Different ETC Question

[Allen130]

ETC Button backlit; doesn't engage ETC Power mode

I understand what the ETC button does to the transmission. In the '97 I just bought, the button is inoperative. I just pulled the center console out to see if the connection was loose, but realized that it must be good because the button is backlit when I turn on the running lights. Pressing the button does nothing... no red POWER ECT in the instrument cluster, no change in the transmission shift points.

I'm trying to think of easy possible fixes... It still might be a bad switch with a good backlight. Has anyone else run into a similar problem? Thanks.

 

[Allen130]

I'm guessing by the 50+ looks and no response I've got a unique problem. I'm having problems using the search engine for the 3rd gen forum... I type in ETC, "ETC", electronic transmission control, "electronic transmission control"... Any search for simply ETC returns zero results.

Guess I'm too dumb to use the search engine. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Mr. B]

isnt it ECT not ETC?
Could be a faulty switch like you mentioned

 

[downpour11]

I've never had any ECT problems so I can't try and help on this one... but it'll help if you search ECT instead of ETC

 

[19963.4lsr5]

The backlight has nothing to do with the operation of the button. I don't think they cost much. Just replace it.

I thought my indicator on the dash was Green. The dogs hit the button on occasion trying to claim the front seat.

 

[Singtoe]

I bet your ECT indicator light is burned out.

The shift points change ever so slightly that it it could be unnoticeable by seat of the pants driving.

Check the bulb, then the switch.

 

[Allen130]

Touche... my dyslexia took over there.

 

[Allen130]

I've been scouring the 'webs for a lighting diagram or picture of a 1997 instrument cluster... can't find anything. It's tough to tell if the light is out as I've never seen where it was located originally.

Trying to test the button through driving and watching shift RPM; but I guess I need to try the test where I drive over the same strip of road once with each mode engaged. After what I've read about the POWER mode, it doesn't really set the transmission shift point to a standard, say 2700 RPM from 2nd to 3rd... it depends on incline and accelerator input. Am I correct to think that?

I've seen several threads talking about replacing instrument cluster lights with LEDs... not really interested in the LEDs, but if I determine the ECT light is out, I'd sure like to throw a bulb back there. Is it as big of a PITA as I think it might be?

 

[Mr. B]

I've been scouring the 'webs for a lighting diagram or picture of a 1997 instrument cluster... can't find anything. It's tough to tell if the light is out as I've never seen where it was located originally.

Trying to test the button through driving and watching shift RPM; but I guess I need to try the test where I drive over the same strip of road once with each mode engaged. After what I've read about the POWER mode, it doesn't really set the transmission shift point to a standard, say 2700 RPM from 2nd to 3rd... it depends on incline and accelerator input. Am I correct to think that?

I've seen several threads talking about replacing instrument cluster lights with LEDs... not really interested in the LEDs, but if I determine the ECT light is out, I'd sure like to throw a bulb back there. Is it as big of a PITA as I think it might be?

you'll mainly see the difference on inclines and when towing, it'll "hold" the gear to stay in power band without bogging out.

Another simple way is to just hammer down and see how it holds the gears.

Changing the cluster lights are easy. But if your concerned about it, google it and I'm sure there's a step by step procedure with pics to help.

 

[Allen130]

1997 4Runner Instrument Cluster Removal

You were right... found this link with specific bolt locations.

How to Replace an Instrument Panel Bulb on a 1997 Toyota 4Runner | eHow

Also found the picture below with the light bulb locations. It looks like the big three lights are 194s... trying to figure out what type lights are the smaller ones located in the bottom row (where the ECT light is located).

 

[Rhoov1]

I just replaced the overdrive light in my 97 SR5's cluster and it was a 2721. Same as the ashtray and glovebox lights.

 

[Singtoe]

You were right... found this link with specific bolt locations.

How to Replace an Instrument Panel Bulb on a 1997 Toyota 4Runner | eHow

Also found the picture below with the light bulb locations. It looks like the big three lights are 194s... trying to figure out what type lights are the smaller ones located in the bottom row (where the ECT light is located).

Who was right?

 

[Allen130]

It was just a burnt out lightbulb

The ECT works fine... it was just a burned out 74 lightbulb. While I was in there, I replaced the old incandescent bulbs with new stock bulbs. Didn't feel the need to 'rice' it out with LEDs; the new bulbs are so bright I do need to turn down the dimmer a bit.

I followed the link I posted above with text directions on how to remove the instrument cluster... wasn't too bad, even for a non-mechanic like myself.

It was no big deal to roll the little green plastic jackets off the 194 main bulbs and roll them onto the new bulbs. I thought they would be old & crusty, but they came off fine.

Tomorrow's task... quick MAF cleaning and possibly chrome polishing.

Thanks again for the experience and advice.

 

[Supermoney]

Got in my 4Runner the other day and noticed the ECT light was out (I keep it on 100% of the time). I think my bulb burnt out I am going to check it out later today.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

The shift points change ever so slightly that it it could be unnoticeable by seat of the pants driving.

I actually disagree with this. I drive like a grandpa with the ECT off most of the time, so as soon as I turn it on and take off like I normally do (with just a light press and hold of the throttle), I notice a slightly quicker take off and the gears definitely hold to a much higher RPM.

So the trick to seeing if the ECT works might not be to mash the throttle and see if it holds the gear, but it could be to actually give it the least amount of throttle and see if it holds the gear longer.

 

[RedSled]

Don't know if this will help it is an 02.