TodFitch Posted December 2, 2014 Report Posted December 2, 2014 First, a digression from an off topic post: You guys post too much! Took me seeming forever to go through all the posts since last I was able to visit the forums here. Anyway, the week before Thanksgiving a lady ran a red light and the damage to my 2004 was enough that I was worried that her insurance company would declare it totaled and just give me a check for the Blue Book. Fortunately the repair estimate came in just low enough that they are repairing the car and it should be done next week. They offered a rental car but I haven't taken them up on it because we have two other cars. One down two to go. (Another digression: The lady has Allied/Nationwide insurance and they seem to be pretty good to deal with. Good enough that I am considering switching to them after this is all over. Does anyone have experience with them?) For Thanksgiving went to visit out of state relatives and decided to drive my wife's low mileage 2001. But it had been a while since it had been serviced so took it to the dealer (I don't work on the new cars as they are not my hobby). Among other things they drained, flush and refilled the hybrid cooling system. Coming back, in the desert about 100 miles from anywhere and several hundred miles from any Toyota dealer, the hybrid system fault light came one. Car still seemed to be running okay, so got it to the first place that could reasonably be called a town and checked under the hood. The coolant reservoir for the hybrid system was empty. Not just at the low mark but empty. Bought some 50/50 premixed coolant at the gas station and filled it and continued on. Last night from the hotel I cruised the Internet and found that there are a host of issues that could cause the warning light to come on but as long as it continues to act normally, charging the main traction batteries, etc. as indicated on the dash displays, it should be safe to drive. Also found out that if the fault goes away then the lights will reset after four engine starts. Fault/warning lights still on this morning so took it to the nearest dealer along our route, still about 375 miles from home. Service advisor came on over and asked what they could do for us and I started the engine to show the problem and the warning lights were off. Counted back and sure enough that was the fifth engine start since I filled the reservoir. Decided to continue home, unload the car and then take it to the local dealer that did the work and have them verify that there are no leaks and that their failure to properly fill and/or bleed the cooling system did not cause any damage. Dropped the car at the dealer about 4:30 this afternoon. They are doing all that I want for free and offered a loaner car since they will need the car over night. Declined the loaner as we still have a running car in stable. Two down one to go. And then there is one: Our only serviceable car is the 81 year old Plymouth and I have no doubts about its ability to meet our transportation needs until the new(er) cars get back from their respective shops. Good thing I took the wiper motor out a few weeks back and lubricated it as it looks like we are due for some much needed rain. 4 Quote
Ulu Posted December 2, 2014 Report Posted December 2, 2014 . . .found that there are a host of issues that could cause the warning light to come on . . .Our only serviceable car is the 81 year old Plymouth . . . Thumbs up Todd, and I gotta say I'm not surprised. I've often relied on my near-antiques as daily drivers. They were always the cars I knew I could fix too. Never owned a 30's car, but I'm sure the same applies. As for the MIL (idiot light) not only are there a host of things that will trip them, but the computer diagnostic systems are easily fooled by things we can often see and hear, but which they can't sense. After 40 years of dealing with computers the thing which surprises me most is that we don't see more runaway vehicles. A little dirty water in the wrong spot can cause all kinds of electronic confusion. Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted December 5, 2014 Report Posted December 5, 2014 Tod......you might check with that insurance company to see if they give you the daily cost of the rental car, as you didn't use it. Just a thought because, as I remember, State Farm will do that in certain situations......don't recall the details though. Quote
TodFitch Posted December 5, 2014 Author Report Posted December 5, 2014 Tod......you might check with that insurance company to see if they give you the daily cost of the rental car, as you didn't use it. Just a thought because, as I remember, State Farm will do that in certain situations......don't recall the details though. Guess I could but it is not a big deal for me. Current status: The 2001 has been back from the dealer and seems to be fine. They found no issues or damage from the low coolant but have flushed and refilled with their preferred mix. No charge. Got a email sent about 6 PM last night that the 2004 repairs are complete. I'll pick it up today. If the weather is decent (supposed to start raining again late morning) I think I'll walk over if not I'll have my wife drop me off using the 2001. I've been very impressed with the status updates from the body shop and insurance company. I'm not expecting problems but will take a pretty close look at things before taking possession. Quote
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