I've been driving for over 40 years, and never felt the need to be reminded
when I'm in reverse gear. So how can I disable the infuriating beep in my
new Celica? The dealer tells me it can't be done. I don't believe them!

"Steph" <notme (AT) nospam (DOT) com> wrote

What model year Celica?
Does it have an automatic or a manual transmission/
What country are you in?
Where is the beep coming from?
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Steph" <notme (AT) nospam (DOT) com> wrote

The beep is not to remind you that you are backing up, but, rather, to warn
others, like pedestrians, that you are backing up. And the pedestrians may
be in a location where you can't see them, so it helpful, even with the best
of drivers.

Jeff

It's a 2006 vvt-i 1.8 litre standard UK model. The beep comes from
somewhere behind the dash ... and no, I'm not going to rip the dash out to
try and locate it!

I don't believe so - the beep is not audible outside the car - it's only
designed to irritate the hell out of occupants.

"Steph" <notme (AT) nospam (DOT) com> wrote

I stand corrected. In the US, most vehicles (mostly trucks) that beep do so
outside the vehicle.

However, it is not designed to irritate you, but to warn you.

"Steph" <notme (AT) nospam (DOT) com> wrote

I do not know if the beeper is something that is required in the U.K. or
not, so rather than telling you how to disable it, I'll provide some hints
on how to check its function.

The term "standard" is not used very much in the U.S. any more because the
standard transmission on many cars sole here is now an automatic, but I'll
assume that your car has a manually shifted transmission.

I asked about the transmission type because it is easier to trace wiring for
a manual transmission than an automatic transmission. You can take a look
up underneath the dash to see if the beeper is readily visible, but I was
not going to suggest disassembling the dashboard, because doing so often
results in squeaks and rattles.

There is a switch, either on the shifter, or on the transmission itself,
that controls the backup lights. The backup light switch may also control
the beeper, or there may be separate switch that can be disconnected or
bypassed. There should be a switch somewhere near the shifter mechanism on
the transmission. If you unplug the switch and the backup lights and beeper
both stop working, then the switch controls both functions. If unplugging
the switch only disables the lights or beeper but not both, then there are
separate switches for the backup lights and beeper. Another possibility is
that there are 2 switches near the shifter, 1 for the lights and 1 for the
beeper.

Another place to look for the backup and/or beeper switch is underneath the
dust boot for the shift lever.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Now, I can understand a warning beep for a senior citizen's car ... but I'm
still the right side of 60, just ... and also on pickups and vans. But a
sports coupe? What planet are Toyota on? No other 'family' vehicle in the
UK I'm aware of has this 'feature', and it's one I'd happily do without. If
only I could. Apart from that I like the car.

"Steph" <notme (AT) nospam (DOT) com> wrote

And in a few years, when you're 61, will you be on the wrong side of 60? ;-)

Being a sports coupe, there probably are a lot of teens who drive it. They
are also likely to put the gear into reverse and go backwards instead of
forwards.

Jeff

No, it's definitely not a legal requirement in the UK - in fact this is the
only model I know of that has it. Of course, the reversing light is
mandatory, so I can't disable that. I'll look underneath the gearshift
boot, but I was hoping it might be a case of pulling a unit from the fusebox
or wherever. Toyota dealer was a waste of time - also told me that the
creaking sunroof was a feature of this model!