Toyota maintenance

1992 4-door Toyota Corolla 4 cylinder

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• 1992
• Toyota
• Corolla
• submodel: Base
• engine: 4 cylinder 1.6 litre

Windshield wipers

The size of the wipers on our Corolla:

17.75 inches (17 and 3/4)

21.625 inches (21 and 5/8)

If buying Trico brand, the model numbers are:

18-1

20-1

Tail light replacement

September 19, 2005 Replaced a bulb in the Corolla brake light. It uses 12V 1157 bulbs.

Regular service

February 22, 2005 At odometer 93, 713 I had the following work done:

• tune-up
• new plugs, new rotor, new wires
• new horn
• new timing belt
• new oil seals, water pump
• new drive belts
• new vacuum valve for charcoal cannister

Total cost $1273.27 @ Hawthorne Auto Clinic

Speakers

October 18, 2003 Our poor, abused car speakers have finally annoyed me for the last time. It appears that the cones have been weathered by the sun enough to crack and split which makes a horrible vibrating racket. They were Infinity speakers of a mere four years. I replaced them with some cheesy, but more rugged Blaupunkt speakers. I’ll have to check back in four years to see if there is as much deterioration in these as in those delicate Infinities.

Tire size

P175/70R13 82S

Cold tire pressure

28 PSI

Oil change Rday 15:47, 19 March 2009 (UTC)

John did an oil change for me at about 14,440 miles.

Also replaced wiper blades.

Alternator fails Rday 21:43, 27 April 2009 (UTC)

The red dashboard light behind the battery and brake lit up on the way home from work last Friday (4/24/09). Testing the volts at the battery with the car off found 12.4 and with the car running it was 11.0. So the alternator is bad. John considered just replacing the diode, but given a rebuilt alternator is about $100, it seemed reasonable to just replace the whole thing.

Getting the old part off was pretty easy except for the the following details:

• I had to remember that there is a squeeze latch that holds the large plug into the alternator. Comes off easy if you press in the right place.
• The bolt holding the hinge side of the alternator was too tight to remove with a flat wrench that bites into your hand. Had to use a round-handle socket wrench with a rag and glove and apply lots of force.

Replaced alternator with a rebuilt part with a two-year warranty from Carquest parts.

new stereo, October 2009

• replaced Alpine 9851 (wouldn't eject CDs)
• installed Dual XHD7714

Oil change procedure

Battery won't hold a charge, July, 2014

Left some device on in the car for weeks and drained the battery down to the nubs. After that, couldn't get it to hold a charge for more than a day.

Installed battery is a Les Schwab:

• Part number 35 XT
• Cold cranking amps: 640
• Cranking amps: 800

A battery with these specs isn't for sale anymore. The battery that probably replaced this part has 590 to 900 cranking amps which carries a 7-year guarantee. http://lesschwab.com/batteries/browse-batteries/car-truck-suv

I can't remember when we bought this battery, but it was probably more than 7 years ago.

I was surprised to notice that I had access to fill the battery cells. I asssumed it was all sealed up. Looking in the cells, they had plenty of room for more water. I added about 10 ounces to each of the two sets of three cells. So 20 ounces in total. And then put the 4 amp charger back on it for an hour. Probably should have used distilled water.

• I observed that when the battery was low on fluid in the cells, I could attach the 4 amp battery charger and the charger guage would not go down.
• when the battery was filled with fluid, the charger started above 4 amps and went down to under 2 amps after 2 hours.
• after charging for two hours, the battery sounded healthy when starting the car.

• at rest, I measure the battery at 10.2 volts. At this level, the car will not start.
• I attach the charger and set it to 4amps. The voltage at the battery is now 12 volts.
• I start the car and disconnect the battery charger. The voltage at the battery is now 14.6 volts.

I'd say that proves that the problem is not the alternator but the battery. I'll drive to a parts store and pick one up tomorrow.

• after charging all night, the battery shows 14.06 volts
• four hours after charging, the battery shows 10 volts

Went to Les Schwabb and they tested the battery and found it wanting. Replaced it with another battery with a 7-year warranty for $130.

Engine overheats, May 2016

I suspect the thermostat may be clogged with radiator rust debris. Bob Finnin tests by running the engine and feeling if the top hose on the radiator is hot to see if coolant is circulating.

The top hose was hot, but the radiator was cold. Added water and anti-freeze and it doesn't overheat anymore.

Drained the battery, July 2016

Left the lights on and drained the battery. Jump started it and drove it home thinking the alternator would charge it, but it made some bad smell instead. Got home and charged it with a battery charger, but it doesn't hold a charge longer than a day.

Took it to Les Schwabb and they said the battery was under warranty, but was still good. The alternator had "excessive ripple" though. So I should probably replace the alternator. I don't understand what is draining the battery. Probably something shorted in the alternator, I suppose.

After googling for "excessive ripple", I find that it does indicate an alternator with bad diodes and is usually caused by trying to charge a battery back up from dead with the alternator instead of a battery charger.

Shopping for a new alternator online. Used carparts.com. Got a rebuilt alternator for $100. Should get $20 back when I send in the old part.

Part #: AC3341110
AC DELCO (REMANUFACTURED) OE REPLACEMENT ALTERNATORS


Alternator Corolla
AC Delco
Qty: 1.00
Price: $ 71.51

Eventually got around to installing the new alternator Sep 9.

The battery had discharged a little, but was still at 12.8 volts without load. When I turned on the lights, it dropped to 11.9 volts, so I hooked it back up to the charger to prevent damaging the alternator immediately after installation.

Installing really is pretty easy. Two electrical connections and two bolts to hold the alternator in position against the belt.

I aimed for the belt only deflecting a half inch after installation, since I don't have a belt tensioner.

The battery took a few attempts at recharging before it recovered but with the new alternator things are working again. Here are the troubleshooting tips from the alternator supplier:

New battery and radiator, Feb 2018

Installed a new radiator, thermostat, and battery with help from Harry

Replace windshield, July 2018

The Toyota fails the state safety check before getting a license because of the windshield crack. Have to get it fixed, so call Safelite to come do it at our house.

Driver's outside door handle breaks, Dec 2018

Ordered a replacement part from Rock auto for $20 The part arrives and the replacement is smooth thanks to the practice I've had removing the window crank handle pin. The only difficulty is getting the connecting rods disconnected from the old handle. I eventually cut through the old handle to release the connecting rod linked to the handle.

Driver's side rear running light is out, April 2019

The bulb and bulb socket are missing. Only the wire remains. Couldn't find the bulb socket on Rock Auto, so ordered some LED running lights to replace that way.