changing cabin filter -- I SWEAR, I checked several places already??

Seeing this thread slow down has been disappointing. Can we all send cyberprius some wine (and cheese for the mice) to get things started again?

 

I have a different, possibly less entertaining, problem with changing the cabin air filter. I foolishly had the local dealership do this task, and they broke the glove box door clean off. They said it was jammed and wouldn't come off and the filter really needed changing. It's the 2 plastic clips on the back that are broken and the dampener thingie on the side is gone.

They offered to install a new one for me, but I'd have to buy the assembly for over $100. No, thanks.

Has anyone else had a similar problem, and does anyone know of any source for the glove box assembly *other than* the local dealership? I'm planning to try junkyards - who knows?!

 

Let me understand this:

You asked them to change the filter, they broke a part on your car and now they want you to pay for the broken part?

:doh:

I would request that they fix the part they broke. If they don't, then I would call Toyota Customer Service and request they fix the part the dealer broke.

They broke it, they should fix it.

 

You have an '01 ?!? Hey there ol timer. That happened to me back in '04. I don't even think they're (Gen I vs Gen II) the same, are they? The dealer broke ours under warranty so they ate it. You'd do better price wise, to check with salvage yards.

 

I agree with dogfriend. There's two clips, and the suspension/dampener-thingy on the right that slides off. If you don't do these relatively easy things, you can break it if you force it. Sounds like they didn't know what they were doing and forced it. Strongly. You shouldn't pay for their incompetence.

 

Yup, it is an '01 - been to Alaska and back, creeping up to 95K miles, with very few problems.

And yes, I agree that the dealership should replace the part - I'm resuming that battle with them, but, to be fair, when they had the car in the shop, they called and told me the glove box door seemed to be jammed and wouldn't come off properly, said the filter really needed to be changed, and they might have to break it to get it off (the glove box had never acted jammed in normal operation). I stupidly said they should do what they needed to get the job done, partly because I was in shock at some other, unrelated car news they had for me that I won't go into here! I had not yet discovered John's website with the fantastic description of how to change the AC filter, or I would have tried doing the whole job myself.

So, I'll keep trying salvage yards.

 

Sounds good - not hearing anybody else with a similar problem makes me feel more justified in complaining louder to the dealer.

Thanks for the input. And I will never take a car in for service again without learning everything I can about the issue beforehand!

 

How did they know it needed to be changed if they couldn't get the glove box door off to inspect it? It's not like there's a "cabin filter change required" light on the dash.

 

Maybe the Gen I has a tiny glass observation window

 

They said they got the glove door moved enough to peer behind it and see debris caught around the filter.

 

They are nuts. End of story. Even if you could get the glovebox moved far enough to see behind it, there is no way to see past the cover for the filter.

If they broke it, they should pay for it. Polite persistance.