Toyota Supra MK3 Buttons and TEMS?

[SupraHead]

Hey guys, i got a few questions hopefully you guys can comment back, since the other forums ive tried no one has gotten back to me on. So on the dashboard there is that green bar that says TEMS. Ive noticed that some people have it at 1 bar and others have it at 2+ I have 1 TEM bar currently. What does it mean? and how does it work?

Another question is the switch below the clutch. It says Normal and Sport. Whats the main difference? Is there any significant differences? more gas used up? Because currently i have it on normal.

oh and the light doesnt work, its like turned off or something, it works if i turn on the HIGH BEAM though. Do i need to move the switch counterclockwise or clockwise or something like that?

And is there any "secrets" in the car that i should know about?

-Please and thanks guys (please educate me more, i dont know much about supras!)

 

[BrandonW]

tems stands for Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension

normal = softer suspension and sport = more stiff if you notice at braking it will go to 3 bars and at i believe 70+ it will auto 2 bars has nothing to do with fuel consumption

what light doesn't work unless the high beams are on? the three tems light?

any "secrets" may be a lurking bhg or whatever the previous owner has left for your surprise

 

[Another MkIII]

TEMS is Toyota Electronically Modulated Suspension. It basically adjusts the dampening rate based on a variety of factors. Under normal cruise, it is at 1 (1 green light lit up). Under cornering, hard braking, or quick acceleration, it will switch to 2 or 3 (2 or ythree lights lit up). The more lights, the stiffer the shocks become. The switch you are talki9ng about is the TEMS switch, on normal, it allows it to go to all three settings for the shocks, on sport it only allows it to go to the stiffest two. If it is located below your clutch, somebody did something wrong I'm assuming you mean behind the shifter.

What light are you referrring to?

And things to know: Blown head gaskets are notoriously common on these cars, and rod knock often follows after the head gasket is replaced. They also tend to be very high maintenance (Usually).

Lastly, you will want to work on your grammar and how you ask questions, and use the search button first. There are people around here that wouldn't be as friendly as I am right now, my usual self included. Welcome to the money pit.
-AM3

 

[jetjock]

TEMS has four modes:

1) Anti-dive

2) Anti-squat

3) Anti-roll

4 High speed response

How and when each operates can be gleaned from the troubleshooting portion of the service manual:

http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/manual.aspx?S=FA&P=32

As for secrets the car has lots. Much to my amusement a few are unknown here.

 

[Nick M]

Yep, bars do change with fuel consumption as JJ pointed out. Throttle angle. It isn't the fastest acting active system, but I like it.

 

[te72]

Another question is the switch below the clutch. It says Normal and Sport. Whats the main difference? Is there any significant differences? more gas used up? Because currently i have it on normal.

I'm curious, could you take a picture of this switch? I have an idea what you're talking about, but clarification would answer my question for sure.

TEMS has four modes:
How and when each operates can be gleaned from the troubleshooting portion of the service manual:

http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/manual.aspx?S=FA&P=32

As for secrets the car has lots. Much to my amusement a few are unknown here.

I did not know it was quite that complex, but I only had a TEMS setup on my 88 for about 8 months. Wondering about that "much to my amusement..." part, what about these cars do you NOT know?

Yep, bars do change with fuel consumption as JJ pointed out. Throttle angle. It isn't the fastest acting active system, but I like it.

For being 26 year old technology, it was surprisingly potent. I can only imagine how this stacked up with the competition back in 1986.

 

[Nick M]

Porsche and GM didn't feel the need to have a soft setting damper on their performance cars.

 

[te72]

I don't recall GM having active suspension on anything but the Vette, and that wasn't until sometime around 98, correct? As for Porsche, you got me on that one, no idea they've done such a thing, I've never followed them much (they're too slow haha).

 

[Turbo Habanero]

1986 959 porsche had amazing suspension far superior to ours but at a higher price

Sorry couldn't find whole video but for you that care it is season 16 episode 7 and it's on netflix right now

[video=youtube;cc5_qLk4MaM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc5_qLk4MaM[/video]

 

[Nick M]

I don't recall GM having active suspension on anything but the Vette, and that wasn't until sometime around 98, correct? As for Porsche, you got me on that one, no idea they've done such a thing, I've never followed them much (they're too slow haha).

They didn't use it, which is why I said they didn't use it.

 

[Turbo Habanero]

Here it is the Porsche scene is the first part so like a minute or 2 in. talks about the suspension

http://www.streetfire.net/video/top-gear-season-16-episode-7-best-of-2010_part-1_2208880.htm

 

[te72]

1986 959 porsche had amazing suspension far superior to ours but at a higher price

Was a good episode, especially when they ran the track haha... forgot about the 959 having that setup.

They didn't use it, which is why I said they didn't use it.

Reading comprehension kicks my ass sometimes at lunch... :3d_frown:

 

[soleenB]

Toyota does make sports cars, surprisingly. Or rather they used to, a number of them, such as the Supra, were actually very good. Toyota is said to be working on a new sports car that will slot between the Scion FR-S and Lexus LFA. Rumor says Toyota is resurrecting the Supra. For a long time, Toyota built only small, efficient vehicles. Speculations has been cooked up and Toyota head Akio Toyoda is a known sports car fan and was instrumental in getting the Lexus LFA and Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ approved and produced.

 

[Maple191]

For being 26 year old technology, it was surprisingly potent. I can only imagine how this stacked up with the competition back in 1986.

I work for a toyota dealer so I get a heads up every now and then about "new" features Toyota Lexus or Scions have or are getting. And guess what Lexus decided to put in Ondemand active suspension on the new 2013 Lexus GS350 RWD's. So basicly TEMS without the switch. I read it and its exactly the same functioning suspension system.