A couple of newbie questions

Hi all,

I bought my first Taco a little over 2 weeks ago. It is a '01 4wd SR5 TRD 5 speed. So far I am loving it but have a few questions. I am sorry if these are asked over and over, but I've tried searching with no luck.

1) I bought the truck in 60 degree weather on the Front Range on Colorado. Since then, it has lived in the moutains, starting every morning in cold weather (below 40). Upon start-up there is a whine comming from the engine, it is not very high pitch, definetly not a squeal, and really not all that loud. At first I thought it was a fan clutch or bearing or something, but then I noticed when I turn the steering wheel all the way in one direction the noise quits. I now taco's are known for poor power steering pumps, but at the sime time this doesn't exibit normal PSP faliure issues. After driving for maybe a quarter mile, the noise quits. I do not notice the noice when the car starts and is warm. Also, the PS fluid was very slightly low when I checked it, but I added maybe 2-3oz without change.

2) Possibly related: 95% of the time my steering wheel is in perfect alignment. Just today I went through 3 gears without touching the wheel. The other 5% the car pulls fairly hard to the left. Don't know if this is a PSP or rack issue or what? For all I know its nothing at all and me being worried about my new truck.

3) On the dash just to the right of the clutch start cancel button, there is a little red light. Any idea what it is for? I have never seen it light up. I know there was a security option from the dealership. Is this realted and how can I tell if there is one? I did not get any key fobs with my car. If it is of any relations, I unplugged my battery to install a new stero deck, when I hooked it back up, the horn beeped twice.


Thanks in advance,

I'm sure I'll come up with a few more questions for you guys,

Brett

 

The red light is for the TDS(theft detection system) look for a switch underneith the dash. Sometimes on the left side near the cluch.

 

maybe the power steering fluid needs to be flushed. i believe there is a small metal screen at the bottom of the reservoir that is a filter. it could be a little clogged, i used a turkey baster to get some fluid out, got the filter and replaced fluid a few times. i dont think mine had ever been changed....going to do a proper flush soon

 

I have noticed the same alignment problem in my truck.... sometimes it's driving perfectly straight, and the steering wheel is straight... other times it's pulling to the left and I have to drive with the wheel cocked to the right.. Very annoying. Im curious if anyone knows what the issue is with this.

 

Penquin, I too live in the mountains and when I first start my truck there is a slight whine to it as well. I usually let it warm up for a few minutes before driving and it goes away after about a minute. Not sure what it is that is making the sound
As for the pulling to the left, I would try changing the fluid in your power steering system. If the power steering fluid was really low, it could have possibly caused damage to the power steering pump. Hopefully it isn't your power steering rack. I just replaced the rack on my truck after it went out 3000 miles after I purchased it. I had it replaced by Toyota in CO Springs. Cost was about $1000!

Not sure about the light, my 02 does not have any light over there!

Good luck!

 

Not trying to sound like a douche, but could it just be the grade of the road and/or ruts in the pavement?

If it drives straight 95% of the time and seems to pull in a direction very rarely, then I don't see how it could be an alignment issue? Then again I'm a self-admitted knob.

And Brett - I live down on the front range and when it's cold it sometimes has that very faint whine. It's been like that for 13 years now.

 

Thanks everyone for the help,

Goomba, I dind't see any switch. Do you have any other info on the TDS? I would probably rather go without it too, don't know if it is as simple as pulling a fuse.

As for the PSP issues:

I flused it tonight. The old fluid was brown and smelled old and possibly burnt, probably has never been flused in 201K. The filter in the reservoir was very dirty which I think was causing most of my issue. Got some new fluid in there and it is working great. I will report back if it still whines when I start it up tomorrow morning.

Madjik,

I new someone was going to say that! And no, it does not seem to have to do with the road grade. I do agree though, it doesn't sound like your typical alignment issue. Also, it never pulls to the right. That issue still persists after the flush.

Thanks again for everyone's help,

Brett

 

Fired it up this morning. 25 degrees out and no whine. So at least that was a easy fix.

Any opinions on removing the filter in the reservoir and adding an aftermarket in-line filter on the return line? Seems like that stock filter is a weak point. I will probably flush it again in a month or so just to clean it out anyways.

Brett

 

oh, I forgot about the little light, i am getting old and my reg. laptop died (its covered) getting fixed, and i did not backup the bookmarks I saved but they will be recovered..anyway on another forum there are some steering fixes for 1st gen in addition to the ones here.
and the little light is a aftermarket kill system. LOOK HARD WITH LIGHT IN THE FOOTWELL OF DRIVERS SIDE for a little toggle switch. if there that is.
when the battery is out or has died and you put a new one in it resets......
for me it was not a pleasant surprise...
for me when i reset the computer i am ready and when i open the door i put key in ignition flip on and at same time flip toggle switch.
well most people don't maintain things like they should, and all the fluids need to be changed reg. and would not have that kind of build up. dont feel bad mine was in the same shape, even after several very good washings i had bought a set of the rhino ramps for suv's and when it was warm the other week i got up early and went to the car wash put her up on the ramps and really cleaned the dirt away with big brushes and a all night presoak of mean green.
you should plan on changing and flushing all the fluids as soon as you can. i have one, if you are doing it yourself, invest in a one person flush kit.
check the clutch fluids and on here there are very good write ups to replace or rebuild the master cylinder and the slave one. i have done both to mine and it makes a difference! use the types of fluids the owners manual tells you, and with each one if you can afford it step it up to synthetic.
one thing that I think is funny, now I love and respect my dad, but we have never seen eye to eye when it comes to car/truck maintenance, so I keep my mouth shut and help if I can, but have listen to him complain about how hard it is to change the oil and filter on these 4x4's because its all shielded, now since it did warm up early this year and I was cleaning her I took the skid plates off, and shit, that is what came out by the pounds, dirt, crap, gravel, texas red clay,(no weed ).... and i cleaned them but sorry people, it is easy as hell to just take the plates off and change the oil and put them back!! you dont have to even jack the truck up......I cant say anything too him because he will think i am making fun of him, but try to change the oil under a lowered mustang gt, then we can talk about pain in the ass. and as far as rusting and they are cheap 12m nuts..(why dont automakers do this) find a fastonal store, or a ace hardware and get grade 8, they cost a little more, but they won't rust or strip out easy.

 

See if the little red light is also a push button. Mine is. Pushing it in is valet mode.

 

Forgot about this ^^. I would check if it is for valet mode. If it is not then, you may not beable to turn yours off. My clicker uses the TDS computer, so if i pull the fuse i cannot use my clicker to lock and unlock my doors.

 

Here's a picture of the light. It doesn't push in, and I still don't see a toggle switch under the dash. The install looks too good to be a goofy aftermarket thing though. The trim is all recessed and it is mounted secure. If there is a alarm would there be another fuse or wiring somewhere. If I can't use it I don't want it going off accidently.

 

Edit: sorry I didn't look at the pic before I posted. It's not what I thought it was.

 

looks like the TDS to me. Check and see if there is a TDS operating manual in the glove box, you have a newer model than me so you may beable to turn the alarm on and off by the clicker.

 

There is no manual or other info on it that I'm aware of. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but even the '01's didn't come with a clicker stock. And I didn't get one when I bought it.

 

You, sir, are correct. The OEM alarm system wasn't offered until 2003 I believe.

My truck came with an aftermarket alarm and I believe I have a light just like that below my change drawer. I set it off by accident one day and couldn't figure out how to turn it off. It disabled the ignition as well so I couldn't drive it. I ended up pulling the fuses (located above my clutch pedal) so it's permanently disabled. I would not mess with aftermarket alarms that somebody else installed, especially if you do not have the FOB.

If you want to check that light out, follow its wires. That may involve some dash disassembly, but detective work is never easy! Another way to look is if there's a speaker of sorts (looks like a mini loudspeaker) in the engine bay. Mine has one, which I will be removing when I get a chance.

 

Check the boots on either side of the Rack. just take the clamp off and slide the boot back. if fluid is in the boot your rack needs to be replaced. (happening to my truck now)

 

new owner here.have 2008 ex cab 4cyl.beside glove box(when down) is a cyl approx 3"in lengthx3/4" in dia.plastic,has cap on it.attached at base swivel.any idea what it may be?