Brake Light Nightmare

cre · 02-20-2011, 10:00 PM

Haynes is terrible. Use the online Toyota Service and Repair Manual which Bill just linked to; Or, better yet go buy a physical copy.

Of everything I've done on the MKIII, replacing the window regulator and motor and then realigning and adjusting the windows was probably the most irritating.

Bill UK · 02-20-2011, 10:16 PM

Or download the .pdf from this site Link

supraheelfan · 02-21-2011, 03:51 AM

I'm having trouble with the passenger side window. The whole time I've had the car, the pass. window would roll down but not up, (I have a 87' turbo by the way), and when I hooked the battery directly to the window motor it went up and down. If the switch goes out on the pass. side will that affect the driver side switch? Because it will usually go down when pressed from either switch but not up.

cre · 02-22-2011, 07:12 AM

The passenger switch's circuit runs through the driver's side switch. It's not uncommon for carbon to buildup on the metal rocker contacts in the switch causing a disruption in the flow of current. You may disassemble the switch and lightly sand the contacts and see if that's the sum of the problem... this happens in the passenger side switch too, but if you can't operate it from the driver's side start with that switch.

supraheelfan · 02-22-2011, 07:46 PM

We tried cleaning the contacts of the switches and that was not it , unfortunately. My car has been doing what that guy rj just posted;it has been starting really well since I got a new battery and some new terminals, but starting today it will not crank right away. It takes a few times of turning the key before it starts, and sometimes it starts 5 to 10 times in a row, but then that 6th or 11th try it will not crank. I'm starting to think its my infamous ECU. It is really frustrating not being able to rely on my car ya know.

cre · 02-23-2011, 06:44 AM

Have you checked the battery voltage and tested the alternator? If the old battery took a crap and the only thing you've recently changed I'd be more suspicious of the charging system initially. Check the voltage at the three + supply terminals on the ECU while cranking. If the voltage is dropping below 11v you've got power supply issues... whether or not the ECU is bad, it's power requirements are not being met while cranking.

As for the window, have you taken a meter and followed the supply to see where the loss is?

supraheelfan · 02-24-2011, 03:57 AM

I will try that next time I get a sec. I know I keep asking random questions;However, does anybody out there know exactly how many different types of bushings there are for a mk3 and what would be the best buy and if there is a whole set somewhere I can buy. And some tie rods for that matter too.

02-20-2011, 10:00 PM	#1
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	Haynes is terrible. Use the online Toyota Service and Repair Manual which Bill just linked to; Or, better yet go buy a physical copy. Of everything I've done on the MKIII, replacing the window regulator and motor and then realigning and adjusting the windows was probably the most irritating. __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

02-22-2011, 07:12 AM	#4
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	The passenger switch's circuit runs through the driver's side switch. It's not uncommon for carbon to buildup on the metal rocker contacts in the switch causing a disruption in the flow of current. You may disassemble the switch and lightly sand the contacts and see if that's the sum of the problem... this happens in the passenger side switch too, but if you can't operate it from the driver's side start with that switch. __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

02-23-2011, 06:44 AM	#6
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	Have you checked the battery voltage and tested the alternator? If the old battery took a crap and the only thing you've recently changed I'd be more suspicious of the charging system initially. Check the voltage at the three + supply terminals on the ECU while cranking. If the voltage is dropping below 11v you've got power supply issues... whether or not the ECU is bad, it's power requirements are not being met while cranking. As for the window, have you taken a meter and followed the supply to see where the loss is? __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

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02-20-2011, 10:16 PM	#2
Bill UK AEM EMS Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 891	Or download the .pdf from this site Link

02-21-2011, 03:51 AM	#3
supraheelfan 3" Exhaust Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 178	I'm having trouble with the passenger side window. The whole time I've had the car, the pass. window would roll down but not up, (I have a 87' turbo by the way), and when I hooked the battery directly to the window motor it went up and down. If the switch goes out on the pass. side will that affect the driver side switch? Because it will usually go down when pressed from either switch but not up.

02-22-2011, 07:46 PM	#5
supraheelfan 3" Exhaust Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 178	We tried cleaning the contacts of the switches and that was not it , unfortunately. My car has been doing what that guy rj just posted;it has been starting really well since I got a new battery and some new terminals, but starting today it will not crank right away. It takes a few times of turning the key before it starts, and sometimes it starts 5 to 10 times in a row, but then that 6th or 11th try it will not crank. I'm starting to think its my infamous ECU. It is really frustrating not being able to rely on my car ya know.

02-24-2011, 03:57 AM	#7
supraheelfan 3" Exhaust Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 178	I will try that next time I get a sec. I know I keep asking random questions;However, does anybody out there know exactly how many different types of bushings there are for a mk3 and what would be the best buy and if there is a whole set somewhere I can buy. And some tie rods for that matter too.