OK, another car (1990 Toyota Corolla as well) question. My neighbor asked me to check her rear lights, as another neighbor noticed one was dimmed. I check and noticed a ground wire was loose. A screw, which I didn’t find, is supposed to hold the wire ring connector to the socket. I removed the bulb for now. So, if I were to go to an auto parts store (dealership?), what would I ask for? Could I use any similar size machine screw (anyone know where I could find what size without removing another one)? Would they sell individual screws? Buy a socket just for the screw (if it comes with one) ? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the multiple questions.
Sometimes you need to buy a “kit” to repair something that may need only a small part, like a screw. The kit may include several parts that are often lost, degrade or wear out. You might need a “rear light kit” from an auto parts store.
Or, if you have the highly-unusual old-tyme hardware store nearby, take the best sample of the screw to it and ask for a duplicate.
Yes, I know, that kind of hardware store is rare, but we have one! I actually bought a single screw there for 8 cents once.
Probably the best bet is to remove the other one. A hardware store should have something that works. Same goes with auto parts stores. However you might need to buy a box of 6 or 8 screws. Almost any correct sized screw would work although a cheap metal screw might corrode in a few years.
That’s why I have a big box in the garage where I through in all the spare parts left over from various jobs.
If you have a You-remove-it junkyard around, you could get a whole assembly there. Probably more work and expense than just replacing the screw.
Hint – a Toyota screw is probably a metric one.
As the car is over 20 years old and the screw is just holding a ground wire to sheet metal, I don’t think it much matters if you find an exact match. Grab a sheet metal screw that looks about the right size, it it tightens in and feels snug move on to the next problem. It’ll probably hold for longer than the life of the car.
Take the screw from the other side and head down to your local hardware store and purchase a replacement screw. Even Lowes and Home Dept have pretty well stocked hardware Isles. You will find in the hardware department a bolt and nut chart, usually hung on a wall near the hardware. With this chart you’ll be able to determine the thread pitch that you’ll need. The chart will have a board with threaded holes on it. Take your screw and try several holes until you find the one that your screw fits properly in. It will be labeled with the thread pitch and you’ll find that thread among the various screws they have, choose your length and your set to go, the costs will be under a quarter.
The dealership might or might not be able to get the screw for you. They can certainly order it, but ether they have it in stock is a crap shoot. Not to mention the same screw that will cost you a quarter at Lowes will probably cost $1.50 from the dealership.
You might as well buy the next size larger too as the hole may be corroded/damaged. Note the value of your time is going to totally overwhelm the cost of the part. And maybe a couple examples of each–it’s amazing how often some of us lose small individual items.
All cars use SAE screws for the most part. The only metric screw I know on a Corolla is the one you have to remove when you want to refill the blinker fluid.
Yeah, I know there is a difference, doubt the OP will be affected by much, certainly not be the head. OP’s car was likely made in California, though, I think since E80 generation? OP is E90