Toyota Yaris - Stiff steering: unable to restart car

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Fri 16 Jun 2017 11:35
Toyota Yaris - Stiff steering: unable to restart car - mikem004

Yaris 2006 1.0 manual, electric PAS

A couple of times recently, the PAS has "switched off" when I do a slow left turn on anything like full lock. I have to continue the journey with stiff steering. No warning lights are shown, and the car drives OK when restarted later -- until the next slow left turn.

Happened again this morning. But when I went to restart the car an hour later, it would not start. No warning lights shown. But when turning to crank, the engine cranked over but would not start and various lights on dash were flashing.

Any ideas before I call Green Flag?

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Fri 16 Jun 2017 11:53
Toyota Yaris - Stiff steering: unable to restart car - daveyjp
First port of call for any electrical issues is the battery. If it has never been changed it may be time for a new one.
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Fri 16 Jun 2017 12:14
Toyota Yaris - Stiff steering: unable to restart car - mikem004

Thanks Davey.

Now getting an ABS warning on the dash.Cranking is weak, seems like the battery is flat.

Started up fine this morning, though.

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Fri 16 Jun 2017 13:23
Toyota Yaris - Stiff steering: unable to restart car - elekie&a/c doctor
Battery voltage is critical on modern cars . So you might find the car starts okay ,but if the voltage drops below 10 V Under cranking,then .a lot of the electronics can get confused.
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Fri 16 Jun 2017 13:27
Toyota Yaris - Stiff steering: unable to restart car - Peter D

Suspect old duff battery. Most motor accessory shops have a test meter and can tell you the state of the battery but it is 11/12 years old. Regards Peter

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Fri 16 Jun 2017 13:44
Toyota Yaris - Stiff steering: unable to restart car - mikem004

Green Flag recharged the battery and everything was OK.

GF said that the alternator was suspect -- not charging the battery up enough. Battery seems to be original 2006 one! GF said the battery may still be OK.
Drove straight home with PAS switching itself off as before.

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Fri 16 Jun 2017 21:06
Toyota Yaris - Stiff steering: unable to restart car - daveyjp
An alternator will never get life into a battery which is failing!
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Fri 16 Jun 2017 22:40
Toyota Yaris - Stiff steering: unable to restart car - madf

My Yaris had a battery which lived until it was 11 years old.. but last legs..

Change it asap..

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Fri 16 Jun 2017 23:23
Toyota Yaris - Stiff steering: unable to restart car - Big John

Most modern alternators / charging circuits are complex these days - if battery cream crackered it will "back off"

Change the battery first - it's probably overdue at that age anyway

Saying that my previous Skoda Superb I 2003 is still running on it's original battery with it's new owner

Edited by Big John on 16/06/2017 at 23:31

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Sat 17 Jun 2017 10:16
Toyota Yaris - Stiff steering: unable to restart car - mikem004

Original battery charged to 13.1V overnight.

Maybe it is the alternator?

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Sat 17 Jun 2017 10:20
Toyota Yaris - Stiff steering: unable to restart car - RichardW

What does it measure with the engine running?

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Sat 17 Jun 2017 11:02
Toyota Yaris - Stiff steering: unable to restart car - mikem004

What does it measure with the engine running?

About the same, 13.1V.

Indicator on battery itself is Green = Good.

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Sat 17 Jun 2017 11:43
Toyota Yaris - Stiff steering: unable to restart car - elekie&a/c doctor
Please get the system tested professionally.not by a breakdown service or a quick fix outfit. Green indicator on the battery means nothing .
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Sat 17 Jun 2017 13:16
Toyota Yaris - Stiff steering: unable to restart car - mikem004
Please get the system tested professionally.not by a breakdown service or a quick fix outfit. Green indicator on the battery means nothing .

Yes, I've booked into a local garage for diagnosis.

But I would expect that Green Flag personnel see these problems several times a week. Maybe they are worth listening to.

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