v70 2001 battery light, then abs, gauges, transmission slugg

sylvano · Post by **sylvano** » 29 Mar 2015, 16:54

On a two hour drive this morning, the cruise control dis-engaged and I noticed
noticed that the battery light was on.
I felt a jerk in the drivetrain so I stopped on the side of the highway. I thought I had lost the belt.

It all looked fine so I checked the oil and other fluids. It was all at normal levels.

I was close to an exit so I decided to get off the highway. There were big box stores close by so I made it to a parking lot.

Other symptoms:
Transmission slipping and sluggish. I flushed it in October and it never slipped before.
ABS light on.
Pretty well all warning lights now on.
Speedometer stopped working.
Fuel gauge stopped working

I checked the battery which is 4 months old and took the terminals off for a new minutes. There was no corrosion on the terminals.

I plugged everything back and check the fuses and relays by pulling them off. I didn't have a ohm meter.
I started the car and the battery light is on.

Any idea what would cause all these symptoms?

I left the car there and got back home 2 hours away.

Post by **vtl** » 30 Mar 2015, 05:33

When last time you had voltage regulator changed? If it is failing, alternator could not charge battery and deliver enough power to car's electrical system.

Post by **precopster** » 30 Mar 2015, 05:54

Jump start the car from another. While the leads are still connected and the other car's engine is running I bet all the warning lights will be off.

Let it idle for a minute then remove the leads. Let it sit and idle with all electrical items ON such as headlights, A/C, demister, and radio. I bet after 2-3 minutes all the warning lights return with a vengeance.

If so the alternator's regulator has definitely failed. They cost around $45 and can be changed while stll on the car (if you know exactly what to do)

sylvano · Post by **sylvano** » 30 Mar 2015, 08:10

I had the car for 18 months now and from the previous owner's garage records, the alternator or the regulator were not replaced.
I booked a car dolly to recover the vehicle tomorrow but I'll check the battery light while jumping it.

Would the transmission be affected by this? I felt like the "W" button was on x3.

Are voltage regulator a common failure?

Post by **vtl** » 30 Mar 2015, 08:36

The car has like 50 small computers, they all rely on electric power supply. Car goes crazy if these computers begin to misbehave.

Voltage regulator has brushes on it, this is what wears out with time and causes most of problems with alternator.

Post by **precopster** » 30 Mar 2015, 22:48

Regulators are made by Bosch so enough said. Not saying that Bosch are awful; just not as good as Denso as fitted on most Toyotas except on the alternator on certain years. Bosch components seem to have a 10-12 year self destruct timer.

Last Summer my nephews 2002 Camry had its first breakdown at 80k miles; battery went flat and needed jump start. Regulator had failed. Guess what brand it was?