Hey guys, had my UZZ31 for nearly 3 years now and I have gotten to the point where I am just sick and tired of problems, they aren't weird problems, they are normal such as blinky dash, radiator, power steer and alternator etc, they are all fixed but as soon as I fix something something else comes up!
My bloody front right air strut has started to dump air out when I am driving and wont pump up so it it is bottoming out over everything. I know the strut is fine. I think it must be the height sensor or something.
Does anyone know what it is?
I am considering selling for a UZZ30, I never thought I would say that, but studying and working part time - I just cannot afford the car.
Sunday, March 07, 2010 - 06:11 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Lol you sound like me a when I thought like this a few years back!
No need to sell it!
Just spend $100-200 and about 4 hours taking the lame tired air suspension shocks out for a set of stock coils and shocks, heaps are around with people replacing theirs.
I used mine from my JZZ31 and it was fantastic after that, no more air suspension ruining the ride and handling! I also took the lines, solenoids and air pump out to save a few kilos. Sold all that stuff getting $450 back!
I can't see how you would have many other issues with the car... they are really trouble free on the whole even on a budget when I played around with mine.
To free up more cash, sell stuff you don't need like your wheels and exhaust, putting the stock stuff on for a while. You could probably get at least $1000-$1500 for selling those two things. I did that to save costs on one of my cars.
Sunday, March 07, 2010 - 06:25 pm, by: Myles Jantzen(Maxx999)
You probably have a leak in your airbag, check the air line hasn't come loose either. Like Mike said though the suspension is old and worn, either throw new coilovers in or replace the airbags 900 each.
No leaks in my airbags, as I said the height sensor is the problem.
Yeah Mike the thing is I don't want to down grade my car by taking out the air sus and putting shocks in, that's ruining a perfectly good UZZ31, hence selling for a UZZ30.
I will have to diagnose the problem and see how to replace the sensor.
Monday, March 08, 2010 - 06:03 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Old cars are expensive to run. You have to remember that if you buy a newer car you will lose just as much money in depreciation, you just don't notice it until you have to sell.
A simpler car has less stuff to go wrong, but in the end a UZZ30 will still be an old car that will have stuff go wrong.
Monday, March 08, 2010 - 09:45 am, by: Brett Cutts(Boof390)
old cars expensive to run hmmm explain that to the guy at work last week whose commodore that was weeks out of warranty with a grand total of 39 000 kms on it. He copped a new water pump, new heater tap, new radiator cap, rear shockers front radius rod bushes and a altenator (came in for a service and battery charge after a flat battery that morning) 1.4k later and and his cheap to run commodore was all better again
Monday, March 08, 2010 - 01:57 pm, by: Damian Ware(Frozenpod)
Height sensors are cheap, plenty from wrecks floating around and they are available at a reasonable price from toyota.
They hardly ever fail and all so called associated problems I have seen to date were caused by aftermarket height controllers and or factory suspension computer problems.
Monday, March 08, 2010 - 03:45 pm, by: James Buchan(Jrbuch)
Christian, there was nothing wrong with my airbags but I replaced them for the bilsteins because of the potential for things to go wrong. That's just me though. Anyway my car isn't without problems, tried starting the car today, wouldn't fire.
Jump started and all was well. I have a massive 770CA battery new at the start of last year. Ran the car for awhile today and all was well. Will have to see what the deal is tomorrow.
Monday, March 08, 2010 - 07:48 pm, by: James Buchan(Jrbuch)
I sometimes wish I had my airbags back. But they make the handling crap. Ideally i'd like some sort of compromise. Trd bilsteins are just a titch too firm for my liking. And my driveway is evil. Front lip scrapes every time! That said my drive way is so evil, a stock mid 90's falcon wagon scrapes as does my brothers stocko cressida.
On a positive note, car was alot better after the flat battery because of the ecu reset. Still trying to figure out why the battery died though. Good alternator, ps pump replaced last year, and didn't leave the lights on. Only time will tell why it did it I guess.
Monday, March 08, 2010 - 07:50 pm, by: James Buchan(Jrbuch)
btw, i've never been defected for having the coilovers, as it does say Toyota on them and the hight isn't insanely low. All I can say is, DON'T SELL YOUR CAR!!!
Tuesday, March 09, 2010 - 06:49 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Brett Cutts wrote on Monday, March 08, 2010 - 09:45 am:
1.4k later and and his cheap to run commodore was all better again
Poor bastard! Yes I also know a guy who had a similar issue with his late model Commodore a couple of years back - string of problems as long as your arm. He threatened the dealer with a disputes hearing as it was likewise just out of warranty, and they came to the party eventually - he did have to pay for some of it though.
Moral of the story is don't buy a Commodore I guess!
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old cars expensive to run hmmm 
