Economy (not) Light?

[morrishound]

Hi All, My '97 1.8 Carina e is super reliable and shows no other problems but yesterday the "economy light" stoped working. Does this indicate fuel injection, exhaust catalyst problem or just a failed bulb?

Morrishound.

[Orcus]

Hi All, My '97 1.8 Carina e is super reliable and shows no other problems but yesterday the "economy light" stoped working. Does this indicate fuel injection, exhaust catalyst problem or just a failed bulb?

Morrishound.

I've got the same "problem" on my Carina, It has been like that since last summer when I had a heavy skylift after the car, worked fine when we started the trip but at the end of that 10km trip the light never lightened up again, I havent noticed any error driving without that light, so probably its just a failed bulb but I dont know for sure.

[jaggercdx]

This happened on my 1996 Carina e after only a few months. It turns out that it was the best thing that could have happened as it meant that my co-driver was no longer able to constantly nag me to death about driving in an en-economical manner.

Probably just the bulb, by the way... nothing to worry about

Jaggercdx

[davidk]

Hi All, My '97 1.8 Carina e is super reliable and shows no other problems but yesterday the "economy light" stoped working. Does this indicate fuel injection, exhaust catalyst problem or just a failed bulb?

Morrishound.

I've got the same "problem" on my Carina, It has been like that since last summer when I had a heavy skylift after the car, worked fine when we started the trip but at the end of that 10km trip the light never lightened up again, I havent noticed any error driving without that light, so probably its just a failed bulb but I dont know for sure.

I have similar "problem" OK if its just a bulb how easy is it to replace? if its anything like a window regulator its a real "pain in the *****" ( took garage 2hours!!!) Lady wife "insists" bulb is replaced!!!so would welcome advice cant afford anymore garage charges!! Dave

[Orcus]

I have similar "problem" OK if its just a bulb how easy is it to replace? if its anything like a window regulator its a real "pain in the *****" ( took garage 2hours!!!) Lady wife "insists" bulb is replaced!!!so would welcome advice cant afford anymore garage charges!! Dave

I havent checked if its possible to change bulbs from underneath, otherwise you should be able to follow this guide the first 2 steps to remove the meters and then change bulbs easily.

http://www.toyotaextreme.dk/projvis.asp?id=37

[davidk]

I have similar "problem" OK if its just a bulb how easy is it to replace? if its anything like a window regulator its a real "pain in the *****" ( took garage 2hours!!!) Lady wife "insists" bulb is replaced!!!so would welcome advice cant afford anymore garage charges!! Dave

I havent checked if its possible to change bulbs from underneath, otherwise you should be able to follow this guide the first 2 steps to remove the meters and then change bulbs easily.

http://www.toyotaextreme.dk/projvis.asp?id=37

Many thanks, seems straight forward, I will give it a try!

[Josh_]

I have similar "problem" OK if its just a bulb how easy is it to replace? if its anything like a window regulator its a real "pain in the *****" ( took garage 2hours!!!) Lady wife "insists" bulb is replaced!!!so would welcome advice cant afford anymore garage charges!! Dave

I havent checked if its possible to change bulbs from underneath, otherwise you should be able to follow this guide the first 2 steps to remove the meters and then change bulbs easily.

http://www.toyotaextreme.dk/projvis.asp?id=37

Forgive me if I'm being stupid, but having removed the old dash bulb, I can't see any indication as to what voltage/wattage it should be. Will any 12v bulb that fits be the right thing? Is the twistlock body something to buy with the bulb?

The top two on this page seem like what I need - one is with, one without the body: http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/home.php?cat=588 - R286 bulb; R509T bulb and holder

[Neuroner]

I have changed bulbs in there too, with the same problem (No indication of wattage apparent)

I stuck a bulb in there and put it back together, and it works like a charm. If it fits, it works. 12V

is the only voltage you need to think about unless you're planning on doing something complicated.

However, my replacement bulb was stronger than the original one, giving my displays something I like

to think of as a cool faded look from left to right ^^

- A note on the Economy light - on my 93 carina e xli the economy lights (one orange when you drive

like a human, and one green one for when you drive like an old man in a hat) are both LEDs, and not

at all bulbs.

If you change theese, be sure to set the cathode (the LEDs longer leg, being the one towards ground)

in the correct position. If done the other way around, no light will shine. This can easily be tested with

a standard nine volt Battery, by placing the legs from the new diode (LED) on the Battery terminals.

Once it lights up, you've got the right leg on the right terminal.

Hope to have clarified sutff more than I've confused you