Small issues on 2007 SE T4R needing to get fixed

[sunnysider]

I recently bought a 2007 sports edition 4wd v8 t4r. Overall the vehicle is in good condition but there are several little issues that I would like to get fixed on the truck. I was wondering what is the best way to go about fixing these issues. I was thinking about taking my 4runner into the service department at a toyota dealership and going over the issues with them and seeing if they would be able to fix them and give me a quote for the cost. Here's a list of what I want to get fixed:
-Small gap between the left rear bumper and the body of the truck
-Powered rearview mirror not working (has autodimmer and electronic compass)
-AC outlet left of clutch is not working
-Missing small plastic cover of the clutch release button, missing several black plastic pieces on console
-Right side fog light has taken on water and is rusted
-The rear hatch lever on the truck is hard to press down to open, especially in the cold. I think the plastic on it needs to be replaced. It is also sticky and leaves black residue on my fingers.

You can see that these aren't big problems but I would like them to be fixed on my "new" used 4runner. Do you think the service dept at the dealership would be able to fix these at a reasonable price? I believe I could fix some of this stuff but I was having trouble finding the right parts online and it would be more convenient to have someone else do it. Or would it be better to take it to a certified toyota mechanic and not the dealership? Thanks for your help!

 

[preacher35]

I recently bought a 2007 sports edition 4wd v8 t4r. Overall the vehicle is in good condition but there are several little issues that I would like to get fixed on the truck. I was wondering what is the best way to go about fixing these issues. I was thinking about taking my 4runner into the service department at a toyota dealership and going over the issues with them and seeing if they would be able to fix them and give me a quote for the cost. Here's a list of what I want to get fixed:
-Small gap between the left rear bumper and the body of the truck
-Powered rearview mirror not working (has autodimmer and electronic compass)
-AC outlet left of clutch is not working
-Missing small plastic cover of the clutch release button, missing several black plastic pieces on console
-Right side fog light has taken on water and is rusted
-The rear hatch lever on the truck is hard to press down to open, especially in the cold. I think the plastic on it needs to be replaced. It is also sticky and leaves black residue on my fingers.

You can see that these aren't big problems but I would like them to be fixed on my "new" used 4runner. Do you think the service dept at the dealership would be able to fix these at a reasonable price? I believe I could fix some of this stuff but I was having trouble finding the right parts online and it would be more convenient to have someone else do it. Or would it be better to take it to a certified toyota mechanic and not the dealership? Thanks for your help!

The dealer is ALWAYS going to cost WAY more!

 

[LC2013]

-Small gap between the left rear bumper and the body of the truck
Apparently this is due to either the bumper on that side not being seated properly in the clip, or most likely the clip is busted and need to be replaced. I currently have the same issue on the rear passenger side, just haven't gotten around to fix it.
-Right side fog light has taken on water and is rusted
Should be easy enough to replace yourself with a replacement from RA or ebay.

Those are really the only two I felt I could help with, hope it helps. :bigok:

 

[chitown40]

I don't know where you are in Colorado, but there are many good Toyota shops in the area that are not the dealer. Slee Off Road (mostly a Land Cruiser shop) can take good care of you. Also look up Powderpig on IH8MUD.com. Robbie Antonson is an excellent Toyota technician who even makes house calls. Look him up on IH8MUD and you'll see his rep. You may even be close to one of the above shops.

If it was me however, I'd make a list of the plastic parts you need including the bumper clip and rear door latch and go to your local Toyota dealer and make friends with the parts department. While you are there set up an account and ask for a price level about 20% off retail. You might just get it. I have accounts set up at three local dealers with a nice discount. All three have spent time helping me look up parts (even some obscure ones) from their diagrams.

Get the parts, download the FSM if you need it, and do all the minor repairs yourself. You'll save a lot of cash and you'll enjoy learning how to turn a wrench or a screwdriver.

 

[sunnysider]

I don't know where you are in Colorado, but there are many good Toyota shops in the area that are not the dealer. Slee Off Road (mostly a Land Cruiser shop) can take good care of you. Also look up Powderpig on IH8MUD.com. Robbie Antonson is an excellent Toyota technician who even makes house calls. Look him up on IH8MUD and you'll see his rep. You may even be close to one of the above shops.

If it was me however, I'd make a list of the plastic parts you need including the bumper clip and rear door latch and go to your local Toyota dealer and make friends with the parts department. While you are there set up an account and ask for a price level about 20% off retail. You might just get it. I have accounts set up at three local dealers with a nice discount. All three have spent time helping me look up parts (even some obscure ones) from their diagrams.

Get the parts, download the FSM if you need it, and do all the minor repairs yourself. You'll save a lot of cash and you'll enjoy learning how to turn a wrench or a screwdriver.

Thanks for the info. I am in the Denver area. I looked up Slee Off Road and they are not too far away from me. Will they be able to help with these small issues or do they specialize more in off-roading modifications? Also, do they have a large inventory of OEM parts? I guess I should just give them a call or take my truck in. I know how to use a wrench and a screwdriver lol! I believe I could fix these things myself, I just need the parts to do it. I like your suggestion to visit the parts department and try to get a discount. Thanks again.

 

[sunnysider]

Those are really the only two I felt I could help with, hope it helps. :bigok:

Thank you. I believe the rear bumper clip is busted. If I can get a bumper clip is it something I could fix on my own? Does it just snap into place?

 

[robtmc]

Hatch switch is not too hard to replace your self. Good tutorial here:
How to: Replace Rear Hatch Opening Switch - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

Dealer can order the little plastic shifter release cover for you for about $4. Mine was missing when I got mine too.

 

[sunnysider]

Hatch switch is not too hard to replace your self. Good tutorial here:
How to: Replace Rear Hatch Opening Switch - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

Dealer can order the little plastic shifter release cover for you for about $4. Mine was missing when I got mine too.

Awesome! Thanks! My hatch switch definitely melted. I will order that part and replace it myself.

 

[LC2013]

Thank you. I believe the rear bumper clip is busted. If I can get a bumper clip is it something I could fix on my own? Does it just snap into place?

Yea....like I said I have the same issue....Ill be taking it off on that side next week to confirm which piece I need; the part Im thinking is:

52562B 5256235010 RETAINER, REAR BUMPER, UPPER RH
GRN21#,UZN21#

From:
REAR BUMPER & BUMPER STAY. Fits: 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER | ToyotaPartsOverstock.com



Ill take some pics so you can compare if you want. It shouldn't be to complicated at all.

 

[sunnysider]

Yea....like I said I have the same issue....Ill be taking it off on that side next week to confirm which piece I need; the part Im thinking is:

52562B 5256235010 RETAINER, REAR BUMPER, UPPER RH
GRN21#,UZN21#

From:
REAR BUMPER & BUMPER STAY. Fits: 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER | ToyotaPartsOverstock.com



Ill take some pics so you can compare if you want. It shouldn't be to complicated at all.

I took some pictures of my driver's side rear bumper. The gap is small but I can see several clips that look like they are missing or not latched in. I am not sure what all would be needed part-wise to fix this though.

Here's the passenger side rear bumper that does not have the gap in it

Sorry the pictures aren't the greatest due to poor lighting.

I went to a Toyota dealership and got the part numbers for many of the parts I need. I can get them for a lot cheaper online. I found the powered rear-view mirror (part #87810-60191). I want to order it but I'm worried that that there could be a problem outside of the mirror causing it not to work. I think I need to have the problem diagnosed before buying it. I also need the 12 VDC power outlet looked at as well.

 

[sunnysider]

I have finally nailed down all the parts that I need to order. The Toyota Dealership quoted me $450 to order them but I found them for about $250 online. I have already received the tailgate door opener switch and I plan to install it myself soon. I believe most of this stuff I can install myself but there are two things I need to get diagnosed before I order the parts. Like I said earlier the powered rearview mirror isn't working and I am pretty sure its the mirror itself that is broken but could it possibly be something else causing it such as the wiring or a fuse? I don't want to order a new $85 mirror if the one I have works. Also, I need to have the 12 VC power outlet looked at as well since it's not working. I don't even know if there is a part to order for that. The dealership quoted me $110 an hour to diagnose the problems. I have a 3 year/ 36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. Do you think it's likely that these two issues are covered by it? (probably not possible for you to know without looking at it but I don't know myself).

 

[m85476585]

I have finally nailed down all the parts that I need to order. The Toyota Dealership quoted me $450 to order them but I found them for about $250 online. I have already received the tailgate door opener switch and I plan to install it myself soon. I believe most of this stuff I can install myself but there are two things I need to get diagnosed before I order the parts. Like I said earlier the powered rearview mirror isn't working and I am pretty sure its the mirror itself that is broken but could it possibly be something else causing it such as the wiring or a fuse? I don't want to order a new $85 mirror if the one I have works. Also, I need to have the 12 VC power outlet looked at as well since it's not working. I don't even know if there is a part to order for that. The dealership quoted me $110 an hour to diagnose the problems. I have a 3 year/ 36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. Do you think it's likely that these two issues are covered by it? (probably not possible for you to know without looking at it but I don't know myself).

For the mirror, it might be obvious, but did you try turning it on? I can't remember exactly how, but maybe holding the button down. There's probably a connector somewhere, so find it and probe the pins with a Digital Multi Meter to see if it's getting power. Note that the auto dimming feature won't work if its view is blocked by passengers or cargo in the back.

Same for the 12V power outlet. Probe the contacts inside to check for power. If that doesn't work, it's really easy to pull the center console apart and get to the connector that plugs in on the bottom. There's a DIY out there somewhere, but you basically just pull straight up on pieces of the center console trim until the clips release. It shouldn't take a lot of force. If there's no power to the connector, check the fuse. That might fix the mirror issue, too.

 

[sunnysider]

For the mirror, it might be obvious, but did you try turning it on? I can't remember exactly how, but maybe holding the button down. There's probably a connector somewhere, so find it and probe the pins with a Digital Multi Meter to see if it's getting power. Note that the auto dimming feature won't work if its view is blocked by passengers or cargo in the back.

Same for the 12V power outlet. Probe the contacts inside to check for power. If that doesn't work, it's really easy to pull the center console apart and get to the connector that plugs in on the bottom. There's a DIY out there somewhere, but you basically just pull straight up on pieces of the center console trim until the clips release. It shouldn't take a lot of force. If there's no power to the connector, check the fuse. That might fix the mirror issue, too.

Yes, I tried to turn it on several times. There is a power button in the middle of the mirror that I've held down for several seconds. There is some liquid that looks like it leaked out of the mirror and has dried. I have no idea what that's from?? It was like that when I bought the car. I haven't checked the fuse box yet (not sure if rearview mirror even has a fuse) or checked the wires.

I did a little more research on the 12V power outlet not working and I am going to take your advice and remove the center console pieces to see if it's connected. I know they were recently working on the heated seats in my car so maybe they unplugged the 12V power outlet and didn't plug it back in. Is it possible they could of used that connector to power the heated seats?

Using these forums is saving me a lot of money! Thanks again for the help.

 

[m85476585]

I think the heated seats use a different connector, if it's OEM heated seats.

Some things share fuses, but everything has a fuse. It wouldn't be safe for the electrical system if anything was unfused.

 

[sunnysider]

I think the heated seats use a different connector, if it's OEM heated seats.

Some things share fuses, but everything has a fuse. It wouldn't be safe for the electrical system if anything was unfused.

Ok, thanks for that info. I will check out the fuse box this weekend. I have never really messed with fuses on a car. How will I know if one is not working? How do I test it? Where do I go to buy a new fuse and how will I know which one to get? The fuse box is located a little below and left of the steering wheel, right?

The seat heaters are aftermarket. I believe they installed them when they put leather seat covers in the car.

 

[Martinjmpr]

So nobody else caught on this?

-AC outlet left of clutch is not working
-Missing small plastic cover of the clutch release button, missing several black plastic pieces on console

Clutch?

 

[sunnysider]

So nobody else caught on this?



Clutch?

lol, I didn't catch that myself! Shifter, not clutch. :redface:

 

[sunnysider]

Thought I'd give a little update. I have most of issues resolved. I replaced my rear hatch opening switch yesterday. The guide that [MENTION=110272]robtmc[/MENTION] posted helped a lot. Didn't take me long to replace it. Now, I don't have a melted and sticky button anymore. The powered rearview mirror and 12v powered outlet are working. I ordered all the parts I need, mostly bulbs. Those should be here soon. Replacing the AC control backlighting should be easy. I'm still not sure exactly how to get to the 4wd selector to replace that bulb, I'll need to read up on that more. The only thing I don't think I'll get to fixing soon is the small gap on the rear drivers side bumper. It's not very noticeable and I'm not sure I want to pay to have it fixed at a body shop. I did notice that I am missing a mudflap. Is there a part number for the OEM mud flaps that come on the truck?