My new/used Hot Lava is STILL in te shop being diagnosed for some mystery electrical problem I keep coming here, looking at all of your xBs, reading about all of your xBs .... and I am driving a Jeep Cerokee loaner from carmax.... grrrrr.... I want my car back!!

The service rep has been very attentive, but that does not help my frustration level. I keep trying to tell myself that I used to be that person who had to call the customers about their car.... I just want my LAVA!! NOW.

 

At least you got a cherokee and not a liberty. Screw that car. They made a whole lot of people cry with the decision to cut the cherokee.

 

yeah. Things could be a WHOLE LOT worse!

My dad has a much older Jeep Cherokee. I have used it on a few occations to tow stuff. Even tho Jeeps tend to ride a bit rough, they kick @ss when it comes to hauling! I was just talking about that with co-workers a few minutes ago..... I can't say I would want an SUV for an every day driver.... and I KNOW I would not want a LIBERTY! HA!

 

Why don't you describe the mysterious problem?
There's an awful lot of "us" out there...
Chances are, it may have happened to one of us as well.

 

crap. I typed out my reply and lost it before I posted... dangit.

I had posted the problem under a separate thread. Here's the deal:

1 - I bought a 2004 Hot Lava w/approx 28,800 miles from Carmax
2 - I pointed out a noise from the AC/heater fan that my 2005 did not have
3 - They took the car and replaced the motor and a few other things that were uncovered during the work: air filter missing, vent door not installed/working properly
4 - I get the car, drive it home, then turn on the wipers - ka-plow. a fuse blows
5 - I replace the fuse, turn on the ignition (wipers are OFF) and ka-plow.
6 - I went through 3 fuses to make sure I did not have faulty fuses. Yes. I used the proper fuse.
7 - Carmax has performed some diagnostics and then sent it on to the Toyota dealership.

Now - I *think* I flipped on te REAR wiper right before this all went down. It has not rained for months and now we had a hurricane soming our way. I can't say I remember using the rear wiper since I bought the car on Aug 11.

I am at a total loss when it comes to modern day car electrical systems and this is all covered by warranty, but it would be nice to know what/why this happened and if it could be as a result of something else.

 

I lot of owners take out all their stereo equipment when they sell their car--taking it back to stock. I wonder if there was a problem with something that was in the car before it was traded in. You are lucky to have a Lava--hope they get it fixed for you soon.

 

unplug the wiper motor and see if the fuse blows.

 

at least you got a warranty

 

I would check out the factory groumet too see if anyone ran any wires ie amp wire light wire into or out of the car I have heard of a problem simular too this. while running the wires through the groumet they damaged factory wires. hope this helps and I love my LAVA and ENVY GREEN

 

oh yeah, the xB's didn't come with a cabin filter

 

Yeah - my guess is that someone monkyed with the wires when adding a mod. There is a little evidence of some mods, but carmax, if nnot the original owner took all of those out. It has the standard stereo and stuff right now.

I STILL DON'T HAVE MY CAR!!!! grrrrrr.... The Toyota dealership has it and told my repair rep that it was taking long because we did not have an appointment! I am NOT liking this! Other than they gave me a loaner.... and I am not stuck in a burning highrise that was just slammed into by a plane or anything... things could be bad. They are not bad.

I have to stay positive.

geeze.

I want my LAVA.

 

I just got off the phone with my service rep. She conveyed some information and I had her read the mechanic's report to me.

Here's a recap:

1 - wiper fuse blows when ignition turned on
2 - Carmax took it for warranty repair
3 - Carmax sent it to Toyota for warranty repair
4 - I have been waiting an ETERNITY to get my HOT LAVA back

She read the technical info and mechanic's notes to me and I interpreted it to read:
As I suspected, some aftermarket gear was added to the car and wiring was modified or tapped into. They need to replace the wire harness and that should do it.

Right now the car repair is being held up in the red tape of paperwork (They need a copy of the report from Toyota so the manager can approve it, then the part can be ordered and the car repaired, blah blah blah.....)

blah.

 

Wow--I was right............someone pulled the mods and left the problem.

 

That is what happens when someone doesn't take the time to remove a mod properly.

 

also sometimes before the work can be done they must get approval from the warrenty company. also Carmax WOULD NOT put back in the stock headunit. if it had an aftermarket headunit then they would sell it with that. Now that doesn't mean the previosu owner didn't put the stock back in. Also I hope you but the maxcare warrenty because it is well wortj it. Also i shouldn't tell you this but if carmax sent it to Toyota then they would have contacted toyota to send the car there but toyota will fit it in around the other appointments they are not in as a big of a rush for carmax cars as if they would be if it was one of there cars. it sucks but it is how they do it. just stay on the service department to keep the pressure on toyota so they do put a rush on it. also where did you buy you car from which carmax location.

 

Persactly Fellas!

I knew there had been mods done to the car because of little details I picked up on and most likely the previous owner swapped them all out before trading in their car. Didn't the RS 1.0 come with a 6 CD changer? Mine is the stock CD single player.

AND.... yes. It IS taking FOREVER because of Toyota. Fortunately this warranty thingy is working out and eventually I will get my Lava back. I can't wait. The gas mileage on this loaner is KILLING ME!