Helps to have Friends in the Auto Industry

[Hugh R]

Today, my 04 Highlander started doing weird things, the traction control light came on, and a buzzer started dinging and loss of power. Called the dealer service tech and he said it might be a clogged sensor or something, but bring it in. Called one of my BIL's who works for QA/QC for Toyota USA in Torrance, CA. After a few minutes he calls me back with the Head of QA/QC for Toyota USA on the line as well. He (the big guy) says he's called the local dealer and to expect my car this afternoon and perform TSB WXYZ which is a zero calibration of some traction control sensor for that model year and please report back to him, the big guy and whether or not that was the issue. I don't think I'm going to have to pay for this issue. Not bad on a car with 75K on the clock and out of warranty.

Sometimes an in-law can be a help.

[A930Rocket]

I wish BIL was a help, but Stan the Man is a LOSER...

[Neilk]

Good thing Sniper left the board... He would have some kind of rant about your BIL.

It would be interesting to hear your BIL's unofficial thoughts on the whole unintended acceleration issue.

[Hugh R]

How did you know my BIL's name is actually Stan?

His feeling is Toyota was so sure that it wasn't a problem that they handled the PR and reporting poorly. He says they really, really respond now. Toyota couldn't ever replicate the acceleration issue, other than the issue about the floor mats and the shaving off of 1/2" of the bottom of the pedal. I've been through some of Toyota USA's QA/QC lab and I remember years ago with a Toyota Solara (I think) they had ONE car with a trannie problem and investigated and a few weeks later they had an identical issue with another one, and it went straight to the top management in Japan immediately.

[911boost]

Good news Hugh.

I work with Toyota on a daily basis, and it is interesting to see the amount of QC that goes on in one of the plants.

Bill

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

How did you know my BIL's name is actually Stan?

His feeling is Toyota was so sure that it wasn't a problem that they handled the PR and reporting poorly. He says they really, really respond now. Toyota couldn't ever replicate the acceleration issue, other than the issue about the floor mats and the shaving off of 1/2" of the bottom of the pedal. I've been through some of Toyota USA's QA/QC lab and I remember years ago with a Toyota Solara (I think) they had ONE car with a trannie problem and investigated and a few weeks later they had an identical issue with another one, and it went straight to the top management in Japan immediately.

As far as the sudden accelleration issue is concerned, I could agree.

But, the whole thing made me look into the design of the Prius brakes and I will not set foot into a Prius now.

[pete3799]

I guess i'm stumped on my highlander problem.
When first started it squeals like a belt is slipping.
So i changed both belts (it's an 01) the old ones looked fine when i removed them.
Spun the alt., a/c and power steering with the belts off and all seam fine.
Put on new belts and it still squeals. Even tried belt dressing on them to no avail.
Any ideas?
Wish i could find a Toyota forum as good as Pelican.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by pete3799

I guess i'm stumped on my highlander problem.
When first started it squeals like a belt is slipping.
So i changed both belts (it's an 01) the old ones looked fine when i removed them.
Spun the alt., a/c and power steering with the belts off and all seam fine.
Put on new belts and it still squeals. Even tried belt dressing on them to no avail.
Any ideas?
Wish i could find a Toyota forum as good as Pelican.

Mind you, I'm a mechanical idiot but could it be that the belts are putting pressure on the hubs and pulling the pulley out of alignment causing the squeal?

[billybek]

Originally Posted by pete3799

I guess i'm stumped on my highlander problem.
When first started it squeals like a belt is slipping.
So i changed both belts (it's an 01) the old ones looked fine when i removed them.
Spun the alt., a/c and power steering with the belts off and all seam fine.
Put on new belts and it still squeals. Even tried belt dressing on them to no avail.
Any ideas?
Wish i could find a Toyota forum as good as Pelican.

Maybe barking up the wrong tree but check your power steering fluid.

[A930Rocket]

That's my BIL's name.

Glad your BIL was able to help you out.

Originally Posted by Hugh R

How did you know my BIL's name is actually Stan?

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by pete3799

Wish i could find a Toyota forum as good as Pelican.

Not as good, but

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/