Paulie

Hi all, I managed to find a new heater console which has improved the heat delivery into the supra. That is to say, I now have some heat. It's not red hot, but it's better than the cold air that was delivered before. I've noticed on the new unit that the top row of buttons and thermostat dial on the heater console have no illumination. Looking at the back of the unit I can see two grey bulbs and I'm guessing that there are loads more but I've no idea where they might be. Does anyone know how to get to the bulbs behind the buttons, and how I might do an LED conversion on these bulbs? I've seen a chap in the US offering a service to swap out these bulbs for LED and to add some coloured LEDs (which look pretty good). I'm reluctant to send my unit to him in case it gets lost in the mail; these things seem rather hard to come by these days. Thinking about it, could it be that all of the bulbs on the top have blown or is it more likely that there's an issue with the console causing all top row of buttons and thermostat dial to fail to light up? Thoughts anyone? Paul

Now that's a really good idea. I'll do a search for a wiring diagram and an LED dimmer to hide behind the dash. Thanks again. Paul

Thanks Rider, I'll have a look about. To be honest, the ones I bought were pretty cheap. I may have to dig deeper into my pockets and buy some better quality ones next. Still, it's given me good practice taking out the clocks. It's been about 15 years since I did that but it all came flooding back.

Hey guys, Just as a cautionary note. I changed the dash LED's for these purchased from eBay. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133170599663?var=432510527940 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/372683677781?var=641481581207 You guys may not want to use the same bulbs as those above, the dials are nice and bright, and a superb green colour. But, they do have something of a flicker to them and they don't dim. If anyone has used some decent bulbs please let me know which you used, but whatever you do, don't use the ones above. Cheers, Paul

Superb diagram, is this from a service manual? I may need have to get one from somewhere, I can see it being very handy. Cheers, Paul

Thanks Scooter, do you think I have the right hoses identified (in / out correctly labelled)? I don't suppose it matters, I could just do it both ways I suppose. Oh for sure, I have some old hose up in the shed that I'll butcher, it'll be long enough to get to a bucket. I actually think I have a large clear storage container (about 60L I think), that should give me a decent view of any schmutz that comes out of the matrix. Good call with the Holts, I've always been a bit nervous about such products but I think I'll give it a go. Oh yes, I'll check for rust in the coolant pipe, good idea. I think I too would rather be cautious. Knowing my luck I'd hook it up to a pressure washer and end up flooding the cockpit. I'll take it easy and see what happens. Now that's interesting, I'll search out Chris' thread, thanks for the recommendation. Paul

Thank you, I was wondering why there was a connector between the in / out pipes. I'd have thought it would go straight through. Oh, I shall have to re-check that I have the in / out the right way around. I suppose, the worst case, I could just run a hose through it both ways. Oh dear, that's the sort of thing that would happen to me. I'd do that very same thing when re-bleeding after swapping the water pump. It is amazing that the airlock fixed itself after parking nose down on a steep hill. I've just added the funnel to my cart on Amazon, that looks like a pretty good bit of kit, thanks for recommending it. Paul.

Thanks Rider, Much appreciated as always. Wow, reading that thread is quite an eye-opener and has served to make me wonder how on earth to get rid of the airlock, it seems pretty complicated. As luck would have it, I reverse into my driveway which is up a hill (I live in Wales). So my heater matrix is currently the highest point of the cooling system....which could well fall in line with an airlock scenario.. I'm wondering what the bleed valve is that was fitted to the 200sx as mentioned in one of the comments. Or, if some sort of pipe as is fitted to the Peugeot (also mentioned) would do the trick. Given that this issue is so very common, it looks ripe for a mod of some sort.

Hey guys, Sorry to bother you again. Having got my Supra from the restorer, I have some minor niggles. One I believe may be a heater matrix that's clogged. I also am unsure what I'm looking at. I've read the excellent post by Scooter on flushing the heater matrix and I'm about to give it a go (probably this weekend), when I thought I'd find out where the inlet / outlet pipes to the matrix live under the bonnet. So a quick look when the car was up to temperature illustrated one pipe was very hot, and another cold at the points where they hit the firewall. Things then became a tad confusing, for a little way along the cold pipe, where it seems to connect to a piece of metal pipe, the hose became hot. The metal pipe seems to connect both in and out hoses into the heater matrix. When I say connect, there's a piece of metal between them, I'm not sure if it's a hollow pipe or not. Either way, to the left of this metal pipe, the out hose seems to get much warmer. I've attached a pic of what I mean and I hope it makes some sort of sense. Can anyone tell me if this bit of pipework is normal? And, does it sound like a clogged heater matrix that might respond well to a reverse flush with a hose? As an aside, the passenger footwell is dry and clean, and the little rod thing is attached to the plastic lever in the passenger footwell and moves admirably when the temperature knob is turned (I do try to read up on the forums before I ask what might be daft questions.....honest). Thanks everyone for being so supportive. With any luck this thing will behave itself before long. Best wishes, Paul

Thanks Andy, that sounds like a really good option. I think my local Maplin closed down but I’ll have a look on Amazon for some.

Wow! That’s crazy!

What did Toyota say? Did they want a fortune for them?

That's great, thanks Matt, much appreciated. Paul

Hi All, I'm back with another thrilling question that I'm hoping a kind soul will have an answer for. I have a blown bulb on the instrument cluster (it seems dark on the upper right hand side of the rev courter / upper left of the fuel gauge. Before I take out the unit I may as well replace all the bulbs back there. As sure as eggs are eggs, if I only replace one bulb, others will ping as soon as I put it back together. Does anyone know the part numbers for the bulbs I might need? Or, are there plug n' play LED versions available? I've seen these advertised and they look like they may do the trick but I've no experience with such things. https://www.ledguys.net/products/toyota-supra-gauge-cluster?variant=15406838382679 Thanks in advance, Paul

That really does help thank you so much. Brilliant!

Hi all, I've finally retrieved my car from the restorers. The heater doesn't work, the A/C doesn't work but it drives really well. I've noticed that all the screws holding in the trim piece that holds the odometer and warning lights above the clocks are missing. Does anyone know what screws I need to buy to fix? I've noticed a few posts about this but for the life of me can find no part numbers or screw sizes. Anyone have any ideas? Cheers, Paul

Yes, that’s a used price for what I assume is the whole assembly. I guess I may have to take a chance. They haven’t uploaded a pic but it’s via one of those part-finder sites which may (or may not) aid me if the part isn’t up to snuff.

I've had a price for the shifter and whole assembly. It's £191.00 from a place called Cosmos Auto Parts in Brum. It's pricey I know, but in the absence of any other options I may need to go with them. Does anyone have any experience with Cosmos? Are they good? Cheers, Paul

Hi Keron, I only wish it was just the leather. From what he’s said it’s the plastic body of the handle that’s broken. I’m not having much luck I’m afraid. Thanks for looking though. if you get one in, let me know. As an aside, the ACcompressor I bought from Rock Auto fits and is working. Paul

Great stuff, thanks for that. I’ve pinged Keron a note already. I’ll try TCB if I don’t hear back from Keron.

Hi all, I’ve had a call from the restorer. I need an auto gear lever handle. Does anyone have one for sale, Cheers, Paul

Thanks for that, I'll have a look for the write up and order the parts from Toyota. When is anything cheap for these things?

Hi all, I've just sat in and started the Supra for the first time in about 10 years (don't ask). I've noticed that the climate control unit has a number of bulbs blown, a few buttons aren't lighting up, neither are the dials. Some buttons are sticking and I'm not altogether sure if it is working well. Does anyone know where I might get it refurbished? Or, has anyone refurbished one and could give some hints n' tips? Cheers, Paul

It seems that the US seller that I bought condenser from may not actually have one in stock, even though they currently claim to have two in stock. A delivery date of 2nd of September is a bit long considering I bought it at the beginning of July. I thought it was too good to be true. The seller is on eBay and is called JEGS Performance, they have a listing for more compressors in stock here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/402121314265 I've messaged them and have not yet received a response. Their general feedback is very good but just a few claim that they've had no comms and had to cancel orders in the end due to the supplier not having stock. All a bit strange. I leave the info above for your consideration if you are looking to buy from them. I guess there are more good experiences than bad. I may now end up getting one from Toyota in the US, they seem to have stock but the prices are through the roof, as is the postage

That's fantastic news, well done. If the one I bought from Rock Auto doesn't fit, I'll pick up one of those (if they have any left). That's rotten luck. Neither of mine were held in customs, I think it's just luck of the draw. Most things that I buy from the US gets import charges.