Maint. Req'd-Light & 12v with Ignition off?

Hi,

Been awhile since i needed any help with my '11 Taco, but I have a couple of questions now.

How can we turn off that light ourselves in the Tach pod that says "Maint-Req'd", after we have serviced the truck? Some special tool?

Anyone know of a special tool to remove the oil filter? None of my cup-style ones that fit over the top work & the old strap type doesn't have enough clearance to turn either.

Last question is I was shocked to find that neither of the 12v power outlets below the radio are hot with the key off. So to charge a dead phone I had to leave the key in the truck switched on & then the auto door locks would not work. So I had to leave my truck unlocked with the ignition key inside for a few hours in a motel parking lot. The only thing I didn't do was hang a sign on it, "come steal me". Anyone re-wired those outlets to be hot when the key is off?

Thanks!

 

For maintenance light, you put the key in the 1st or 2nd click position (I forget which) then push the odometer reset button. Hold it and you will see the odometer do a bit of a count down. When it clears you can let the button go.

There are different filter wrenches. Just go to a auto store a try a few and see which works. Also, if your doing you're own oil don't tighten the filter to where you need a wrench to remove it. You should be able to remove it by hand.

The power outlets are intended to be off so as not to drain the battery. If you're charging things with the truck off, you're sucking energy from a battery that isn't being recharged by the alternator.

 

There are ways to get the cig plugs always on. Check the cheap free mods post.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/4838-cheap-free-mods-6.html#post57580

There is one. Prob others too.

 

Hey Clark,

A quick way to provide an always on 12V power supply is to place an "Add-A-Circuit/Fuse" into the under-dash fuse box at the power door lock fuse location (upper right-hand position of the fuse box). Note: Keep in mind that the Toyota OEM fuses are of the “shorty” type and are not compatible with most Add-A-Circuit/Fuse accessories. However, you can purchase another “standard” mini-fuse of the same amperage (20 Amp) for the power locks, which will work just fine in the both the Toyota fuse box and in the Add-A-Circuit/Fuse accessory. Do not exceed more than a 10 amp fuse for the added accessory circuit.

Then, run the +12V wire from the Add-A-Circuit/Fuse and a separate ground wire from the vehicle frame (such as one of the mounting bolts that secure the dash framework or brake pedal bracket, etc.) to an accessory power outlet available at a local auto parts store.

I purchased one from AutoZone (This one: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...wer-outlet/_/N-25ne?itemIdentifier=425692_0_0_) that had a mounting bracket and screws included. I mounted the power outlet inside of the glove box on the right side and drilled a small hole through the rear of the glove box to pass the wires through. The power outlet has a pre-wired pigtail with quick-connect, insulated spade connectors that allow unplugging the wiring so that you can easily remove the glove box. I used a coat hanger to fish the wiring from the fuse box side to the glove box side under the dash.

This arrangement allows me to power/charge accessories while I am away from the locked vehicle and has an added bonus of concealing the accessory/phone out of sight in the glove box.

As an alternative, you could use the same Add-A-Circuit/Fuse plan to convert one of your existing power outlets below the radio to an always on version.

If you need photos, let me know and I'll take a few in the morning.

Cheers,

Roger

 

The links in that post are dead, as is the link in the post referenced from ttora.

 

Thanks to all for the info. Adding another 12V receptacle is easy enough, but is there a good way to make one of the existing ones hot all the time?

As for re-setting the Maint-Req'd light, I had no luck at all trying to get it to go out using the Odometer button. Any other ideas?

Thanks!

 

Owners manual details out resetting the maint light.

 

Access back there is pretty tight, but you can separate one of the outlets from the harness and run a separate hot feed to an add-a-circuit on the fuse block.

Ignition off. Press the ODO button to cycle to ODO (not Trip-1 or Trip-2).
Press and hold button, turn key on (do not start engine). Continue holding button. The odometer will display -----, when the entire display changes, the light will go off, release the button and turn the ignition off.

 

The light is out, thanks! First time I tried that procedure, I already had the key in "on" position before pressing the ODO button & nothing happened. The trick was as you said, hold the button down before turning the key. Thanks!

I never thought to look in the owner's manual as someone mentioned because I figured extinquishing the light was something the dealer would have to do to get your business in there for service.

On another note, I noticed that Consumer Reports recently rated our Tacos only 50 out of 100 points. I don't know about anyone else, but our Taco was such a BIG upgrade from our '85 S-10, I never even think about that old truck anymore. Don't miss it a bit, love the Taco.

 

CRAP. Didn't even check. Try that!

 

Subbed. Sorry for the bump, I'm on my phone or I would just sub without posting