A introduction, a issue, and wanting your opinion...

[KingMedicine]

First, i just want to say hello. I am in the process of getting my first ever 4runner. I have always been a toyota guy, with my current ride being a FJ62 1990 Landcruiser. As much as i love that beast, my friend has offered me her 2002 Toyota Limited 4runner as trade with a bit of cash out of my pocket (3500) to cover her car loan. Shes tired of making a payment and just used the auto for camping around Idaho. Her 4runner has 105k miles on it, it does need a timing belt done, and has a few random issues. Only one seriously concerns me tho and i wanted to see if anyone has had it before.

Apparently the radio went out (which is a non issue since ill install my own deck) and she took off the console dash to remove the stuck CD's. After she did this, for some reason, the AC is stuck on and wont shut off. You can press the button, but the light just says on. Also a few other buttons below it no longer work when pressed.

From my logic, this means either she didnt line up the dash correctly when it was reinstalled and the buttons are just off, or something is screwed up with the electronics which could cost a bit.

Anyone had this issue before or have any ideas?

Also, do you think this was a pretty good trade? My Landcruiser had a value of about 3-4k, so im getting this 4runner for approx 7k. It seemed low miles, she was the second owner, and it rode well and strong. No leaks and only needs the brakes done and the timing belt for good measure.

Any opinions?

 

[004Gunner]

Sounds like a good deal for you! I wouldn't stress the timing belt since it can routinely go over 100k miles on these engines. Most people agree that 90k miles is a little premature.

Because it's a limited it should have the digital climate control unit. If it does then it's not possible for the buttons to be misaligned without some serious tampering. Having removed the digital control unit plenty of times, I can tell you that the wire harness to it is one of the toughest to remove. I wouldn't be surprised if someone pulled on the wires of the harness instead of the clip and caused some bad connections.

 

[KingMedicine]

Yes, it does have the digital climate control unit. And its really only three buttons. The Ac button is stuck on (green light, not blinking). And under it on the bank of four buttons, two of them don't work. I would think if the electronic unit itself was screwed up, that none of it would work.

And i wouldn't be shocked if my friends did pull the wrong area and screw something up.

I was almost thinking of going to my stereo guy and when he removes the dash to throw in a new deck, to check the connections and give that a shot before i take her to the shop.

 

[rjaudi]

If the 4runner is 4wd the approx value would be about 11-12k. The climate panels are known to be very bad on the limiteds. There is even a company that repairs them on ebay.

TOYOTA 4 RUNNER CLIMATE DIGITAL HEATER AC 99 00 01 02 : eBay Motors (item 380213691603 end time Nov-04-10 17:00:00 PDT)

Why did the radio stop working?

 

[KingMedicine]

Actually i should say the radio works great. Its the CD player. the 6 disk got jammed and just locked the CD's inside of it. So they took off the dash to retrieve the cd's and when they replaced the dash, the ac button was stuck on and two buttons below it dont work when pressed.

And yes.. its the 4x4 version.

 

[rjaudi]

Oh I didnt realize they had in dash cd changers in the later years. I remember my Lexus had one and it was the only item that ever broke on the car in 150k miles. I replaced it with a in dash navigation system. I would recommend you just have the climate repaired. I doubt you have multiple inoperable buttons unless something was wrong with the unit itself. This is a symptom of a bad unit.

 

[steezemcqueen]

Doe the AC light turn off when you turn off the window defrost mode?

 

[KingMedicine]

Nope. Light wont turn off period. Ill check that tho just to make sure.

 

[zcruiser]

Need pics of the 90 FJ62. Personally, I think you're crazy. I miss my '89!

 

[KingMedicine]

I can throw up some pics of both in a day or two. I do love my FJ62, but alas, its not in the shape to make any long distance trips. It would be one heck of a rough ride up to seattle.

But, My family has an 89 Fj62 that will be mine in a few years, so i am not toally done with them.