deevine_23

It was the battery guys.... I replaced the battery right then and there. Other auto-electricians in my area were charging $22-$30 to test the battery/alternator/starter ... one of them saying it would take them at least 30mins to an hour to diagnose. Thanks for pointing me to Battery WOrld.

Oh sorry, I thought I had answered kenshin's questions... * the interior lights don't fade and they all work ... BUT I do remember the lights on the dashboard have faded once in the past ... but not recently. * "1) how old is your battery. Batteries usually last 3 to 4 years. There is a marker when ur battery was fitted in the battery" 270306A is the only number I found on the battery. Will have a look for the closest battery world near me.

When I turn the ignition on, it'll make a noise and lose 'charge', then upon the next turn of the ignition, it'll make a noise and lose more charge, until all you can hear is the clicking sounds ... It's become more frequent in the last few weeks that I've had to get a jump start or charge my battery [with my step-dad's battery charging thing] before I can get my car to run. Initially, it would 'die' on me within a week ... now it's within every 2nd day ... to now, practically almost every morning. I was going to buy a battery today and get my cousin to fit it in ... but last night, while driving home I noticed the lights flicker [this has happened twice since I bought the car 2 years ago]. I haven't noticed my headlights getting brighter (yet?). I have, however, noticed some loss of power when driving. The first time I noticed this was months ago, but I didn't think it would be the alternator. I would have thought that the last time I had my car serviced, that they would have done some tests to make sure the whole engine was working fine etc [i had a major service the last time I brought it into the garage]. The last time I thought my car was losing power was when I was driving on the freeway, when it felt like it was a bit of an effort for my car to get from 60km p/h onward ... but I wasn't quite sure if I was noticing correctly as I had the music up. As for whether the flickering lights happen randomly ... it does actually happen randomly. It doesn't necessarily happen during revving or slowing down or whatever ... and it hasn't happened often enough for me to think much of it. Also, by flickering I mean that my lights go out and back on for a split second. So if I do end up bringing it to a Toyota service center, they'll be able to recondition the alternator? *this is why I need a man ...... among other things*

*sigh* ... Toyota quoted me $805 for a new "alternator, parts and labour". Is that about right ... and does anyone know other places to get Toyota alternators, new or reconditioned?

My lights flickered this evening ...... does that still indicate a dead battery??

Maybe its time to replace it with a new one, as your current battery is not holding charge. :) .... thanks. I tend to think the worst :)

It wasn't dead though ... just didn't have enough charge to start the car. And I heard a little 'clunk' right after i tried to start it.

Ok ... before heading out today, my car would not start again. Except this time, I heard a little 'clunky' sound at the end of trying to start it. Once I got my car running, I noticed that the radio presets had been resetted [something that hadn't happened the other time that the car wouldn't start] .......... Does that give any more indication of where the problem may be??

I'm in St Marys. And got the quote from Penrith Toyota and Lander [blacktown] Toyota. TSC1 = Penrith TSC2 = Blacktown

LOL. I don't know about actually doing it myself ... but I definitely like to know how things work. I have cousins and uncles who are very good with cars. They've all showed me a thing or two ... And despite my ex hubby being pretty shonky with cars, I watched him practically do everything. From changing the oil filter to changing suspensions to changing tyres. But I am comfortable to leave that type of work to the guy.

Thank you all for your bits of info... I'm in Sydney's Western Suburbs ... so if anyone knows of a reliable and honest mechanic out this way, please be so kind as to share :D ... I think I might ask around as well. I like the idea of buying the parts myself and getting a mechanic to do the job ... I didn't think about that.

Appreciating the tips :) TSC 1 just emailed me back and said that his quote does include parts, fluids and labour. As for the alternator/battery issue ... he states "A replacement alternator, parts and labour would $805.00 and a replacement starter motor $455.00 incl labour." I don't know if that sounds about right. I've been thinking of going to a non TSC to do my servicing but haven't been quite sure if that'd be good for my car? If there's no harm in going to a non Toyota Service Centre for my services, I might as well go and get a few other quotes. Ta guys.

Hi guys, I need some opinions and what not... My 2006 Corolla is due for a 100,000km service. I've gotten 2 quotes from two different Toyota Service centres; One of which I had gone to before. TSC 1 = $280 TSC 2 = $592 Now, I don't understand why there's a big difference in the quotes for the servioe. Wouldn't they be doing the same thing? TSC 2 said that they could do it for $280 but that it wouldn't include spark plugs/rotate and balance of wheels or oil flush. I guess I just don't want to be forking out money when unnecessary etc ... I don't want to get ripped off simply because I'm a chic. Now, on another issue... The other day my car wouldn't start. The way it happened led me to believe that it was the alternator or something ... but here's what happened. I got in the car [first use of the car for the whole day]. Started the car and drove to my destination. I drove non-stop for about 15mins before I got to where I needed to be. I turned the ignition off. Got out of the car and walked off. Literally less than a minute, I walked back to my car. Got in and started the car ... at least, I tried to start it. The lights came on and there was a little bit of charge, but not enough to start the car. I waited about an hour before trying again but it still wouldn't start. So I had to get a jump start from a guy. When I jump started it, it was simply for a start. I didn't have to charge the battery a little while before it could start. Anyway, what do you think the problem is? TSC 1 says that he thinks it's the battery and if so, that would cost me $170. TSC 2 says he would rather diagnose the problem in the garage first. I'm asking simply because I don't want to get ripped off. So I'd like to know enough info etc. Thanks guys. I know it's pretty long ... but your opinions will be appreciated :)

I didn't actually fit the pads in myself. My step-father [ex diesel mech and toyota lover] fitted genuine toyota brakes for me [as he usually does]. He's fairly pedantic about doing things right when it comes to cars, so I would assume they were fitted in properly. It is the same type of squeaking as it was making prior to the brakes being replaced, except it's slightly louder.

Hi. I was getting some minor squeaking noise a number of weeks ago, so i got my brakes replaced [the front ones only needed replacing]. But I still get the squeaking noise, but slightly louder. And it usually happens when I haven't used the car in a few hours, or in the mornings. And it only happens when I reverse. I don't understand what it could be.

Much Appreciated. :)

Ummmmmmmmm... your topic title is extremely vague. Going by your profile, you have a ZZE-122 Ascent, ABS was a factory option on that model Ascent, are you sure you even have ABS fitted? 99.999999% of ZZE-122s that came into this country don't have ABS, regardless of Japanese or Seth Efrikan build. No you're right. I just read through some other documents that I have and I don't have ABS. That said though ..... When I'm due for my next servicing .... do I have to go back to the dealer that I bought the car from or can I go somewhere a little closer to home? [sorry for my newbieness]

I just noticed that the ABS light doesn't light up when I turn the key onto "ON" .... so I read the booklet and it said to contact the "Toyota Dealer" ... does that mean the dealer I bought the car from, or can I go to the nearest Toyota Caryard? [The dealer I bought the car from is about an hour drive away, so I'm wondering if I could go to the nearest Toyota Car yard instead].