It was a very cold morning -20 Celsius, or so. We had started the car twice with an aftermarket remote car starter, to warm it up first. While driving the car out of the yard, the power steering became difficult and many dash lights came on, battery, parking break, etc. The car seemed to stall. My spouse continued driving the car about a kilometer from home where it died. We got a boost from a passerby, but when driving again the car died about 300 yards, with the battery seemingly dead. After towing the car to the dealer, they reported that the battery had a dead cell and the alternator was providing only 8.4v. Both battery and alternator were replaced for an astounding $721.00, or so. Add to that $75.00 for the tow and its around $800.00, a very expensive alternator repair.
Update from Mar 10, 2014: The car had been to the dealer a few days previously for its oil change and maintenance check, so what happened?
On 2/25/11 @0730, my car would not start. All electrical systems had failed. I had a neighbor take me to work. That evening, when I returned home, the car started.
Today, 2/26/11, I took it to Casey Toyota Scion @ 6390 Richmond Rd. Williamsburg, Va. Phone: 757-259-1000.
They found loose battery cables and charged me $57 to repair. I do not think that this was fair to charge me. They have done all routine maintenance on my car since I purchased it and I feel that it was negligence on their part that they did not detect this problem when servicing the car at prior visits. Within 6 months of purchasing the vehicle, the lights on the dash would dim periodically when I was driving. That was apparently due to a loose cable.
They did a multi point vehicle check today that I did not request.
I would appreciate Casey Toyota reimbursing me. I know nothing about car repairs, but my neighbor who does, said that they should have been able to readily see the loose cables.
I have owned a lot of vehicles in my life and have never had a loose battery cable. I feel that this problem most likely originated at the factory.
I would appreciate a reply back.
Thanks!
Lou Taylor
I have had intermittent problems with hazard lights coming on by themselves. I came home from work today, pulled into the garage and turned off the engine. The car alarm, hazard lights, all dash lights and several other things went off simultaneously. I had to reinsert the key to get it to stop. I am taking it back AGAIN so they can check the problem. I was just in complaining about a separate problem. Looks like I could set-up housekeeping at Toyota if this keeps up.
- Kim M.,
Chandler, AZ, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
It was a very cold morning -20 Celsius, or so. We had started the car twice with an aftermarket remote car starter, to warm it up first. While driving the car out of the yard, the power steering became difficult and many dash lights came on, battery, parking break, etc. The car seemed to stall. My spouse continued driving the car about a kilometer from home where it died. We got a boost from a passerby, but when driving again the car died about 300 yards, with the battery seemingly dead. After towing the car to the dealer, they reported that the battery had a dead cell and the alternator was providing only 8.4v. Both battery and alternator were replaced for an astounding $721.00, or so. Add to that $75.00 for the tow and its around $800.00, a very expensive alternator repair.
Update from Mar 10, 2014: The car had been to the dealer a few days previously for its oil change and maintenance check, so what happened?
- mcbridh, Kanata, ON, canada