Sun Visor Problem

crghill · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2005, 07:39 AM

My mom has an 02 Highlander limited and the drivers side sun visor keeps falling out of place. Said another way, it won't stay up next to the ceiling of the cab. It falls into your view as the driver and won't stay up. It has the homelink and that works fine, but the visor falling down is dangerous and distracting. Has anyone else had this problem? We checked with the stealer and they said $400 to fix and no it is not covered under the extended warranty she bought. I bought a second hand one off of ebay and installed it. Same problem. Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

peid · #2 (**permalink**) 10-20-2005, 08:01 AM

Do you have any thing else laying on top of it? Another garage door opener, CD wallet/organizer, mail etc? Take any extra weight off and see if that fixes it.

crghill · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2005, 09:04 AM

Nope, nothing on it except some tape trying to hold it to the ceiling.

jim256 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2005, 01:18 PM

Can you slide something in the pocket of the visor along the shaft to provide some friction? A plastic cable tie comes to mind--strong enough to be forced into the pocket, no possibility of creating a rubbing sound, no adhesives, and you can use a long tie, then test it with enough of an end sticking out to remove it if it does not help, and if it does help then cut it to length and push it slightly in. Just a thought.

crghill · #5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2005, 01:32 PM

We tried several things to give the necessary friction, but the solutions always eventually failed. I did not try the tie like you suggest. Has anyone else had this issue?

Thanks!

drmonkey1313 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-20-2005, 08:37 PM

I have not had this problem and I am not sure what your situation is exactly, but have you thought of putting some velcro on the visor and then maybe some on the roof? That might take care of the problem?

It sounds like what you are saying is that the visor flips down into position (like it would be if you had sun in your eyes and flipped it down)? Is that what it's doing? If so, that is so strange. Have you tried tightening the screws that hold it to the roof. I know it sounds lame, but there just does not seem to be anything else I could think of.

Anyway, I would try the velcro thing if nothing else works. Good luck.

BoatCaptain · #7 (**permalink**) 12-08-2005, 07:17 PM

Exact Same Problem, Even with velcro, it falls after awhile. Usually velcro won't stay glued to to the ceiling. This is totally annoying.

visual_image · #8 (**permalink**) 12-21-2005, 02:52 AM

i have the same problem with my 02 with the homelink feature. it would flip down to cover my view and cause a distraction. this is very dangerous and should be recalled.

it seems like the there is a spring that is suppose to help keep the visor up has gave up or slip out of position due the the weight of the visor.

i use double sided tape to help hold the velcro in place. my visor is useless in regards to its main function of blocking the sun.

Olive · #9 (**permalink**) 02-13-2006, 02:13 PM

I've got the exact same problem. I've tied a string around it and clamped it into the sunglasses holder. This is hardly a solution - but if you're saying that Toyota is not recognizing this as a problem, then we have to write to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They catalog clear safety problems like this - and then, when there seems to be a certain volume, can mandate a recall. Why the manufacturers ignore a clear safety problem is beyond me -- especially for Toyota, when most of us are usually proud owners.

kenneda · #10 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006, 08:26 PM

I am having the same problem. Thought I would take the visor off and see if an area salvage yard can match it from another make vehicle. My visor is tan; shouldn't be too difficult to match.

drmonkey1313 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-11-2006, 11:13 PM

I have an 05 Highlander with non lighted mirrors and no homelink. This may be a long shot, but....

If anyone with grey Sunvisors with lighted mirrors and homelink would like to trade my for my grey non lighted non homelink sunvisors, email me. I have been looking for these in grey forever and no one seems to have them.

My sunvisors are in mint, brand new condition. I would be willing to pay you for yours and send you mine if you would like.

Thanks.

Tly · #12 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crghill

My mom has an 02 Highlander limited and the drivers side sun visor keeps falling out of place. Said another way, it won't stay up next to the ceiling of the cab. It falls into your view as the driver and won't stay up. It has the homelink and that works fine, but the visor falling down is dangerous and distracting. Has anyone else had this problem? We checked with the stealer and they said $400 to fix and no it is not covered under the extended warranty she bought. I bought a second hand one off of ebay and installed it. Same problem. Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

I have this same damn issue.

2002 Highlander Limited.

My brother tells me there is a nut in there that likely got loose. He suggested the following options:

Take a stab at your extended warranty - got nothing to lose
Try removing the visor from the cab and twisting it around clockwise (or did he say counter-clockwise...heck I forgot) in hopes of re-seating the nut. He said you should be SUPER careful if you have Homelink as twisting it too much could rip your homelink wire.
Lastly he suggested carefully slicing along the vinyl seam and tightening the nut once you have it open. Then use super glue. He mentions he's done this a few time for customers but can NOT guarantee success with this method.

milesprower · #13 (**permalink**) 03-31-2006, 09:12 PM

We have a 2002 highlander. No Homelink. Visor would slip down quite easily and obscure vision. My wife nearly had me buy a new visor (~$65) from dealer before I finally took the damn thing apart and solved the issue.

Unscrew the visor from the car ceiling. Take it out and using a blunt lever (large screwdriver) ease the bracket out of the visor. It is force fit into the visor, but with steady force it will come out. I almost gave up here, but the thing started to budge and I kept going.

Once your have the bracket all the way out, use a needle nore pliers to reach in and tighten (bend) the metal clamp that holds the backet in place. Be careful, too much and the visor will be too stiff. Too little and it will not hold.

Carefully force the pole of the bracket back in. You may need a hand to get it started. Then screw the visor bracket back into the ceiling and test.

It worked for me. If you're mechanically inclined it should work for you.

Tly · #14 (**permalink**) 04-01-2006, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milesprower

Unscrew the visor from the car ceiling. Take it out and using a blunt lever (large screwdriver) ease the bracket out of the visor. It is force fit into the visor, but with steady force it will come out. I almost gave up here, but the thing started to budge and I kept going.

Sorry but what part is the bracket?

Thanks for this post! I might just try it even though my extended warranty says they should cover it ($50 deductible).

milesprower · #15 (**permalink**) 04-02-2006, 01:05 PM

The part I referred to as the bracket is the metal shaft (that sticks into the visor) and the flange with (three screws, I think) that secures the visor to the ceiling. You have to ease the shaft out of the visor. It feels like it won't go, but if you are patient and use enough steady force, it will eventually start to come out.