Your shock absorbers may need to be replaced sooner than later

Qn: I recently I bought a 2003 Toyota Camry but after four months, my car speedometre became erratic. When it works, car transmission shifts well; when it doesn’t, transmission will not shift out of the first gear. What can I check?
Nelson Sempereza

Ans. Nelson, on your Toyota Camry, the common denominator between the speedometre and your transmission is the Anti locking brake system (ABS) and its wheel speed sensors. The odometre on your instrument clustre receives the speed signal from this ABS system unlike the old odometer which is connected to the transmission by a mechanical odometer cable.

Your automatic gearbox shifts in response to engine speed and wheel speed information from the engine and ABS unit respectively. The ABS control unit receives wheel speed information via the wheel speed sensors. In the event that one wheel speed sensor fails, your odometre and auto transmission will not work. the intermittent failure suggests that there is a short circuit on one of the sensor cables. A computor diagnosis will point out which one.

Qn:I am having an issue with brakes of my Toyota Corolla. The pedal needs to be pressed all the way to the floor to engage the brakes.There are no lights lit up on the dash. The pads and rotors are new, lines have been bled and we just replaced the master cylinder, and the car is still doing the same thing. What else could it be? Thanks! Odur Nathan

Ans. You need to check the wheel brake cylinders to confirm that the pistons have free play and the rubber seals are not worn or leaking. Also confirm that the cylinders have no corrosion which affects the seals.