How can I tell if the dashboard was out of the car?

colin172 · 05-16-2007, 11:02 PM

I had my Supra at my Toyota main dealer to sort out the common heating problem. They charged me for taking the dashboard out but I then had the car with a specialist who said the dash was never out of the car.

How can I tell if the dash has been out or not?

IHateHacks · 05-17-2007, 01:42 AM

If you can't work on a MK3 supra yourself and you have to take it to "specialists" to "fix" it then you, my friend, should just pack it up and lease a new saturn or a ford something cheap and with a 100K mile warranty.

Theres no way you can tell if the dash has been off unless you did it yourself.

As the old saying goes, if you want something done right, do it yourself.

And don't forget that these cars come stock with a blown head gasket right off the dealer lot. That would explain why you don't get any heat from your heater core. And no theres no way to tell if the head has been off either, unless you did it yourself. Block testers are your friend.....

supramacist · 05-17-2007, 01:45 AM

Look at the screws. Remove it yourself. You'll be able to tell if anyone has been there before you.

Supra2NR · 05-17-2007, 01:48 AM

look for missing screws,
on a odd chance maybe they forgot to put it back
but other than that
even if the dealer ddnt open it up
unless ur the first owner of the car, somebody else could have opened it up b4 u

supramacist · 05-17-2007, 01:50 AM

I just tend to do $hit the hard way.

mrnickleye · 05-17-2007, 04:13 AM

What did they say they did to help your problem??
Replace the heater core??

Fix some flapper doors??

colin172 · 05-17-2007, 08:03 AM

Basically the heat did not come on. The heater control panel turns out to be the problem. The dealer did not replace the panel but instead bypassed the heater control valve in the engine bay. They said they cleaned out the heater matrix and had to take the dashboard to do this.

But when I had the car in with a Supra specialist they said the dash was never out as the screws had the original paint still on them and also the wiring looms/harnesses had not been disturbed. I feel ripped off by the main Toyota dealer. Any advise guys??

Kuban · 05-17-2007, 08:24 AM

go cry, and get urself a tsrm. Go to harbor frieght, pick up a basic wrech/socket set for 200$ TOPS. And start your own work.

supramacist · 05-17-2007, 02:13 PM

I do everything I can to my car and I attempt things I shouldn't because the only thing you ever know is that you never know.

I won't let the dealer touch my ride Capital F those guys.
I take mine to a couple of former nissan mechanics that have their own shop.

Supra_87_mk3 · 05-17-2007, 04:55 PM

i hafto agree w/ everyone.. if you have an mk3 you need to know your shit or have the will to try b/c these cars are unlike any other car you will own and if you pay to have it fixed you are gunna get screwed.

now to add to your topic. being a body man you look for a few things.. but like what was already said anyone b4 you could have had it out and you wouldn't know...its a 20 yr old car it was out at one point.

1st paint chips on factory bolts
2nd loose or missing screws
3rd screws or bolts in wrong place.
4th screwdriver marks around the holes..
5th carpet folded over wrong.
anything out off place will let you know.

05-16-2007, 11:02 PM	#1
colin172 Stock Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 20	How can I tell if the dashboard was out of the car? I had my Supra at my Toyota main dealer to sort out the common heating problem. They charged me for taking the dashboard out but I then had the car with a specialist who said the dash was never out of the car. How can I tell if the dash has been out or not?

05-17-2007, 01:48 AM	#4
Supra2NR 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chi-Town Posts: 1,643	look for missing screws, on a odd chance maybe they forgot to put it back but other than that even if the dealer ddnt open it up unless ur the first owner of the car, somebody else could have opened it up b4 u __________________ http://www.myspace.com/supra_2nr Into Bikes now,, apparently the supra couldnt kill me, so my zx6 might lol

05-17-2007, 04:13 AM	#6
mrnickleye 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mojave Desert, Calif. Posts: 1,705	What did they say they did to help your problem?? Replace the heater core?? Fix some flapper doors?? __________________ Had a Red 1989 N/A. Automatic. Sports Pkg. w/wing. TEMS, and some nice MODS. Sold to a friend 10/08/08.

05-17-2007, 08:24 AM	#8
Kuban 3" Exhaust Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 174	go cry, and get urself a tsrm. Go to harbor frieght, pick up a basic wrech/socket set for 200$ TOPS. And start your own work. __________________ -868 Miles on new jasper engine -All hard pipes -0.57 trim ct-26 -greddy type S -greddy profec b -apexi ride high 7 way adjustables -eibach springs -slotted rotors -mkIV TT rims (front)245/45/17 (rear)285/40/17 -targa -greddy turbo timer -egr eliminated -3" turbo back, no cat, no resonator, Apexi N1 back. -n/a cams Theres others ill think of later.

05-17-2007, 04:55 PM	#10
Supra_87_mk3 3" Exhaust Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: tiffin ohio Posts: 76	i hafto agree w/ everyone.. if you have an mk3 you need to know your shit or have the will to try b/c these cars are unlike any other car you will own and if you pay to have it fixed you are gunna get screwed. now to add to your topic. being a body man you look for a few things.. but like what was already said anyone b4 you could have had it out and you wouldn't know...its a 20 yr old car it was out at one point. 1st paint chips on factory bolts 2nd loose or missing screws 3rd screws or bolts in wrong place. 4th screwdriver marks around the holes.. 5th carpet folded over wrong. anything out off place will let you know. __________________ My 1989 toyota supra mods:83.5 mm bore, ARP main studs, ARP rod bolts,rings, Cometic .060" headgasket, ARP head Studs, Ferra 1 mm oversized valves, port work, Rc 550cc injectors, Walbro 255hp Turbo: 1.15 A/R T4 twin Scroll turbin - journal .60 A/R compressor, Hallman Pro MBC, Turbo XS Blow-off Valve, 50mm wastegate, hks fcd Intercooler: 32x12x3 core, 3 inch piping, with clampco t-bolt clamps Exhaust:Exhaust manifold T4 twin scroll,2JZ 3 inch downpipe Fabed up to fit, Mandrell bent 3in back

05-17-2007, 01:42 AM	#2
IHateHacks 20psi boost Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Haven/Hamden Posts: 793	If you can't work on a MK3 supra yourself and you have to take it to "specialists" to "fix" it then you, my friend, should just pack it up and lease a new saturn or a ford something cheap and with a 100K mile warranty. Theres no way you can tell if the dash has been off unless you did it yourself. As the old saying goes, if you want something done right, do it yourself. And don't forget that these cars come stock with a blown head gasket right off the dealer lot. That would explain why you don't get any heat from your heater core. And no theres no way to tell if the head has been off either, unless you did it yourself. Block testers are your friend.....

05-17-2007, 01:45 AM	#3
supramacist 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Escape from the Prison Planet Posts: 1,356	Look at the screws. Remove it yourself. You'll be able to tell if anyone has been there before you.

05-17-2007, 01:50 AM	#5
supramacist 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Escape from the Prison Planet Posts: 1,356	I just tend to do $hit the hard way.

05-17-2007, 08:03 AM	#7
colin172 Stock Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 20	Basically the heat did not come on. The heater control panel turns out to be the problem. The dealer did not replace the panel but instead bypassed the heater control valve in the engine bay. They said they cleaned out the heater matrix and had to take the dashboard to do this. But when I had the car in with a Supra specialist they said the dash was never out as the screws had the original paint still on them and also the wiring looms/harnesses had not been disturbed. I feel ripped off by the main Toyota dealer. Any advise guys??

05-17-2007, 02:13 PM	#9
supramacist 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Escape from the Prison Planet Posts: 1,356	I do everything I can to my car and I attempt things I shouldn't because the only thing you ever know is that you never know. I won't let the dealer touch my ride Capital F those guys. I take mine to a couple of former nissan mechanics that have their own shop.

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