Okay ive been putting this off for a while dang im lazy anyways here goes

1) Rear Anti Lock - on my dash it always says the rear anti lock is on, whats up with that is that bad? how do i fix it?

2) Parking Brake - ever since that last wheeling trip my parking brake light goes on and off, itll stay of for like 10mins then sometimes goes off when i come to a stop or start up then pop back on again, wth?

3) Under the Hood - If it's apparent by this time, i know nothing about cars, i went wheeling and afterwards the entire engine was covered in mud, took it over to friends house and he said to hose it down, i got this power washer is it safe to use that on it? i want it to look shiney again, and i remember him saying i shouldnt get water on this one thing, or it would ride bad for a couple days, /shrug yah im not good with cars. Ohh and i got a 5spd if that makes any differance.

4) Power Steering - One day steering wheel was hard to turn, so i put some power steering fluid in, i guess i was all out, and that fixed it for a week or so, then i had to put some more in, i took it down to pep boys i think it was and they said i had a power steering pump leak or something, i never got it fixed, but after i went wheeling i havent had to refill it, think the mud caked over the hole? and is that really bad? should i look into getting it fixed?

5) Wheels - Yah my wheels screech while im driving, should i have that looked into? normally i just turn the music up so i cant hear it but is it really that bad?

Kk, thanks guys sorry bout my lack of knowledge on cars, i spent my high school days playing everquest and waisting away on the computer when i shoulda been outside tinkering with my dads Tundra 8)

 

#1 & 2 are probably related, your parking brake probably needs to be adjusted. Do it yourself using the Tech section of this forum or if your uncomfortable with working on your rig, take to a mechanic.

#3 Don't get water on your distributer, spark plugs, or fuse and electronic boxes. I would just wash the lower parts of the engine, maifolds on down and be careful with high pressue washers, they can force water where it shouldn't go.

#4 Mud probably stoppped the leak, get this fixed.

# 5 Not right, get it fixed.

Hope this helps.

 

2) you might be low on brake fluid, check that.

3) Mud can insulate the engine and cause it to run hot. Also make sure your radiator is clean, that especially can cause over heating. Cover the electrical, like the battery, distributor cap, fuses, cruise control, etc...basically what Paul said.

4) The powersteering pump leak is a common thing on 2nd gens. It'll eventually get worse, gotta replace or rebuild it sooner or later. Toyota sells a seal rebuild kit for about $30.

5) Your wheels screech? Do you mean your brakes squeal? There's an indicator on the brakes that squeal when your pads or liners are low. I've heard they are designed to squeal even if you're not hitting the brakes and they sound like metal on metal scraping. You might need to have your pads or liners replaced.

 

1. I imagine the light you have on is actually a warning light letting you know your ABS is NOT working. It would be related to the emergency brake but I doubt it. Robinhood could also be correct...Your brake fluid could be low. Take it to a reliable brake shop and have them check both out.

2. If you got mud into the engine compartment, guess what's caked under your Runner, and it's probably limiting the movement of your E-brake cable or your E-brake switch. Put the Runner up on ramps, get some swim goggles, crawl under it and pressure wash it. Now you know why I hate mud.

3. Robinhood & Paul are right about getting the distributor wet. BUT, I have never had a Toyota distributor get wet on me. I have sprayed it directly with the high pressure hose at the car wash and have never had any of my Toys (3 since 89) leak into the distributor ( a round thingy with wires that go to each sparkplug). Go to the carwash, use the engine wash, then the highpressure wash, then the wax if you want. You should be OK. Take the cell phone and your buddy's number just in case.

4. Get some power steering conditioner and add it the next time it needs fluid. If it keeps on leaking after that, then worry about rebuilding it.

5. Robinhood is correct. It could be related to #1 and possibly #2 (doubtful). Or it could be some sorry tires on hot pavement. My Toy pickup came with Dunlops that squealed on hot pavement all summer. I couldn't wait for those tires to wear out...They lasted 90K miles.

Good Luck!
Wheel Responsibly!

 

I think everyone covered the bases, but for number 5, are you sure its your tires screeching? You should check the belt tension on your engine, not sure if you have more than one or if you have a serpentine belt.

 

In response to #5 i think its the tires/wheels/rims/the round dealies that move the car, its somewhere on there, sometimes it does stop when i hit the breaks though, so i guess i should go have the pads checked, ive also noticed when im breaking hard sometimes it feels like ill be sliding or hoovering above the ground and ill have to turn the wheel slightly repeatedly to keep it straight, dont know what thats about though.

Thanks for all the help looks like i got some work ahead of me, now to find a ramp and some swim goggles! that kinda sounds like fun 8)

 

If your car is pulling, it is definately a brake problem. Check the pads, and get new ones if they are too thin, if that doesn't solve the pull, you might need a new slave cylinder for the brake on the side thats pulling.

 

Don't those trucks have a common electrical problem with the alternator or a ground that causes both lights on the dash to come on??