Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 exptools; site cbuxc.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!cbuxc!jrm
From: jrm@cbuxc.UUCP (John Miller)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: tale of woe - headlight retractor motor for 83 Celica
Message-ID: <338@cbuxc.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 16-Sep-85 10:43:08 EDT
Article-I.D.: cbuxc.338
Posted: Mon Sep 16 10:43:08 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 17-Sep-85 05:45:19 EDT
References: <705@whuxl.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories - Columbus Comp. Center
Lines: 52

> [       ]
> 
> About 2 months ago the drivers side headlight retractor motor on my 1983
> Toyota Celica gt liftback decided to crap out.  I removed it and followed
> the test procedures in the shop manual, sure enough, a main diode was burned
> out.  I called my local parts store and heard "that's a dealer only item".
> Now comes the shock: the dealer wants $218.00 ransom for this item.  At that
> point I decided it was better to have a winking car then to shell out that
> kind of bucks for an electric motor.
> 
> I would like to hear about similar incidents from celica or other car owners. 
>  Also any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> {ihnp4}!whuxl!qroy

The 82 Stanza I owned (note the past tense) "let me down" in the middle
of a 4 lane highway. When I say let me down, I mean I was flying along 
at or above the speed limit of 55 and the engine cut out completely.

Investigation (using the well written manual) proved it to be caused by
a failed distributor module ( a gizzmo that replaces points - it causes
the coils to spark at the right time). Several calls later lead me to the
dealer who informed that they had one in stock (the good news) and that the
price was 175$ (the bad news).

I replaced the part and the car ran as if nothing had ever been wrong.

A couple of observations:

	1) the part was too expensive (a chevy or ford part would have cost
	   < 50$ - too bad one wouldn't fit)

	2) for that cost, it must contain a rare and expensive element - I
	   took it apart in a vice, nothing but copper and silicon, shucks!

	3) it happened to my stanza @ 50000 miles, a friend also had a stanza
	   - it happenned to his at about the same mileage. (suppose they
	   have a countdown suicide timer in that module?)

	4) I traded that car at about 80K miles, mainly because I was scared
	   to death of anything *major* breaking on it! Minor items and costs:
	   carb - 800$, complete distributor - 600$, can you imagine he price
	   of a major item?


A lot of yuppies (pardon the term) are buying these cars because Consumer
Reports writes nice things about them, because the are truely nice to drive
and look expensive and whatever reason - I am sure the market people know
best. Considering the cost to fix them if you are one of the unlucky ones
I can't help wondering if the Japenese are still fighting the war.


Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com