1997 Toyota Corolla Battery light flickers / loss of power

1997 TOYOTA COROLLA
150,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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MERLIN469
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
This morning, my battery light started flickering while driving down the road. Near the same time, I lost power steering.

The light did not stay solid - the car did not die, and would restart after being shut off.

Is there something common between the PS pump and the alternator (common belt, etc?) or is it something else?
Mar 2, 2009 at 4:08 AM
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MMPRINCE4000
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 8,548 POSTS
Check belts, make sure they are turning the alt. and powersteering. Generally Toyota uses seperate belts, but they did go to serpentine belt, but I can't remember the year they switched.

If alt. is turning, take to any autoparts store and get charging system tested for free, or with engine running, hook up multimeter to posts on battery, use DC volt mode, set at 20V. Meter should read 13.5-14.5V (no load) and 13.2-14V loaded.
Mar 3, 2009 at 12:20 AM
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MERLIN469
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I was able to locate the problem - the locking bolt on the tensioning block for the alternator had snapped off.

This removed tenstion from the belt common to the alternator (flicker), PS pump (loss of PS), and probably the water pump (I had little to no heat - fotunately it was 20 degrees outside and the engine did not overheat)

I replaced the bolt, and the belt, for good measure - total repair was under $20.

Thanks for the assitance though!
Mar 3, 2009 at 1:45 AM
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MMPRINCE4000
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 8,548 POSTS
Glad to hear it.
Mar 3, 2009 at 2:20 AM
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