How to Change the Battery in a Toyota Car Key

When your Toyota remote quits working because the battery in it is dead, it is fairly simple to change the battery and have your remote working just like new. Some Toyota dealers may provide this service for free. If not, or you prefer to do it yourself, all it takes is a couple of small tools, a new battery and some patience.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Tiny Phillips head screwdriver
• Tiny flathead screwdriver or small prying device
• Rubbing alcohol (optional)
• Cloth or cotton ball (optional)

1. • 1

     Turn your remote over so that the Toyota symbol is facing up. If you look along the top edge of the remote you will see a small "crack" in the plastic about a 1/4 of an inch below the top of the remote. The crack runs all the way around that side of the remote. That crack is actually where the piece of plastic you are going to remove slides onto the remote. Just look to see where the crack goes so you have some idea of what is going to be removed from the remote.

   • 2

     Look at the bottom of your remote to see if it has a lever. If it has a lever, slide it and a small key will come out of the remote so you can open the door even when the remote is not working. Use the lever to remove the key. Keep in mind that when you are removing the plastic piece referred to in step one, as you slide it off you will have to move this lever as if you were removing your key to fully release the plastic piece.

   • 3

     Stick the flathead screwdriver or small pry tool gently into the crack located at the top of your remote and as you slide the lever push in a downward direction. You are not trying to pull the plastic piece off the remote, but rather you are sliding it off the remote. If you are releasing the lever, the piece of plastic should slide off. You should see four small Phillips head screws once the plastic piece has been removed.

   • 4

     Remove the screws and remove the plastic cover over the battery. Either on the piece of plastic covering the battery or on the battery itself it will state what size the battery is. Replace the battery with one of the same size. The (+) side should face up. The battery will state on it which side is the (+) side.

   • 5

     Replace the piece of plastic that covers the battery and check to make sure the remote works before you put the screws back in. If the remote does not work correctly make sure that you have properly inserted the battery with the (+) side up and that it is sitting flat inside the remote. If it still does not work properly, check to make sure the connectors do not have corrosion on them. If the connectors have corrosion you will generally see a white powdery substance on the battery you removed or the connections underneath. If you see this, remove it with a little rubbing alcohol on a small cloth or cotton ball being careful not to get your remote wet. Once you are certain the remote is working properly you can put it back together.

   • 6

     Replace the screws and then slide the outside plastic piece that you removed back onto the remote making certain you have clicked it firmly into place. As you are sliding it back onto the remote, you will once again have to move the plastic lever to get the plastic piece all the way back on.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have a screwdriver small enough for the job, they are inexpensive and you can likely pick one up at the same place you purchase your battery.

How to Replace the Bumper on a Toyota Tundra

Bumper removal is a simple task that requires removal of a few basic bolts.

If you have been in an accident or recently scratched your Toyota Tundra's bumper, you may find that it is time to replace it. Fortunately, bumper replacement is a relatively simple task that does not require a lot of specialty tools. You can purchase front and rear bumpers from aftermarket parts dealers, a Toyota dealership or a salvage yard and install it at home within a few hours.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Jack stands
• Socket wrench
• Replacement bumper

1. • 1

     Disable the airbag, or supplemental restraint system, before working near the airbag sensors on your bumper. Point the wheels straight ahead and turn the ignition key to the "Lock" position. Disconnect the negative battery from the terminal and wait at least two minutes for the back-up power supply to be depleted.

   • 2

     Apply the parking brake and lift the vehicle up on jack stands.

   • 3

     Remove the fog light bulbs by disconnecting the electrical connector from the back of the holder and rotating the bulb counter-clockwise to remove it from the housing.

   • 4

     Remove the bumper arm-to-body bolts from each side of the bumper. If you wish to remove the entire set up from the frame, remove the bolts attaching the brackets to the frame rails. Pull the bumper away from the vehicle and set aside.

   • 5

     Hold the new bumper in place and begin to replace the arm-to-body bolts on each side of the bumper. Partially tighten all bolts first and then go back to each bolt and fully tighten. Confirm the bumper is properly aligned and securely attached to the brackets.

   • 6

     Reconnect the fog light bulbs and insert into the electrical connector back into the housing.

   • 7

     Enable the air bag system and reconnect the battery cables. Lower the vehicle from the jack stands and disengage the parking brake.

Tips & Warnings

• It is best to use a partner to hold the bumper in place during installation. However, if help is not available, ensure that you rest the end of your new bumper on padding to prevent scratching during installation.

How to Change Timing Belts on a Toyota Rav4

The 1996 through 2000 Toyota Rav4 comes with a 2.0L engine. The engine is a freewheeling engine, which means that should the timing belt stretch past the scope of the tensioner, the valves will most likely not hit the pistons and no serious engine damage will occur. Toyota has not recommended a specific interval to change the timing belt, but previous use and service history dictates that it should be changed every 60,000 miles. Several special tools are needed to complete this job, all of which are available at any Toyota dealership.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Set of wrenches
• Set of sockets
• Floor jack
• Jack stands
• Lug wrench
• 6-inch block of 2-by-4-inch wood
• Crankshaft pulley holding tool handle No. 09330-0021
• Crankshaft pulley holding tool No. 09213-54015
• Puller No. 09950-50010
• Torque wrench

1. • 1

     Disconnect the battery ground cable and lay it to the side, ensuring that it does not touch metal. Unbolt the power steering pump, but leave the lines connected. Move it out of the way. Loosen the accessory drive belt tensioners using the appropriate sockets or wrenches. If the tensioner is a slider, slide the accessory toward the engine. If the tensioner is a pulley, use a wrench or socket to push the pulley toward the engine to loosen tension on the belts. Lift the belts off the pulleys.

   • 2

     Remove the alternator and its bracket using the appropriate sockets. Jack the front of the RAV4 up with the floor jack, then support it with jack stands. Remove the right wheel using the lug wrench. Remove the right engine undershield using the appropriate sockets.

   • 3

     Place the block of wood on the floor jack. Slide it under the oil pan and jack it up high enough so that the wood touches the bottom of the oil pan to support the engine. Remove the right engine mount insulator using the appropriate sockets. Remove the crankshaft pulley bolt using the crankshaft pulley holding tool and holding tool handle. Remove the crankshaft pulley using the puller. Remove the right engine mount bracket and the upper timing belt cover using the appropriate sockets.

   • 4

     Install the crankshaft pulley and its bolt temporarily. Turn the crankshaft clockwise until the timing marks on the crankshaft pulley line up at the 2 o'clock position. The notch on the pulley must line up with the zero-mark on the gauge. Check the camshaft timing marks by looking through the hole in the camshaft sprocket. It must align with the mark on the camshaft bearing cap at the 12 o'clock position. If not, turn the crankshaft clockwise one more turn, and both marks will line up.

   • 5

     Remove the crankshaft pulley bolt, pulley, the lower timing belt cover and the belt guide washer. Loosen the tensioner bolt. Push the tensioner away from the timing belt. Tighten the tensioner bolt to hold the tensioner out of the way. Lift the timing belt off the sprockets and pulleys. Remove the tensioner pulley and spring.

   • 6

     Check the tensioner pulley by spinning it in your hand. If you hear noise or if it has resistance, replace the pulley. Measure the tensioner spring. If it doesn't measure 1.81 inches for 1996 through 1997 models, and 1.65 inches for 1998 through 2000 models, replace the spring.

   • 7

     Install the tensioner pulley and the spring. Push the tensioner to the left. Tighten the bolt just enough to hold it in place. Install the lower timing belt cover and crankshaft pulley temporarily. Check that both timing marks are still lined up. Remove the pulley and the lower timing belt cover.

   • 8

     Install the timing belt, starting on the crankshaft sprocket. Route the belt over the oil pump sprocket then behind the tensioner pulley. Grab the other side of the belt and route it behind the idler pulley and over the front of the water pump sprocket, keeping the belt taut on this side. Slide the top of the timing belt over the camshaft sprocket.

   • 9

     Install the guide belt washer, lower timing belt cover and crankshaft pulley. Temporarily install the crankshaft pulley bolt. Make sure the timing marks are lined up.

   • 10

     Loosen the tensioner bolt one-half turn, and allow the tensioner to put tension on the belt. Turn the crankshaft clockwise two turns until the timing marks line up again. Turn the crankshaft slowly clockwise 1 7/8 turn until the pulley mark lines up with the 45-degree mark on the timing belt lower cover. Tighten the tensioner bolt to 31 foot-pounds of torque. Remove the crankshaft pulley and bolt. Install the rest of the parts in reverse order of removal. Reinstall the crankshaft pulley and bolt. Tighten the crankshaft bolt to 80 foot-pounds of torque.

How to Remove Back Seats in a Toyota Celica

Removing the rear seat from your Toyota Celica may be necessary for some repair work. If you need to change the carpet or if the seat itself needs some repair. The seat comes out in one piece so it will make the job easier to have a second set of hands available when you are ready to remove the seat from the car. If you are replacing the seat, you may find a good replacement seat through a salvage yard or source a new one through the dealer.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Socket set
• Ratchet

1. • 1

     Open the door, lean the front seat forward and get into the rear of the car. Lift the seat cushions under the front, center of the seat to remove the lower cushion from the latches.

   • 2

     Lean the seat backs forward and locate the mounting bracket in the center of the seat at the floor. Three bolts secure it. Remove the three bolts with a socket and ratchet then set them aside.

   • 3

     Move to the outer edge of the seat where it meets the sidewall of the car. Locate the mounting bracket there and remove the bolt with a socket and ratchet. Repeat this on the opposite side of the car. Set the bolts aside in a safe spot.

   • 4

     Lift the rear seat cushions up and slide the seat out of the door opening. Have someone help you get the seat out so you do not damage the seat or the car's interior if possible.

How to Replace Brake Pads on a Toyota Tacoma

Whether you use your Toyota Tacoma pickup truck for hauling and towing or rush-hour commuting, braking plays an important role. Properly maintaining the anti-lock braking system includes regular replacement of the brake pads. You can have an auto mechanic replace your Tacoma's brake pads, or you can do it yourself and save the cost of labor.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Tire blocks
• Tire iron
• Lifting jack
• Jack stands
• 13 mm socket and ratchet
• Vise-grip pliers

1. • 1

     Park your Toyota Tacoma in an area that allows enough room to work on both sides. Put the transmission in "park" and engage the parking brake. Place tire blocks behind the rear tires.

   • 2

     Loosen the lug nuts on the wheels of the Tacoma with a tire iron. Start loosening the lug nuts while the truck is still on the ground, so the vehicle's weight will keep the wheels from turning.

   • 3

     Raise the Tacoma with a lifting jack until the wheels are off of the ground. Lift one side, place a jack stand, then lift the other side before placing the second jack stand. The jack stands should support the truck near the front corners.

   • 4

     Finish removing the lug nuts and remove the wheels.

   • 5

     Remove the brake calipers. The calipers with the brake pads fit around the rotors. Use a 13 mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper bolts. The bolts are located at the top and bottom of the caliper on the side closest to the engine compartment. Pull the caliper from the rotor.

   • 6

     Remove the brake pads from the caliper. The pads are connected by metal clips and can be slid from the calipers by hand. If the brakes are rusted, you will need to pry the clips from the caliper with a flat screwdriver.

   • 7

     Open the caliper piston fully. The piston is the ring on the inner wall of the caliper. The piston moves to help the brake pad meet the surface of the rotor. You need to squeeze it open -- toward the wall from which it protrudes -- to reset it to accommodate a new brake pad. Use vise-grip pliers to open the piston.

   • 8

     Install the new brake pads. Slide the pads onto either side of the caliper. The pad side will be facing inward, toward each other; the metal clips will fit onto the walls of the caliper. Make sure the brake pads arc in the same direction as the calipers. This will ensure that you aren't installing the pads upside down.

   • 9

     Place the caliper around the rotor. Replace the caliper bolts using the 13 mm socket and ratchet.

   • 10

     Replace the wheels and their lug nuts. Lift the Tacoma to remove the jack stands, then lower it to the ground. Finish tightening the lug nuts.

   • 11

     Apply the brake. The brake pedal will initially feel loose. Press it two more times to restore the normal response pressure.

Tips & Warnings

• Use jack stands even though the brake repair can be done without them. If the jack fails or the vehicle is rocked off the jack, the jack stands will prevent the vehicle from falling to the ground.

How to Replace the Springs in a Toyota Tundra

The Toyota Tundra is an immensely popular full-size pickup. The Tundra quickly became a best seller with suburbanites, contractors and truck enthusiasts alike. The Tundra has coil springs in front and leaf springs in the rear to handle heavy loads. Replacing the springs on the Toyota Tundra can easily be handled by an experienced home mechanic.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Replacement springs
• Safety goggles
• Floor jack and stands
• Socket wrench and sockets
• Box wrench
• Adjustable crescent wrench
• Lug wrench
• Torque wrench
• Spring compressor and associated tools
• Tool 09727-30021
• Locknuts

1. Replacing the Front Springs

   • 1

     Raise the Tundra and support the frame with jack stands. Remove the shock absorber and install it in the tool 09727-30021 before compressing the spring.

   • 2

     Hold the shock absorber and remove the cushion and retainer along with the upper insulator on the coil spring.

   • 3

     Remove the coil spring. Inspect the other components for signs of wear and replace any worn parts including new locknuts as needed.

   • 4

     Reassemble the parts in reverse order.

   • 5

     Realign the suspension support and the absorber brush as specified by the manufacturer.

   • 6

     Lower the vehicle and remove the supports. Conduct a safety check before road testing the Tundra, but take it slow at first to be certain the suspension is adjusted correctly.

   Replacing the Rear Springs

   • 1

     Raise and support the Tundra at the frame. Put a floor jack under the rear axle.

   • 2

     Remove and disconnect the rear wheels, the four nuts and seat in the spring, the spring-to-chassis nuts and bolts. Take off the leaf spring carefully.

   • 3

     Replace the rear leaf spring and examine the other components for signs of wear.

   • 4

     Reinstall the leaf springs, spring-to-chassis nuts and bolts. Torque the bolts and nuts to manufacturer's specifications.

   • 5

     Reattach the spring seat and torque the four nuts to the manufacturers specifications. Reattach the rear wheels.

   • 6

     Remove the jacks and stands. Perform a safety check before road testing the Tundra.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy powder-coated springs which are coated with a rust proofing before the powder paint is applied and baked on. This process makes the spring much more resistant to corrosion.

• Take the pressure off the springs before disassembling. This is potentially very dangerous as the springs carry a great deal of force which is expended when their restraints are released.

How to Remove the Timing Belt on a 92 Toyota Camry

Remove the Timing Belt on a 92 Toyota Camry

How to remove the timing belt on a 1992 Toyota Camry!

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Jack
• wrenches
• sockets and ratchet

1. • 1
     

     Disconnect the negative battery cable from the terminal.

   • 2
     

     Remove the engine coolant resevoir.
     Also remove the front passenger side tire and splash shield.
     And the alternator which is below the coolant tank. It should be a few bolts.

   • 3
     

     Remove the power steering belt.

   • 4
     

     Slightly raise the engine just enough to take pressure off the passenger side engine mount. The car shouldn't lift off the ground, the engine should just move up a little bit.

   • 5
     

     Remove engine stabilizer bar.

   • 6
     

     Remove engine mount bracket.

   • 7
     

     Remove spark plug wires.

   • 8
     

     remove spark plugs.

   • 9
     

     Remove lower timing belt cover.

   • 10

     Set the number 1 piston to TDC (Top Dead Center).
     Line the crankshaft pulley groove with the "0" mark on the timing belt cover.

   • 11
     

     Check the camshaft pulley to make sure it is aligned. The hole in the pulley and the mark on the head should line up. If not, rotate the crankshaft 180 degrees.

   • 12
     

     Remove the timing belt from the camshaft pulley. If you are going to reuse the belt, makr the belt and the pulley so you know where to put it back on.

   • 13
     

     Loosen the idler pulley bolt, then once tension is off the belt, tighten the bolt a little.

   • 14

     If it is loose enough, the belt will slide off the pulley. If not, repeat the last step and move the idler farther so there is less tension on the belt.

   • 15
     

     Remove the camshaft pulley.

   • 16
     

     Remove the crankshaft pulley bolt.

   • 17
     

     Then the pulley itself.

   • 18
     

     Remove the inner timing belt cover.

   • 19
     

     Remove timing belt guide.

   • 20
     

     Draw a direction arrow on the belt, and make a mark to remember where it lined up.

   • 21
     

     Remove idler pulley, bolt, and spring.

   • 22
     

     Remove other idler pulley and bolt.

   • 23
     

     Remove timing belt!
     This is a lot of work and a lot of steps! Have fun! Installation is the reverse of removal :)