Lexus IS 250. power issues, random errors after RAC checked

[Joolsd]

Dear All,

I have a real problem which you may be able to advise on.

I drove to work on a fairly cool morning and I managed to get to work fine. But then things started to go wrong. I tried to straighten up my bad parking and suddenly the power steering started to go very stiff. I thought I'd turn the engine off then on again to check if it was still a problem. It failed to start (slight grinding noise and no ignition.) When pressing the button with the smart key in hand. 

So I rang the RAC and they came to me at my work. I went to start the car and it started ok and I thought (well that's odd) . I explained to the RAC guy that the Battery terminals were a bit loose, but he did say the Battery had plenty of charge. It is a fairly new Battery. 

After the day at work I went to the car and it started fine, I drove away but turning around the corner the steering went stiff again. 

I had to drive carefully, but the steering did lose up a bit after 5 minuets. As I got to within a mile of home, things suddenly took a nose dive. The heater started coming on and off, the radio on and off. The car lights started to get dimmer and dimmer and the steering became horribly stiff. (I'm thinking this could be danger so I will get the train from now on)

The RAC guy was great and is coming tonight to have a look, but he seems to think that this is to do with the alternator.
Would that sound about right? If so is this a specialist job or could any garage fix this problem? How much would it be approximatly?

Thank you in advance 

Best regards

Julian

 

 

[Hondaman]

Definitely the alternator. This happened to me a few years. No advance warnings whatsoever. Any competent garage can do the job.

 

[Joolsd]

10 minutes ago, Hondaman said:

Definitely the alternator. This happened to me a few years. No advance warnings whatsoever. Any competent garage can do the job.

 

It looks quite hidden away, it must be an expensive job. How much did you have to pay? 😂

[madasahatter]

I agree alternator just go no warning. you are lucky, all i had was LED rear lights nothing else no dash lights nothing. 

[madasahatter]

1 minute ago, Joolsd said:

It looks quite hidden away, it must be an expensive job. 😂

Its easy apart from the bottom bolt , no room its a b. Take to a garage if you can, you will not regret it. I did my own its a pig and a half.

[Hondaman]

 I paid over £400, but that was quite a few years ago.

[Joolsd]

On 12/6/2021 at 7:43 PM, Hondaman said:

 I paid over £400, but that was quite a few years ago.

My repair bill is coming to £512. Originally it was £425, but the guy doing it had trouble finding the right alternator (the wrong type turned up or something)😪. He says that the belt that is in the way and which drives a few things has to be replaced. Because the belt obscures the area where the alt part is. It's close the Christmas and mechanical resources are difficult to find I guess with regards to the alternator.(maybe someone can make me feel better?) I love this car but I hope this is the last expense for a while. 😂