Detecting tampered digital odometer

[dskm]

Hi,

I bought a 2005 Camry from a second hand car dealer in Toronto in last October. It had been used in Quebec before.
Recently the engine was momentorily revved up to 6000 rpm by mistake and now the tachometer indicator do not go below 4000 rpm mark even when not running.

A mechanic friend of mine told me that it happenes when the odometer is being adjusted.

Naturally I am angry about this. Couple of months before I found that the front bumper's grill is repaired and repainted, but accepted that I was fooled and repaired it. But this is too much to bear.

I would like to know some things before I confront the dealer.

1. Is it possible to know whether a digital odometer is tampered by external inspection.

2. Would a Toyota dealer be able to help me to identify whether the odometer is tampered.

3. Is there any government or private website where I can get all the past history of the car including odometer readings.

4. If I suspect that I am beaing cheated, what are my options.

Thank you for any advise.

dskm

[cwb27]

Hi,

I bought a 2005 Camry from a second hand car dealer in Toronto in last October. It had been used in Quebec before.
Recently the engine was momentorily revved up to 6000 rpm by mistake and now the odometer indicator do not go below 4000 rpm mark even when not running.

A mechanic friend of mine told me that it happenes when the odometer is being adjusted.

Naturally I am angry about this. Couple of months before I found that the front bumper's grill is repaired and repainted, but accepted that I was fooled and repaired it. But this is too much to bear.

I would like to know some things before I confront the dealer.

1. Is it possible to know whether a digital odometer is tampered by external inspection.

2. Would a Toyota dealer be able to help me to identify whether the odometer is tampered.

3. Is there any government or private website where I can get all the past history of the car including odometer readings.

4. If I suspect that I am beaing cheated, what are my options.

Thank you for any advise.

dskm

Your post makes no sense because you're using the wrong words to explain things...

The tachometer is the needle that shows your RPMs.

The Odometer is the device that records total KMs.


So if I substitute the proper words your post would read (and I paraphrase):

"The car was accidentally revved to 6000 RPMs, now the tachometer won't go below 4000 RPM. My mechanic friend tells me this is happening because the Odometer has been reset"



I'm not really sure how revving a car to 6000 RPM, then the tachometer getting stuck at 4000 RPM equates to a tampered odometer...? Anyone else have input?

[VorteC]

^
+1

What the hell are you talking about man? Tach is your RPM and the Odo is the total mileage on the car... your tach needle being stuck does not translate to the tampering of your odo!

[mrlooneytoon]

Your post makes no sense because you're using the wrong words to explain things...

I'm not really sure how revving a car to 6000 RPM, then the tachometer getting stuck at 4000 RPM equates to a tampered odometer...? Anyone else have input?

His mechanic said that when the tach is stuck like that it usually means the instrument cluster has been messed with, hence OP is worried that the mileage has been adjusted. I don't know if there is any truth in what his mechanic says.

[cwb27]

His mechanic said that when the tach is stuck like that it usually means the instrument cluster has been messed with, hence OP is worried that the mileage has been adjusted. I don't know if there is any truth in what his mechanic says.

I have a strange suspension that the mechanic friend said something along the line of "Maybe it's doing that because someone tampered with it?"

Which the OP translated into "I'm pissed, my odometer has been rolled back"

I'm relatively doubtful the tach issue has anything to do with odometer tampering.

[Spud72]

1. Is it possible to know whether a digital odometer is tampered by external inspection.

Doubt it

2. Would a Toyota dealer be able to help me to identify whether the odometer is tampered.
Maybe. Ask them.

3. Is there any government or private website where I can get all the past history of the car including odometer readings.
Buy a car report like Carfax. If the KMs were logged, it should be on there.

4. If I suspect that I am beaing cheated, what are my options.
If you have proof, go to the guys who sold it to you and confront them with it. If they don't offer you a satisfactory settlement, consult with a lawyer.

[messerchmidt]

get toyota to scan the car, and check the paper work behind the car.

if the scan comes up clean and the paper work adds up, your out of luck.

Basic rule, is if your going to turn it back, it ought not be to a level behind the last documented mileage. AND yes digital odos can be turned back, but the person have to know what they are doing...costs about 250$+ actually...:D

Now, umm, not sure what your mechanic is talking about. Usually you can tell turn backs by looking at the engine pullies and see how they spin, etc - but on a honda or toyota, they can be turned back about 100k and its hard to tell... Has NOTHING to do with engine revs as that car has chain driven cams, not belts....

[loritom]

get toyota to scan the car, and check the paper work behind the car.

if the scan comes up clean and the paper work adds up, your out of luck.

Basic rule, is if your going to turn it back, it ought not be to a level behind the last documented mileage. AND yes digital odos can be turned back, but the person have to know what they are doing...costs about 250$+ actually...:D

Now, umm, not sure what your mechanic is talking about. Usually you can tell turn backs by looking at the engine pullies and see how they spin, etc - but on a honda or toyota, they can be turned back about 100k and its hard to tell... Has NOTHING to do with engine revs as that car has chain driven cams, not belts....


$250??
not in quebec it doesn't...

move your decimal over one column...to the LEFT...