dash board warning lamp bingo...

[Jamesb]

Hi, first post in the forum...

When I started up my previa '05 today the oil level light level check light was on so I headed straight for the filling station for oil. shortly afterwards the battery symbol came on. I thought 'we've used the air con a lot, maybe we're draining it faster than its charging.
Filled up with oil but the oil level check light stayed on. So did the battery light. And the silencer sounds like its gone..
Later in the evening, when driving home, an abs light came on (but not the brake system light) then the airbag light came on, then the brake system warning light (but this came and went a few times) then we noticed the fuel level had dropped to zero -was previously 3/4 full-. At the same time, the speedo stopped, as did the revs and oil temp. These came and went as well and then the head lights stopped working altogether.
We limped home in the dark with the hazard lights on and once we were on the drive way the car idled very weakly.
Has my engine fuse box died? I had a similar issue a few years ago with an Alhambra and this was the case then.

Ben.

[timsrv]

Hi Ben,

Toyota stopped importing Previas to the USA back in 97. Since most of us here are in North America we probably won't be of much help. With any luck a modern Previa owner from your neck of the woods will pipe-up, but I wouldn't hold my breath. I agree that your problem is electrical. Sounds like maybe a bad alternator or perhaps a bad ground somewhere. I would also be locating and checking your fusible links. Make sure your battery terminals are clean and tight too. Without 1st hand product knowledge of the newer Previas I'm afraid this is all the help I can give. Good luck. Tim

[Jamesb]

Hi Tim, I had a look inside this morning, saw oil spattering and realises I didn't replace the oil filler cap :(

that explaims the oil light remaining on. Any chance it could cause any of the other fault lights??

[timsrv]

I don't know anything about these. I wish we could still get Previas here, as I would own one (and would be able to help). Hope you get it all figured out. Tim

[TheMAN]

I recommend heading over to the UK TEOC forum, which does have a 2nd gen previa section

but it's possible there is a bad battery, bad alternator, or even bad body computer module... most newer cars have computer modules everywhere, and they control the things like the climate control system, instruments, lights, etc

is yours the 2.4 or 3.0 V6?

[Jamesb]

Update:

I had a look in the engine bay this morning and found the oil filler cap hiding -thankfully- in a crevice. I checked the oil and it's full. I refitted the cap and, after cleaning some of the oil spatter marks, started the van.

:( The oil level warning light stays on.
:( The battery light stays on.
:( The ABS and airbag lights also come on.
The sound that's similar to a blown silencer had stopped.
4 instrument dials all work reliably again

Switched off the van and tried to start it again, nothing but a continuous clicking like a kid's toy machine gun. I suspect a totally flat battery.

I charged the battery for an hour and a half.

Car starts fine again and only the oil level light and battery lights stay on.

My next step is to get a 9v battery for my multi meter (or borrow my neighbour's) and check the output from the alternator.
Any other suggestions for what else I should check as well. Engine fuses and relays don't appear to show any signs of high current, blackening, blowing or melting.

Ben.

[Jamesb]

I registered with TEOC and have posted everything there. Also registered with a toyota owners' club in oz but they don't appear as active so I'm not holding my breath on that one.

Thanks again Tim,
Ben.