator?

3) I am really skinny and don't want the steering wheel to pop up and down everytime I get in and out of the car. Is there a way to disable the function if not can you just tell me so I don't research any further with this.

Thank you in advance for all ur help.

[PhantomS]

Originally Posted by Spidy

3 major problems with the car.

1) When I floor the accelerator the hand brake indicator light turns on (and my hand brake is at the release position). Why is that?

2) There was a crack in the radiator which I patched up with fibre glass, however the car still over heats after idling for 2 hours is that normal or should I go and replace my radiator?

3) I am really skinny and don't want the steering wheel to pop up and down everytime I get in and out of the car. Is there a way to disable the function if not can you just tell me so I don't research any further with this.

Thank you in advance for all ur help.

Hmmmmmmm........here's a few of my thoughts, fwtw......
1) I've had this happen on occasion in the past (with an Oldsmobile) and it turned out to be an indication of low brake fluid - the fluid sloshing at a low level made the light go on. If it only happens when you floor it, this may be your problem.....check your brake fluid, add if needed, and maybe get them checked if the level is full already.

2) Ummmmm, dunno if that's normal as I've never had a car idle for 2 hours..... could be perfectly normal, as cars are meant to have airflow through the radiator (and the little electric fans that kick in when idling don't replicate actual driving air temps/volumes...don't idle your car so long. Perhaps check your thermostat...

3) Dunno.....my '92 GT convertible steering wheel doesn't "pop up and down everytime I get in and out of the car," only when I use the tilt lever on the steering column, so sorry....can offer no advice on that one.

Hopefully someone else will chime in with more/better ideas

[Spidy]

Thank you for ur comments ....I will add brake fluid and see how it goes.

[PhantomS]

Originally Posted by Spidy

Thank you for ur comments ....I will add brake fluid and see how it goes.

Only add it if needed....I don't think it's a good thing to overfill. Hopefully that's it, but if the fluid got that low (to signal) then your pads may be pretty worn down - I would check that too. Brakes are a very good thing to keep working well

[hachi-rocu]

Alright here is what you want to hear:


1. If this is for the Handbrake Light: Does the handbrake actually work? Sometimes when they are loose or broken and can move around the little switch for the light can be triggered. Try flooring it with your hand holding it down.

2. I dont know if the hole has been filled properly. Did you refill the coolant and bleed out all the air. Do you still have coolant in the car after 2 hours. We need to know more details.

3. On the side or bottom of the steering wheel there should be lever that controls the tilt function of the steering wheel. Make sure this is locked in. Does the steering wheel just move by itself?

[ELCelica]

hmm...
1. as someone else said, check brake fluid, possibly adjust the brake cable (cuz my 93 seems quite loose, requires a bit extra tug to get it)
2. kinda need more details here, but check to make sure it was fixed correctly, see if you still have coolant left when it overheats, and check the thermostat. it could be many things. If you do need a radiator replacement, get a TRD N-type radiator cap, while I haven't had this problem, it's been helping my Celica runn smoother
3. huh? my steering wheel doesn't wobble, check to make sure you aren't hitting the tilt lever on the left side of the wheel every time you get in/out.

[shant]

3) i know what you mean about the stearing wheel .. it happends when you put your key in and out .. in my guess there must be a fuse for that

[ELCelica]

wait are you talking about having the steering wheel lock and then troubles with turning the key? just don't turn the wheel with no power accessories on, and if that doesn't solve it, then check for something, but it might need to be looked at. idk

[Spidy]

1. I have bleed the brake fluid and top it up again but still it does that. And the hand brakes work. The car actually goes fine other then the light just turns on some weird wiring problem I guess. I am not going to pull out my dash board to look at something that is not that major.

[Spidy]

2. I replaced my radiator with an used rad that I brought for $50 CAD and it works great now....no over heating and I am no longer afraid of turning on my A/C haha...

3. I think it is a fuse thing too I will take a look at this in the weekend and see which fuse it is and see what other components are there that goes with this fuse. I know that probably some of u guys who know what I am talking about with the tilt steering wheel might want this function turned off too rite? I will let u guys know when I figure it out.

[aero92]

Brake thing happened to me when I bought the same car.
If your car doesn't have ABS it's the brake proportioning Valve. It needs to be leveled off correctly. This is the reason why it only turns on once in a while. It's located next to the Master Cylinder. Have someone help you to bleed the rear brakes and then gently tap it to reseat the valve. This will probably turn the light off. If this doesn't fix it, your master cylinder or brake pads are going.

As for overheating, at the bottom of the radiator is the Coolant Temperature Switch, when the TEMP needle goes a little bit more than 1/2 way, fan must turn on.
With the engine OFF disconnect this switch start engine and see if Fan blows air with Force (no force or nothing happens its the fan).
Good Luck!!