2000 Camry
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1
2000 Camry
My 2000 Camry, has 93,000 miles. It has been a great car. The instrument panel has stopped working three times in the past month for about 3 minutes and then the panel came back on. I took it to a mechanic 3 times and they couldn't find the problem-everything on the car worked during these sessions except the power windows and the instrument panel- the lights always stayed on the panel. (the odometer, heat guage, RPM guage, all remained at Zero. Gas guage stayed at 3/4 of a tank. power windows didn't operate.
This happened again night before last and the guages didn't come back on. I called the mechanic again-to make another appt. (had to run to the Vet 30 miles away) he said I wouldn't worry- it will be fine. It totally shut down -27 miles from home. It was towed to the mechanic. He said it might be the alternator, or the ignition switch after through research in Toyota wiring guide- WE are at a loss. Any help is greatly appreciated...Thank you!
This happened again night before last and the guages didn't come back on. I called the mechanic again-to make another appt. (had to run to the Vet 30 miles away) he said I wouldn't worry- it will be fine. It totally shut down -27 miles from home. It was towed to the mechanic. He said it might be the alternator, or the ignition switch after through research in Toyota wiring guide- WE are at a loss. Any help is greatly appreciated...Thank you!
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 15,178
From: PTW
Was the battery dead and as a result the engine stopped running, if so then it could be the alt. If the alt fails the battery takes over until it runs down.
If the battery is OK, then something is preventing the power from getting to the engines components. Perhaps the ign switch. The actually switch can be replaced without changing the lock tumbler.
If the battery is OK, then something is preventing the power from getting to the engines components. Perhaps the ign switch. The actually switch can be replaced without changing the lock tumbler.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1
I have a 95 Camry with similar problems - the dash and heater controls stopped working. Once it was a bad fuse, replaced and all started working fine. It happened again but the fuse was fine.
Finally after a few more times of on / off symptoms the battery went dead. I tested the alternator and decided to replace the voltage regulator and brushes. The bearings and windings seemed fine at 152K miles.
Replacing the regulator fixed the problem - haven't seen another occurrence for 5 weeks. The brushes still 30% life left but replaced them while I was in the alternator.
Buying the voltage regulator from a seller on EBay was much less expensive than getting one from NAPA or O'Reilly.
Good Luck, it was frustrating trying to figure out what was causing the problem. In my case it was a failing voltage regulator.
Finally after a few more times of on / off symptoms the battery went dead. I tested the alternator and decided to replace the voltage regulator and brushes. The bearings and windings seemed fine at 152K miles.
Replacing the regulator fixed the problem - haven't seen another occurrence for 5 weeks. The brushes still 30% life left but replaced them while I was in the alternator.
Buying the voltage regulator from a seller on EBay was much less expensive than getting one from NAPA or O'Reilly.
Good Luck, it was frustrating trying to figure out what was causing the problem. In my case it was a failing voltage regulator.
