Dash Wiring Problems of Toyota 4Runner

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noted that there were cracks in the dashboard near the air vents. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the dashboard was cracking and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer also sent a letter asking owners to take the vehicle to a dealer to have the dashboard inspected however, the dealer stated that the repair part was not available. There was no recall on the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

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My vehicle: 1999 Toyota 4runner limited w/ port installed auto dimming mirror the + and - wire that goes to the auto dimming mirror were accidentally shorted almost causing a fire. Here's the problem as to why it's a fire hazard: it turns out that when the mirror was installed (either port option or dealer option on limited's and sr5's w/ sunroofs - not installed in japan), they just ran a wire (actually two - a ground and a "hot" wire mated together) down to the driver side kick panel and "hopped" the hot wire onto a hot lead of the power accessory circuit coming from the driver side door. This circuit is on a 30 amp slow-burn fuse. This creates a very dangerous situation if the wires to the mirror were to cross somehow - as they did for me. The fuse will not immediately blow and the wires can get hot enough to ignite the insulation or surrounding material before the slow-blow fuse will eventually break the circuit. This can take as long as 10 seconds depending on current and heat generated in the slow-burn fuse.

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During the day instrument panel is not well lit, causing poor visibility of the speedometer and warning indicators.

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Dashboard gauges, escpecially speedometer and fuel gauge, are difficult or impossible to read in daytime. Situation is made worse when wearing sunglasses. Problem is that gauges are recessed too deep and letters are not contrasted enough with dash plate (ie light gray on dark gray). Toyota acknowledges problem as they have issued a TSB which essentially keeps dash lights on all the time. Turning on dashboard lights does not solve problem as lighting is an amber color. Solution is two stage lighting. Bright white in daytime and amber or blue in night.

Previously submitted as : 10060723 ,ammending dealer,purchase date and incident date: dashboard gauges, escpecially speedometer and fuel gauge, are difficult or impossible to read in daytime. Situation is made worse when wearing sunglasses. Problem is that gauges are recessed too deep and letters are not contrasted enough with dash plate (ie light gray on dark gray). Toyota acknowledges problem as they have issued a TSB which essentially keeps dash lights on all the time. Turning on dashboard lights does not solve problem as lighting is an amber color. Solution is two stage lighting. Bright white in daytime and amber or blue in night.