Steering wheel locking up?

HANSTIN

MEMBER
2013 TOYOTA RAV4
234,000 MILES

The battery light indicator came on and shortly after driving my steering wheel indicator came on and started to lock up. Then shortly after the ABS and brake light came on. The check engine and maintenance light been on for a while and the tire light is on because the signal needs to be fixed. Is the steering wheel locking up because the battery is draining or is it another issue that is causing the steering wheel to lock up besides the battery?

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,752 POSTS

It sounds like you have electric power steering, and the charging system has failed. The clue to the charging system failure is all the other warning lights turning on one by one as the various computers shut down. While the electrical system can run on the battery for perhaps 20 to 30 minutes, the battery will be too run down to restart the engine.

This article shows the first part of the charging system tests:

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

You can start this with an inexpensive digital voltmeter. Measure the battery's voltage while the engine is running. It must be between 13.75 and 14.75 volts. You don't need the "auto-ranging" feature shown in the article. Walmart or any hardware store will have a perfectly fine meter. Harbor Freight Tools has a nice little red one for $7.00. If you need help setting it up, let me know. I can help with that.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

Be aware the steering system will never lock up. That would lead to horrendous lawsuits and government intervention. A lot of drivers mistakenly think they lose all steering and braking ability and just let the car crash. You likely won't miss the power steering assist at highway speeds, but the slower the car goes, the more the power assist will be missed and the harder you'll have to tug on the steering wheel.