Random hard steering?

ROSNY12

MEMBER
2012 TOYOTA SIENNA
3.5L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
214,482 MILES

Sometimes the steering wheel light will come on, on my van dashboard while I’m driving and the steering wheel become hard and the abs light and the brake lights and the traction control light will also turn on and it also said on the screen have your vehicle check by the dealership and when I pull over and stop the car the battery would always dead and I have to use a jump cable to get it start and when it start all light goes away and everything returned to normal... Sometimes this issue Doesn’t happen for a week or two but it keep on randomly pop up... Any advice please. I have a scan tool when I plug it in it give me a code u0129 no communication with brake system.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Hi,

The idea that the battery needs jumped when this happens to me sounds like the alternator isn't charging. If the voltage gets too low, it adversely affects the electronics. In this case, it sounds like it affects the components you mentioned.

Since it doesn't happen all the time, that leads me to think the battery is okay, but the alternator isn't keeping up, do me a favor. Try this test and let me know the results. You will need a voltmeter or a multimeter.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe