I have a 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser...as such, 95% of the time I need to go to a specialty shop that deals in just Land Cruisers...but I had an electrical issue which needed special attention. Auto Electric Specialties was recommended at the HIGHEST level.
I made the appointment and the shop was booked solid for a month and a half...to me, this is a good sign. About a week prior to my appointment I called and spoke with the woman who helps run the shop...very nice woman by the way. I confirmed my appointment and then came in a few days later.
he shop has been there for near 40 years and the guys who work there have a combined knowledge set of over 100 years in the auto repair industry...so, I KNEW I was in good hands.
Stephen was the guy who was given my Land Cruiser and we ran down the list of items:
Sunroof not opening (not even a sound of an attempt when depressing the button)
Cigarette lighter (for charging) not working
Light in ashtray not working
All window buttons not working
DS lock working but not the rest
Clock not working
Stereo not working
Rear dome light not working
Antenna not working
Right side instrument panel lights not working (But left side of panel lights up)
Side mirror controls inop
Green ring around ignition stays on ALL THE TIME it shouldn't
He dove right in...he pulled the dash apart and chased wiring, and three hours later, BAM! the problem was found and resolved.
The problem?
Water corrosion...mostly.
Which was due to the sunroof not being sealed due to it not having power. All of the behind the dash, at the kick panel, and at the fuse box electrical points were cleaned, and with power restored to the sunroof, the 1/16 inch that was opened (and flex taped) is now sealed...so, electrical connection points were cleaned of corrosion, a relay that was bad was replaced, and we found WHY the P.O. placed a circuit breaker buss in the fuse panel; a wire in the door panel wiring loom came loose and was leaning on the sharp edge of the door sheet metal under the panel...after almost thirty years, the vibrations cut through the insulation and when the hot wire hit the metal, BAM! it finally fried everything. Hence the breaker. Before finally frying everything it would make contact and simply short things out...hence the intermittent stereo and clock.
Short story long...Stephen (and Terry on an assist) were able to get my Land Cruiser power where I hadn't had power for almost EIGHT YEARS...no one had been able to find the issue, which was laying hidden in an arc'd wire in the door panel loom.
If you're looking for outstanding work on your car/truck and no one else has been able to figure it out...and at an extremely FAIR price...go and see the guys at Auto Electric Specialties! You won't regret it!
And when everything is finished, go back up to the store and get a couple dozen donuts and take them back...it will be super appreciated!
Thanks! read more