Common tC Issues and Various Fixes

[ack154]

With all of the "rattle this" and "delay that" posts thoughout this tC forum, I thought I would begin trying to compile some of the common issues and/or fixes people have experienced or tried. Keep in mind, neither myself, nor SL, nor the original poster of these threads are responsible for any modifications you do to your car. Don't come whining to us if you break something or these don't work for you.

Your mileage may vary.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS

From this link, you will find the most current list of TSBs for the tC. Any changes/modifications/additions should be PMd to icdedppl.

--> TSBs
http://home.cfl.rr.com/icdedppl/faq.html#b7

RATTLES

Many tC owners have complained about some sort of rattle. Whether it's the hatch, the sunroof, wind deflector, license plate... whatever. The first thing I think any of you with a "rattle" should do is visit your dealer. It might not even be anything listed here. Check with the dealer first. Go back a couple times if you have to and get Scion Corporate involved - until they say there's nothing more they can do. Then you might consider trying some of these possible solutions.

--> Wind Deflector
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=88812

--> Hatch/Sunroof
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=87311
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=86680
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=86588
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=83260
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=82901
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=79677 <- FAQ Thread
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=79501

THROTTLE DELAY

Due to the tC's drive-by-wire system, many people complain about a noticable delay in throttle response time. This is the way it is. But some people have been trying to find a way to minimize this delay and there are a couple options. This isn't something the dealer can address b/c it's working the way that it was intended. But try these if you like:

--> Bump Stop
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=84643

--> Grounding Kit DIY - for an xA, but still relevant.
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=29261
-=-=-=-> Note: There are also manufactures that make prefab grounding kits for the tC (eg. GroundFusion).

SUNROOF DOESN'T CLOSE

Our sunroof has a safety feature that will open the sunroof back up if it is "stopped" by anything. Possibly if a hand or other body part were sticking out - so that it wouldn't try to close on that body part and someone lose a limb. Well this can start to happen when it shouldn't as you close the sunroof. Occasionally as the sunroof tries to press down the wind deflector, this safety feature will trigger and the sunroof will open back up. As mentioend above, first thing you should do is try your dealer. They may need to clean the tracks or lubricate it. Or you can read through these:

--> Clean/Lubricate Track
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=108551
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=73540

LOOSE CLUTCH PEDAL

Some tC users say they have some play in their clutch pedal before any part of the clutch engages. Listed below is one method that may remove the play in the pedal and make the clutch more responsive. It's a method similar to the bump stop for the gas pedal.

--> Bump Stop
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=84917

OTHER ISSUES

** Squeaking Clutch Pedal **

Over time, you may notice a squeak when pressing in the clutch pedal. Seems to be intermittent and usually will be from the engine bay.

--> Grease Method
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=148671

** Radio Door Squeeking **

Some of the radio doors will squeek opening and closing. This is one possible method to alleviate the noise so that it's quiet again.

--> 3M Tape Method
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=87166 (page 3)

** Brake Light Turns On While Accelerating **

This is two step problem. The light is coming on because the brake fluid is low and sloshing around. But the brake fluid is low because your brake pads probably need to be replaced - less brake pad means more fluid in the lines and less in the reservoir.

--> Related Discussion
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=185625

** 2007 HVAC Lighting Issues **

Many of the early 2007 tC's have had issues with the HVAC lighting working intermittently or stopping all together.

--> Discussion and Options
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=253387

---------------------------------------------------------
If you know of something else that should be added here, reply with a link to the thread and why you think it should be in here. Not everything will be added. Depends on how common the issue is or how useful it might be. Also depends on the situation of the problem - but I'll review them all.
---------------------------------------------------------
UPDATES:
10/24/05 - added FAQ thread - not sure how i missed it...
01/31/06 - added radio squeek and TSB list
05/22/06 - added sunroof closing issue
08/16/07 - added brake light info
08/06/08 - added squeaky clutch pedal

[ack154]

Over 100 views and not one suggestion? Damn...

[ScionEyes]

Originally Posted by ack154

Check with the dealer first. Go back a couple times if you have to and get Scion Corporate involved - until they say there's nothing more they can do. .

I Like this one the best!

There are so many things that we take for granted that might actually end up costing you nothing to fix under warranty!

[foxtransmission]

excellent post up need more like these in one section

[rhythmnsmoke]

Good to see a collaboration of fixes to these daunting issues.

[ack154]

Thanks guys... remember... more suggestions will help if you think of something.

Also updated it with another thread.

[icdedppl]

great job ack154! much appreciated.

added to the tC faq as well ;^)
http://home.cfl.rr.com/icdedppl/faq.html#a9

[400amonth]

I would like to know fixes for rattles around the steering column and under dash left side of driver.

[Acsilva84]

thanks for all this..
you should add the link for the clutch stop

[ack154]

Originally Posted by 400amonth

I would like to know fixes for rattles around the steering column and under dash left side of driver.

I don't think we've had anything really posted for that yet... if you know of anything, let me know and I'll put it up.

[ack154]

Originally Posted by Acsilva84

thanks for all this..
you should add the link for the clutch stop

A good suggestion... added.

But keep in mind... we don't want to just make another "tech" section of DIYs... I'm looking for issues that are common and someone may have found a solution to.

[ignitionr34]

under throttle delay section u should also add lo bux racer's fidenza flyweel installation ... cuase that when installed gives no more delay either

[foreverandaminute]

When people say, "Go to the dealer", does it have to be the same dealer that sold you your car?

[rockbrawler884]

Good Post, ScionLife needed a collaborative post such as this.

[PrivateTucker]

Great place to start. I too took my tC to the dealer about the rattle before attempting anything myself. The dealership took apart all the interior panels in the back, wrapped everything in insulation foam (prolly just foam tape) and also readjusted the bumpstops for the rear hatch.

[toyota_scion_tc]

The stock tc body and engine ground are 10ga wire which is really tiny wiring. I have a manual tc and when I come to a stop my headlights at night would dim slightly for a second then return to normal. The first thing I tried has fixed this. I went to a audio store and got some excellent quality 4ga wire and ring terminals and made a new ground cable for the battery. Its self explanatory just remove the old ground wire and make another one identical to it. Things you will need to do this. 10mm wrench, 12mm wrench and I believe a 14mm wrench. 1st disconnect the - battery terminal from the battery and tuck it beside the battery so it will not make contact to the terminal. Undo the plastic clips that retain the cable close to the battery. disconnect the 10mm bolt that goes to the body ground. The starter is in the way of the other ground. You will have to unbolt the starter but not remove it. Once it is unbolted undo the engine ground underneath the starter. To make the new cable I went to auto zone and bought a lead free battery terminal. I also had some zip ties and wire loom. And I made the custom battery cable identical to the battery cable you just took off. Then bolt everything back on and you are done. I have notice after a while it still does it but only 1/5 of the time. Not nearly as bad as it was.

[scion-tist]

Good post....

[tcholic]

very helpful thanks!

[ScionEyes]

ipod help~ thats what i need... i have the shuffle but the adapter is for nano's... anyone find anything on this yet>?

[ack154]

I don't think the shuffle is compatible... unless you just use the aux input - with a 1/8" minijack cable from the headphone jack of the shuffle. They don't have the dock connector like the rest of the iPods... so the actual "ipod" input wont work.