Rheostat/Dash Dimmer set on 'high'. Not able to adjust

I posted a link to a used one on eBay, unsure if the OP took my advice and tried that first.

 

Thanks for all the ideas and info! Back from my trip now and collected the truck. No work done, but ordered a rheostat from eBay for 25 bucks. Should arrive tomorrow. Like the idea that they switched radios a couple of times. Makes a LOT of sense! Will update (and most probably beg for advice) in the coming days.

 

Before you plug in the new to you rheostat, pull the stereo and make sure the wiring is all factory original. You could even leave the stereo unplugged when you put in the rheostat. If it works fine, but blows the rheostat when the stereo is plugged in, oh well, it cost you $25 to determine that the stereo is the problem.

 

How hard is it to pull the stereo? It makes sense to exclude the radio as the cause of the problem, just don't want to make things worse. Currently, everything works well enough, so I have that, but if I blow the radio and anything else along the way....

Well, I won't be a happy puppy.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_lhVFJGIKs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwbuB1fVj8s

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-e&q=Tacoma+Stereo+removal

 

Well, the rheostat arrived...and I couldn't wait so I plugged it into the loose connector behind the blanks on the lower left of the steering wheel. The area where the disconnected plug had fallen once it had been disconnected from the old rheostat. Funnily enough, it hadn't seemed to have moved since I poked it back in there, despite the Toyota service people having a 'good' look to diagnose the problem. Well, I just pulled it out and temporarily connected it to the 'new-to-me' rheostat from eBay.

And........

Everything works! The radio buttons work, the hazard warning works, the dimming function works, the CD slot is illuminated, the seat belt message lights up. All by connecting a $25 used rheostat.

Hmmmm....And Koons Westminster couldn't figure out what was wrong. Was going to order a new $450 part (RHEOSTAT), then a new clock/warning light panel. And were clueless on why the radio buttons didn't work.

Toyota experts, supposedly....

So thank you all for your help! I will have to install the switch properly by taking off the panel but that should be relatively easy, and I know it'll be worth it as the Rheostat fix works. You guys helped so much!!

Thank you!



(I'm guessing that the dealership was just trying to get rid of me by quoting ridiculous pricing despite promising to fix anything I found wrong with the vehicle when I bought it.

Which worked. Had my last truck for 20 years. Had it serviced at one place for almost all that time. Will NOT be going back to that particular dealership again for ANYTHING.)


Now....How do I install an intermittent wiper stalk...?

 

WOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!! Thanks for the update.

 

Easy, remove the old one and install the new one. One of my favorite mods I've done to the truck.

 

Looking on eBay now. 80 bucks or so.
Is this variable intermittent, or just one speed intermittent. Either one is better than what I have right now....i.e. NO intermittent.

 

It is always good to hear an excellent outcome for cheap even.