Just Bought An Avensis

September 11, 2008

Hello

I'm a new (to me) avensis owner. I needed a cheap car to get me through the winter so I wouldnt destroy my bike. I was gonna buy a cheap banger that I could scrap next year. However to my surprise I got a VERY cheap avensis form my local car auction. It had a few little problems, bits of trim needed, most of the 'common' faults listed on this site and in dire need of a good clean. Its only cost me £25 to put most of the things right and a bit tinkering time, and a bit of surfing on the toyota owners club (thanks btw). I've now only got a clunk in the steering (which I'm hopefully going to tackle this weekend) and a gearbox issue.

For the money I bought it for if it only lasts me 6 months (the MOT) I'd be happy. However, its a great running car in (now) a great condition. Paint clean for the age, all electrics now work, unmarked toyota alloys, toyota tow bar.

I'm now thinking it might do me for years. As its very comfortable and the engine seems solid. Ok its not as fun to drive as the civic I had last year, but its nice, solid and its a toyota. So should be reliable.

The only issue I'm kind of concerned about is the gearbox. It can be quite hard to get into second gear and feels very notchy all round. Also in 5th gear if I hold the gear knob while accelerating it feels like the lever is rubbing against moving parts inside the gearbox. Now like I said before I originally bought it as a cheap winter car so I can live with gear box. I'm already starting to get used to it, but thats the only problem. So it could be good to sort it if it does last me a few years or more. I've never owned a toyota before so I dont know what the g/boxes are like.

The car is a 98 avensis 1.8 GLS manual, 88k miles, with FSH from mostly local garages, nothing it the history suggests that the gear box oil has been changed as all the itemised bills are there detailing all work done.

Any suggestions with whats wrong, what I could do, change oil. Or is the box just knackered, where I would drive it until it breaks then look into fitting one from the scrappy.

Thanks in advance

Oh yeah, its got an aftermarket red LED fitted on a blank button by the headlight adjusters. Can't seem to workout what the hell its for it has never lit up. Can't be bothered to trace where the wiring goes, although it will annoy me and I will end up doing it. Could it be something to do with the tow bar as its the only other thing that's not standard on the car.

September 11, 2008

Hello
I'm a new (to me) avensis owner. I needed a cheap car to get me through the winter so I wouldnt destroy my bike. I was gonna buy a cheap banger that I could scrap next year. However to my surprise I got a VERY cheap avensis form my local car auction. It had a few little problems, bits of trim needed, most of the 'common' faults listed on this site and in dire need of a good clean. Its only cost me £25 to put most of the things right and a bit tinkering time, and a bit of surfing on the toyota owners club (thanks btw). I've now only got a clunk in the steering (which I'm hopefully going to tackle this weekend) and a gearbox issue.
For the money I bought it for if it only lasts me 6 months (the MOT) I'd be happy. However, its a great running car in (now) a great condition. Paint clean for the age, all electrics now work, unmarked toyota alloys, toyota tow bar.
I'm now thinking it might do me for years. As its very comfortable and the engine seems solid. Ok its not as fun to drive as the civic I had last year, but its nice, solid and its a toyota. So should be reliable.
The only issue I'm kind of concerned about is the gearbox. It can be quite hard to get into second gear and feels very notchy all round. Also in 5th gear if I hold the gear knob while accelerating it feels like the lever is rubbing against moving parts inside the gearbox. Now like I said before I originally bought it as a cheap winter car so I can live with gear box. I'm already starting to get used to it, but thats the only problem. So it could be good to sort it if it does last me a few years or more. I've never owned a toyota before so I dont know what the g/boxes are like.
The car is a 98 avensis 1.8 GLS manual, 88k miles, with FSH from mostly local garages, nothing it the history suggests that the gear box oil has been changed as all the itemised bills are there detailing all work done.
Any suggestions with whats wrong, what I could do, change oil. Or is the box just knackered, where I would drive it until it breaks then look into fitting one from the scrappy.
Thanks in advance
Oh yeah, its got an aftermarket red LED fitted on a blank button by the headlight adjusters. Can't seem to workout what the hell its for it has never lit up. Can't be bothered to trace where the wiring goes, although it will annoy me and I will end up doing it. Could it be something to do with the tow bar as its the only other thing that's not standard on the car.

Seems to be quite a common problem - notchy stiff boxes.

First thing is to change the oil. Ask toyota what they recommend given the symptoms if you can get free advice over the phone. It could also be the gear linkage from what i've read.

A friend of mine had a box go on his completely; because it was an old car he wanted to get a reclaimed box. Could he find one! Apparently not many gearboxes break in the old avensis hence the shortage so you may be in luck.

Try the oil, ask about the linkages and look out for some talk of synchromesh; something to do with how the gears engage.

September 11, 2008

I'll give it a go.

Cheers

September 13, 2008

Sorry I can't help you with the gearbox but at least it's not jumping gears! About the red LED, could it be the alarm system's LED? My factory fitted alarm system has a red LED on a blank "button" but it's on the centre console. Many years ago my brother installed an LED to fool would-be-thiefs into thinking that there is an alarm system installed.

September 13, 2008

Hey,

Quick update. steering now clunk free thanks to Treuno's post. I did have a scare though when getting frustrated at my helper maneuvering the column badly when refitting. I thought I had blew something up as I heard a loud electrical spark... :o Almost sh@t myself... Although it just turned out to be the grease exploding from the spline :unsure: :lol:

Car is now spotless inside and out.

On the subject of the mystery LED indicator that never lights up. I doubt that its anything to do with the alarm as the standard fit system all works perfect including the LED in the centre console. Since I had a the panels off I traced the wires. Professionally fitted into the connector blocks by the fuses. So not a clue its gonna remain a mystery.

On changing the gearbox oil, it want obvious where I would put oil into the box so I didn't drain it. Does the haynes manual give clear instructions on how to do this, as I've had a few before that have bits missing from the manual. Just want to check before I waste 20 quid.

Cheers