Just got a used Yaris. Some help with the small things

[rcvmini]

I just checked the panel 1 fuse and it is fine. So at this point my two dials still don't light up and neither does the gears on the sfter.

Maybe its time to open them up and see if the bulbs are gone?

*** also missing a button on top of the P (parking) position on the sifter knob. what does it do? looks like this link bellow but is missing the button itself

http://www.google.ca/imgres?sa=X&rls...9,r:1,s:0,i:82

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by rcvmini

I just checked the panel 1 fuse and it is fine. So at this point my two dials still don't light up and neither does the gears on the sfter.

Maybe its time to open them up and see if the bulbs are gone?

*** also missing a button on top of the P (parking) position on the sifter knob. what does it do? looks like this link bellow but is missing the button itself

That little button is for moving the shifter when the battery is dead, or you don't have the key for the car.

One other thing to check for those lights is if the dimmer rheostat is turned down all the way.

[rcvmini]

Originally Posted by CTScott

That little button is for moving the shifter when the battery is dead, or you don't have the key for the car.

One other thing to check for those lights is if the dimmer rheostat is turned down all the way.

CTScott - once again thanks. The sifter button can still be pressed its just missing the black top for it.

As for the lights I turn it all the way up and the lights on the dash (speedo etc) light up brighter but no lights on the dial. I think when I get a chance this week I'll open up the panel and see if I can replace the lightbulbs.

*** NEW thing I noticed however is when the car is idling the entire center speedo display and the cabin lights (if on) will pulse..... should I be worried? I hear a bit of squealing for about 1-2 seconds when I turn the ignition could that be causing it?

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by rcvmini

CTScott - once again thanks. The sifter button can still be pressed its just missing the black top for it.

As for the lights I turn it all the way up and the lights on the dash (speedo etc) light up brighter but no lights on the dial. I think when I get a chance this week I'll open up the panel and see if I can replace the lightbulbs.

*** NEW thing I noticed however is when the car is idling the entire center speedo display and the cabin lights (if on) will pulse..... should I be worried? I hear a bit of squealing for about 1-2 seconds when I turn the ignition could that be causing it?

Sounds like the serpentine belt is loose and possible loose enough to be causing the alternator output to not be stable.

[rcvmini]

Originally Posted by CTScott

Sounds like the serpentine belt is loose and possible loose enough to be causing the alternator output to not be stable.

Thought it might be something like that. Is that something I can adjust myself? or maybe its time for a new belt? I'll have a look and see the condition of the belt

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by rcvmini

Thought it might be something like that. Is that something I can adjust myself? or maybe its time for a new belt? I'll have a look and see the condition of the belt

If you run for any period of time with a loose belt it becomes glazed, so your best bet is to simply replace it. They Yaris is pretty easy to change the belt on. The only potential gotcha's are being careful not to apply pressure against the oil control valve (located on the block behind the alternator) when tensioning the belt and watching out for the bottom 14mm bolt of the alternator to be corroded stuck and have it snap when loosening it.