1995 Toyota Camry Cruise control speedometer odomete, tacho

MSCOLE

MEMBER
1995 TOYOTA CAMRY
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

This is a 1995, but I believe it is a 94, manufactured at the beginning of the 95 model year. A few days ago my cruise control light blinked a few times. The next time I started it, the problem stopped. Then the check engine light came on intermittently. I did not have a chance to get the codes checked, and I believe I lost them. A few days later, while driving under cruise control, the control disengaged, and simultaneously, the speedometer, tachometer, odometer, temperature guage, power windows, A/C, ventilation fans, and all dashboard lights (except airbag) stopped working. I could not find any blown fuses, but I probably did not find all the fuse blocks. Can you help me with a diagnosis?
I should add that the transmission seems to shift only from first to second, and the battery is dead, so the alternator is probably not working.

6 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi mscole,

Thank you for the donation.

When voltage drops it affects the operations of the engine management system.

I would suggest checking the battery condition, alternator charging and ignition switch. The switch could be faulty causing all the problems.

Since battery is falt, the stored codes would be lost so you would have to get the vehicle up and running to let the code reappear and retrieve it.

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Thursday, May 7th, 2009 AT 3:21 PM

MSCOLE

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4 POSTS

The battery is less than one year old and in good condition. The alternator warning light did not come on before this problem (except when it is supposed to, when the car is started). I don't think there was a drop in voltage until everything cut out and it stopped charging. How would I test the ignition switch?

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Thursday, May 7th, 2009 AT 5:19 PM

MSCOLE

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4 POSTS

Today I checked the ignition switch by testing the continuity according to my repair manual. It checked out ok. I found another fuse block. There was a 10 amp fuse labeled "gauge" that was blown. I replaced it, turned the ignition to on, and the proper lights in the dash came on. I jump started the car and everything seemed to be working. I turned on the A/C, it worked, I turned it off, then turned it back on again, and the gauge fuse was blown again and I was back where I started. There must be a short somewhere. I don't know if it is related to the A/C, or if the A/C just pushed me over the load. Any suggestions as to what I should try next?
I should add that there is a warning light in my dash for a burned out taillight, and it comes on most of the time. Sometimes it doesn't come on until I put the car in gear. This has been going on for months.

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Friday, May 8th, 2009 AT 10:19 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Sorry for the delay in replying.

The symptoms seems to describe a faulty compressor clutch coil or A/C related items that are causing the blown fuse.

Disconnect the AC compressor wire and run engine with A/C blower etc eorking. Check if the fuse blows again. If yes, test the A/C compressor clutch coil for shorting.

As to the warning light showing intermittently, 1 of the rear light is not working and it could be due to a bad bulb socket or ground.

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Saturday, May 9th, 2009 AT 7:12 AM

MSCOLE

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4 POSTS

Thanks for your help. It turned out to be a bad compressor clutch. I figured it out because as the bearing continued to wear it started making noise. I took it to a shop and had a new compressor installed -- the mechanic told me that on a high-mileage car he would not replace only the clutch, because the compressor would probably fail soon afterward.