I Am In Shock

[Mark86]

So when they pulled the truck onto the flatbed, did they push the release button down on the shifter console first or did they release it some other way?

Sorry if I missed this somewhere else in the thread.

Bad luck you had this experience but at the moment it sounds like no major damage.

The guy pushed the release button down on the shifter console to get the truck on the flatbed. He pulled out that little 'A' with a screwdriver and got it to shift into neutral. I can't believe I didn't think about doing this. Luckily, there was no major damage. All of devices that were blown are working fine.

 

[Expat]

This is when you can't move it due to MECHANICAL reasons.

If the cause is electronic, this button won't do anything.

So we learn that not everything you read on the internet is correct

 

[lojeff]

Mark, sorry to hear about your troubles with the 4runner. Good thing you got the Cop, route 9 stinks.

I would have found the nearest bar. As you know, I am in that area all the time and they near more bars for just these types of situations. Better yet, hit the Avanti spa for some R&R.

All joking aside, I hope things work out. Keep us posted. Did you bring it to Freehold Toyota or up to Galaxy?

 

[Mark86]

Mark, sorry to hear about your troubles with the 4runner. Good thing you got the Cop, route 9 stinks.

I would have found the nearest bar. As you know, I am in that area all the time and they near more bars for just these types of situations. Better yet, hit the Avanti spa for some R&R.

All joking aside, I hope things work out. Keep us posted. Did you bring it to Freehold Toyota or up to Galaxy?

I brought it up to Galaxy because that is where I bought it from and I know them very well. They said they would pay the bill to tow it there. My parents picked us up (in the other 4Runner!) and we followed the flatbed all the way to Galaxy. After it was all over, I just layed down and watched the Yankees. I was stuck at the Tayler Mills Road intersection, which only has an Exxon and Shell gas station. Also, don't think the patient NJ drivers cooperated with me. They kept cursing, honking, and flipping me kind gestures!

 

[cruzmissile]

Now I've decided!

"Hmmmmm?
Mark,
I'd be very interested in hearing what the result was.
I see you have a remote starter. Was this dealer installed?
I want one but am scared of problems like the one you are having. I'm a bit parnoid about tinkering with the electrical system since it is obviously the heart of the vehicle.

Hope all turns out well."

This is why I've held back on installing the remote starter.
This is why my paranoya about the incompitence of people installing gadgets into my brandy new vehicle is so bad.
This is why I do all of the aftermarket stuff myself.

Glad to hear all went well in the end.

 

[Solice]

Glad to hear everything worked out for you Mark, and it wasn't a major issue. That's the worst feeling when something like this happens to a brand new vehicle. You'll definately have to wax her up nice and pretty now. Just so she knows you missed her!

 

[Mark86]

Ok guys, I need help again. Today I go for gas and I always pull the lever on the left to release the gas tank. So I pull the left lever and the hood opens. It seems that they put the gas and hood release in the wrong position. The hood release is now on the left and the gas release is now on the right. I really don't want to bring it back to the dealer to get this fixed. Does anybody know how I could fix this by myself? Do I have to take apart the entire panel under the dash? This really angers me!!

 

[KMX3060]

Ok guys, I need help again. Today I go for gas and I always pull the lever on the left to release the gas tank. So I pull the left lever and the hood opens. It seems that they put the gas and hood release in the wrong position. The hood release is now on the left and the gas release is now on the right. I really don't want to bring it back to the dealer to get this fixed. Does anybody know how I could fix this by myself? Do I have to take apart the entire panel under the dash? This really angers me!!

When I read this I first thought you were joking.

Then sadly I realized you were not.

 

[tkr128]

Wow, now that's interesting...

Yes, you'll need to take off the lower panel. There are 2 10mm bolts holding it in place. You should be able to switch the two releases that way. Good luck!

 

[Mark86]

Everything is fixed now to my knowledge. I just hope that everything is over and I only need the dealer for routine service.

 

[otterball21]

Ok, the guy that installs remote starts doesn't know what the heck he's doing. Any mechanic and installer knows... DO NOT PUT ELECTRICAL WIRES NEAR MOVING PARTS! that's on the test for the mobile electronics installer test.

just common sense. None of the remote start wiring should be near the parking brake.

I've been putting them in for three years now and i've never had a problem with any of the remote starts I've put in.

If anyone that has a 4runner and decently close to state college, PA. Let me know if you ever want any of your electrical work done. I do it for a job, and I hate to see someone stranded out on the road like that and fustrated to all beyond heck.

I hope you got the cable handles switched, they were held on by big plastic clips. I've taken that panel off so many times because I keep wiring up more electronics into my truck. I don't even let my coworkers touch my truck. They'd probably mess it up. I do all my work by myself. blah at other people and their electronic skills...

 

[Solice]

If anyone that has a 4runner and decently close to state college, PA. Let me know if you ever want any of your electrical work done. I do it for a job, and I hate to see someone stranded out on the road like that and fustrated to all beyond heck.

Cool man, that's good to know. I'll keep you in mind!

 

[Mark86]

Ok, the guy that installs remote starts doesn't know what the heck he's doing. Any mechanic and installer knows... DO NOT PUT ELECTRICAL WIRES NEAR MOVING PARTS! that's on the test for the mobile electronics installer test.

just common sense. None of the remote start wiring should be near the parking brake.

I've been putting them in for three years now and i've never had a problem with any of the remote starts I've put in.

If anyone that has a 4runner and decently close to state college, PA. Let me know if you ever want any of your electrical work done. I do it for a job, and I hate to see someone stranded out on the road like that and fustrated to all beyond heck.

I hope you got the cable handles switched, they were held on by big plastic clips. I've taken that panel off so many times because I keep wiring up more electronics into my truck. I don't even let my coworkers touch my truck. They'd probably mess it up. I do all my work by myself. blah at other people and their electronic skills...

I am not that close to State College, PA but I will keep you in mind. When I bought the truck and asked the dealer if a remote starter was optional, they told me that they had someone "reliable" who comes in and installs them. In addition, it wouldn't void any warranties so I thought it was too good to be true. Unfortunately, you learn these things the hard way. As I think about this, I realize more and more how stupid this was. From now on, I am definitely going to be A LOT more careful with who tampers with my truck. This incident gave me a bad feeling about remote starters!

As for the hood and gas release, it was an easy fix but very annoying and careless. These things should be checked before the truck is released to me. Don't laugh, but the fun didn't stop there. I was driving yesterday and my rear defroster switch wasn't working. I stopped in a parking lot and started looking through the fuse box under the dash to see if they forgot to replace a fuse. I see a fuse for the rear wiper and it immeditaly rings a bell in my head: I bet they forgot to reset the back window from the fuse being blown. I open and close the rear window and everything works fine now. It is these little things that they should really double check before releasing a vehicle to a customer. These were two easy fixes but it definitely should have never been.