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Hi All, I thought I'd post this solution here, in case it's of use to other folk on the forum. Recently, the speedometer on my 2002 Rav4 (4.2) VVTi 1998cc Petrol, failed. To begin with, I was driving down the motorway, and the needle went nuts, dropping to 0 MPH then coming back up to my cruising speed, on and off in quick succession. After about 5 minutes of the speedometer needle bouncing up and down, it finally stopped altogether. After about 20 minutes of further driving, the Engine-Management light came on too, indicating a trouble code (no doubt due to the loss of vehicle speed input). Most of the research I did on the internet pointed towards the fault being with the vehicle speed sensor, which is located in the gearbox (close to the firewall, towards the right hand side of the gearbox). However, whilst trying to troubleshoot the issue, I inadvertently came across an article that suggested the problem could lie with water getting into a connector block, inside the vehicle. The connector block in question lives behind the driver's side kick panel, just to the right of the accelerator pedal: Indeed, when I removed the kick-panel, and unplugged the very bottom white connector block, I found evidence of corrosion (green build-up visible in pic), and the cable was wet: I believe in my case, the water is entering from the sunroof, and making it's way down the driver's side windscreen pillar, and down the wiring loom until it reaches this lowest point. A squirt of WD40 into the connector, and some cleaning up of the contacts restored my speedometer back to full operational status. I was very glad I found the real issue before I spent considerable money on a new VSS!! Here's hoping this saves somebody else some heartache too! :) PS: Now I need to overcome the leaky sunroof! :D :D

I hope they don't move up too much in size, the current Prius is just the right size as far as I can see. All they have to do with the new Prius is: Sort out the dash, keep the HUD and digital display but, but reduce the amount of plastic! Make it even more economical. Extend the battery range. Find a way of having a spare wheel. Then just revamp the look so you recognise it as a new Prius!

Update on mine: It hit the big 147k this weekend. I have got a couple of issues. Acceleration has become very sluggish after I piled through a partially flooded road last week. Had very little option really considering speed and the fact it was on a blind bend. I think I've killed either the throttle position sensor or maybe even the lambda sensor. I also have a small coolant leak which is possibly the waterpump. It's due to be replaced along with the cam-belt this spring so no big deal. Otherwise, business as usual. A real 'turn key' car.

Probably not, but the difference in fuel costs will be insignificant when set against all the other costs of car ownership

Yes, I don't know what grade your engine is supposed to use but as a top up for a month or so until the oil change I'm sure it will be fine.

You'll have to remove the front bumper to access the washer bottle and pump, video on Youtube which is near enough the same. Incidentally, grouch I have about the new Auris washer bottle - they used to have a plastic tube attached to the cap that acted like a dipstick to let you see the level of fluid in the bottle and now there's no tube attached. Talk about Scrooge economics, they make a Scotsman look like a spendthrift.

must be cold in London your fingers have turned blue.

Hello Jack. I have attached .pdf file with the info in there, it's for the up to 2005 model avensis but apart from the built in indicator it will be the same Pete. WINDSHIELD, WINDOWGLASS & MIRROR.pdf

I experience the same problem too. I have bought a Toyota Avensis Verso built 2004. The d4d 2.0l engine is making noise when in 4th or 5th gear when the engine runs between 1500rpm and 2200rpm at medium to full throttle. The noise can be described as diesel knock. Toyota is still investigating the problem and their first thoughts go to a resonance in the exhaust system (?). I do not believe this is the case. I guy who drove with me who used to work with Perkins UK confirmed to me that the noise originates from "uncontrolled combustion" or diesel knock. I am trying to convince Toyota to repair/ replace the engine. I hope they solve the issue because life time of such an engine is not garuanteed (what with fuel consumption?). They let me drive another Avensis Verso, it exhibited the same problem in a much much lesser extent (smaller rpm range with issue, only at full throttle) - most likeley a large population of cars suffer from this. Hello peeps, I have the Avensis 2.0 D4D on an 05 plate with 45,000 miles on the clock (taxi). I had that noise too, mostly going up hill in 4th or 5th. In the last week I've had the idler pulley and tensioner just under the power steering pump, as well as the belt, replaced foc under warranty. The sound diminished slightly but not completely so took in back in next day and they changed the air conditioning pump, hey presto, no more embarrassing noise when going up hill or pulling away. And it’s not the only one, mine is a taxi and we have 10 identical cars on the fleet and they all make the same noise. Needless to say the rest of the cars will be heading for the dealers in the next few days. Oh and before I forget I had a squeaky clutch pedal too so they replaced the master cylinder which has made a hell of a difference to the gear change, much smoother. Hope this helps.