4ws Warnings On Used Celica ?

[les050964]

Hi All

Just looking at a cheap runner for the next few months and spotted one local to me up for grabs.

Toyota Celica 2.0 litre 16 Valve Automatic Sports Coupe Black GT-R 4WS (four wheel steering) Petrol (unleaded) H-reg 1991 (Imported Japan to UK in 1999).

This car runs well, has an MOT until 21 August 2006 and road tax until 31 August 2006.  The A14NGA private plate will be taken off the vehicle and it will revert to an H-reg.

It has all the extras of an import: overdrive facility; power boost button; sports mode; both two and four wheel steering modes; light sensor headlight operation; electric windows and wing mirrors; Kenwood CD/Radio KDC-7080R head unit with Kenwood 10-disc changer (KDC-C715) in boot and Alpine Speakers; Toad Laserkey Category 2 (Issue 2) multipoint immobiliser; non-factory sports alloy wheels.

At MOT on 22/08/05 it was fitted with four new tyres (205/50-WR-16 Federal - £292 total). A brand new alternator (£425) and washer motor were fitted by Toyota servicing on 16/12/04. A new battery was fitted on 17/11/04 by Nationwide Autocentre who also replaced the cam belt and fitted new brake discs and pads on 14/08/04. I have all receipts and documentation from 1999.

It was fully externally re-sprayed black on 18/12/03 to cover general wear and tear (but has some slight scratches now).  The interior is clean and in good condition.

Downsides: oil leak (not severe); 4WS warning light on (needs attention and I have diagnostic codes from web); air conditioning poor; tripometer is in kilometres (but the speedo is in miles).

My concerns are in the description. How serious can these issues be ? I know there are no absolutes but I would prefer to have an idea how bad these faults could be (worse case scenario). Problem is I don't really know anyone able to take a look. The 4WS looks like it could be expensive to fix if it is really that bad.

Cheers

Les

[max6674]

The 4WS light is on in my car and I have been trying for weeks on 3 forums to try and find out how to resolve it. I have been told that it could be the fluid levels that need topping up so may not be that bad after all... Will let you know if I ever manage to find anything out..

[les050964]

It would be appreciated, I like the look of the car but I am wary taking a chance on something that is still fairly specialised. I don't suppose anyone knows of a company with expertise in imports vehicles anywhere in East Yorkshire ????

The 4WS light is on in my car and I have been trying for weeks on 3 forums to try and find out how to resolve it. I have been told that it could be the fluid levels that need topping up so may not be that bad after all...  Will let you know if I ever manage to find anything out..

←

[=IWM= Spectre]

The 4WS light is on in my car and I have been trying for weeks on 3 forums to try and find out how to resolve it. I have been told that it could be the fluid levels that need topping up so may not be that bad after all...  Will let you know if I ever manage to find anything out..

←

Although you might have checked allready but is there a relaysensor for the 4ws as these tend to go and give these sort of probs prob barking up the wrong tree lol but allways worth a check as they are cheap to replace....

[mikeb]

Well if the seller has the diagnostic codes, then presumably he knows what is wrong with the 4ws system. <_<

I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole mate. Unless you can be absolutely sure what the fault is, it could cost more than the value of the car to fix it.

Also, the respray sets alarm bells ringing. Check very carefully for accident damage.

[les050964]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I will give this one a miss and hope something along the same lines comes up later :)

[GT4 BOOSTER]

search the auto trader web site mate , loads on there for sale.well within miles of york - as mentioned steer clear of four wheel steer

[aggers]

I have the 4WS warning appearing on my Celica (import) too. Local garage not come across this problem before and reckon a couple of hours to diagnose! So I would be appreciative if any one has had the same problem and how it was resolved???

My first Celica (1998) and love it!