Radiator fan and crack dashboard questions

[kennyboi Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kennyboi]

Hi,

I am looking around for a used Prado 8 seater. I had a look at a used one and noticed the fan in front of the radiator didn't turn on. Should that be turned on when engine is running, or only turned on when engine's temperature is extremely hot?

Also, with the known issue with crack dashboard, does it always occur on models prior to Sept 2007 or more on random luck? If these earlier models don't have a crack dashboard until now, would it expected to crack in the future?

Thanks

[tez1 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tez1]

What engine and year model? I believe the radiator is cooled using a clutched fan and not a electrical fan. You are probably looking at the a/c condenser fan, which was added to later model 120's and the grande's with rear a/c I think.

[kennyboi Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kennyboi]

What engine and year model? I believe the radiator is cooled using a clutched fan and not a electrical fan. You are probably looking at the a/c condenser fan, which was added to later model 120's and the grande's with rear a/c I think.

The model inspected was 2009 grande petrol engine where I can't see the radiator fan spins. It's the fan in front of the radiator when you open the bonnet, not the larger ones behind it.

The dashboard query is relating to earlier 2003 / 2004 models.

Thanks

[tez1 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tez1]

The larger one is the radiator fan, then one in front of the a/c condenser is for the air conditioner and will turn on when the air conditioner is switched on (not sure if the rear needs to be on to trigger it). The AC condenser sits directly in front of the radiator

Dash cracks on 2003 / 2004 are inevitable.

[kennyboi Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kennyboi]

The larger one is the radiator fan, then one in front of the a/c condenser is for the air conditioner and will turn on when the air conditioner is switched on (not sure if the rear needs to be on to trigger it). The AC condenser sits directly in front of the radiator

Dash cracks on 2003 / 2004 are inevitable.

Does the fan always turn on when AC is on, as I had tested with AC on and it didn't spin. Is it an expensive item to replace?

[mkh Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mkh]

I have a 2003 and the dashboard finally cracked earlier this year. It wasn't a slow process either. Basically from one day to the next it had a crack running the entire width. Oh well...

[EddieF Member Find all posts View Profile Close EddieF]

Cracked dashes for earlier 120 models seem common. I had to look around a bit to find one with the dash Ok. My neighbor has an early 120 Grande. Dash looked fine when purchased, it was originally stored in a garage. Subsequent to his purchase the car was not kept under cover and developed cracks all over the dash within 2 years.
I did a fair bit of research on the internet about cracking dashes (not specifically the Prado issue, and may not be relevant to the later plastic dashes) and the following were fairly common comments found: Always use a sun shade on your windscreen. Dust left on the dash (combined with heat) will dry out the dash as Vinyl dashes apparently have something called plastersiser's that leach out to keep them soft and pliable. You can maintain the pliability by regularly applying products (some use armour all, but don't know if it works). I use a product that apparently adds plastercisers. Some use silicone spray but again don't know if if works long term or does more harm. My dash is still fine, fingers crossed.

[kennyboi Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kennyboi]

Is it true that the crack dashboard only affects models pre September 2007? Were models manufactured Sept 2007 to 2009 immune to this issue?

[EddieF Member Find all posts View Profile Close EddieF]

I read somewhere that the problem goes up to around 2007, however the majority I have read was around 2003-2005, there will be something on the internet to confirm.
If you are looking at buying make sure you scan the dash for micro cracks, check the lip that runs over the driver instrumentation. Check around the passenger air vent on the dash (especially if you think someone has had there foot resting up on the dash). Confirm if it has been garaged out of the sun.
If there is cracking, then negotiate the price and get a dash mat to cover the sins (replacement dashes are too expensive).
It has been hard to confirm what the actual cause of the cracking was as Toyota don't give much info away, but I am guessing it has perhaps dried out and thus gone brittle?
(I keep my dash clean with a product called Lexol Vinylex, the dash still feels soft and a bit spongy. So far so good)

[LowRange Member Find all posts View Profile Close LowRange]

Mine is a July 2007 and the dash cracked badly, it happened very quickly. There were no signs of any cracking, always had a dash mat etc and i had it at Toyota getting the injector seal replacement done under the CSE and came to pick it up and they had it parked in the sun on a 40c day with the windows up. Got in to find a 12 inch crack that run across the top of the instrument cluster, and in a matter of weeks it was on the passenger side and spidered all over the dash.

[kennyboi Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kennyboi]

Hi,

The fan I was querying about is this one in the attach picture.

Thanks in advance

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Air con. Fan

[kennyboi Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kennyboi]

Air con. Fan

Should that always come on when air con is turned on?
If not, how much roughly would the fix be?

[tez1 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tez1]

It'd probably be $100 odd for a second hand fan and would be easy to swap out if that's the problem. Could be something electrical which would require further investigation.
See if it turns on when the main and rear a/c is switched on. In that scenario I'd expect it to come on.

[snewby Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close snewby]

My 120 / Aug 2007 has had dashboard cracks for a while now. I was just living with them. (always kept in a garage)
With 200K turning over, I put it in to get all fluids changed..
The service guy saw the dash and said... if I was original owner, he would pass it on to Toyota... with photos..
Today he came back, a warranty claim has been approved to replace the dash, one is on order from Japan (about 6 weeks).

How's that?