Charging System Error

[toriaoxford]

I have a '59 plate Auris 1.3 - it has been fine up to a week ago when, on reversing/turning the steering quite hard (but slowly), I suddenly get an error message on the display that reads 'Charging System' and EVERYTHING completely locks up, the steering, accelerator etc... The problem seems to clear if I switch off the engine and re-start. I have taken it to Toyota and they ran a diagnostic test on it and all was OK - they could see there was an error but it had gone into the computer 'history' and there was nothing 'pending' but it's now happened again. Does anyone have the same problem and/or any solutions, bar going back to Toyota every time it happens, thanks.

By the way, I don't know anything about cars to responses in lay terms please!!!

[Bemused]

I have had the message charging system once whilst reversing out of the garage. Although I think it was because I stalled it. There have been previous posts concerning moving the car a few feet , switching off, and then difficulty in starting but this would not appear relevant in your case.

You say that that everything locked up, was the engine still running? If it was that points to a problem in the electrical system or the computer that controls virtually everything. Probably fellow forum members can shed more light on the technical aspects.You say it has happened again, was that under identical circumstances to the first incident? I would certainly take it back to Mr T for further investigation and give full details of the circumstances of each incident.It really needs a permanent fix in spite of there being no fault codes. As its still under warranty there should be no problem.

Hope you get it sorted.

[Mooly]

If it were me I would disconnect the Battery for an hour or two, then reconnect and start the engine and let it idle until warm to relearn any settings, then take it for a good run of at least 10 miles or so of mixed driving.

Normally things like the one touch on the windows need reproggramming after this (hold button to wind down fully, then hold button up and coninue holding for 20 secs or so after window reaches top)

Electronic equipment can sometimes get itself in knot (I am an electronics tech... nothing to do with the motor trade) and to me this is the first thing to try...

[Krait]

I agree with Mooly.

I had the same message a little while ago but the engine continued to run and so did the car. I stopped about 50 yards further when I got this horrible smell. It turned out that the water pump had seized up causing the alternator belt to stop turning. This caused the belt to burn up and break. Resulting in the horrible smell. The alarm was activated as the alternator was not charging.

However, yours definitely sounds like an electrical fault, or an intermittent mechanical fault. Disconnecting the Battery for a short period and reconnecting will reset the Engine control Unit (ECU) and possibly reset the fault.

Good luck,

Krait

[toriaoxford]

I took it to Toyota and they ran diagnostic tests on it and discovered that the 'Charging System' fault was to do with the Start/Stop technology. The car would completely lock up whilst the engine was still running (steering, everything) because, presumably, the car thought the Start/Stop technology had kicked into place. Also, the thermostat was reading -40 which obviously it was not (I'm in the UK but it's not that cold!). As a result, the garage replaced the Start/Stop thermostat and I'm told all should now be well. I will see how it goes and if I experience any more problems, I will post as appropriate. The technician did say that you shouldn't really use the S/S option all the time - it only really comes into it's own when you're driving a fair distance as you need to give the engine a chance to warm up so DON'T use this option on short journeys. You can of course turn it off by the switch to the right of the steering column! Good luck everyone and I hope you get your issue sorted.

[toriaoxford]

I have had the message charging system once whilst reversing out of the garage. Although I think it was because I stalled it. There have been previous posts concerning moving the car a few feet , switching off, and then difficulty in starting but this would not appear relevant in your case.

You say that that everything locked up, was the engine still running? If it was that points to a problem in the electrical system or the computer that controls virtually everything. Probably fellow forum members can shed more light on the technical aspects.You say it has happened again, was that under identical circumstances to the first incident? I would certainly take it back to Mr T for further investigation and give full details of the circumstances of each incident.It really needs a permanent fix in spite of there being no fault codes. As its still under warranty there should be no problem.

Hope you get it sorted.

Thanks for your reply. I have now had it sorted under warranty by Toyota - thankfully. Thanks to everyone for their input and please see my post from 25th August for an update.

[Mooly]

Thanks for the update...

[Bemused]

Yes, thanks for the update. Very informative.