Help

[garc91]

Hi all,  I’m driving a 2011 2.0 D4D Avensis and started it earlier and the Battery light stayed on and then it lost the power steering and that light came on..turned the car off and it was slow to start and turned it off the second time and now it will not start..any ideas as to what could be wrong? 

[Archie0979]

Get your altenator checked. If it is faulty it will play havoc with all your cars electronics.

[garc91]

Car is completely dead now so fingers crossed it will be the alternator. Cheers mate

[Archie0979]

Check the serpentine belt as this will also operate your power steering and would make sense since your steering has gone. Could also be the belt tensioner.

[garc91]

I heard a screeching sound that sounded like a loose belt to me this morning when I started it..hopefully noting major

[Ant-Rav]

As above the alternator sound's likely, not charging the Battery, and possible loose belt.

[Heidfirst]

battery/alternator.

Avensis T27 has electronic power steering - no serpentine belt required for that afaik.

[Archie0979]

Even although the power steering is electric on your model your symptoms would definitely point at the alternator and or serpentine belt (especially if it is screeching). I have a T25 and had my belt replaced 4 weeks ago as it was squeaking slightly when starting the car from cold until warmed up. When the old belt was off it had started to crack and go hard and shinny. A bad alternator can cause all sorts of issues with your electronics which could explain your electronic power steering to shut down. I recently had a BMW 3 series (money pit and a pile of crap that was always in the garage) that had a bad alternator and the whole car just went crazy and ran in limp mode. Replaced the alternator and all was fine for a short period until the next thing went wrong.