Please Help!

[tcfreenet]

I'm stumped, maybe you know what's going on because I sure don't!

I have a 95 Avalon with 188,000 miles that is a great car. Unfortunately it's behaving poorly and I don't know why. Here's the scoop; When driving with the AC on everything's fine for a while. Engine temp is normal, no warning lights, then the ABS light goes on, the radio stops working, the dash lights dim and all electrical components fade (i.e. windows slow down, turn signals slow, etc) and everything seems to be going wrong. Then I shut off the AC and after driving about a mile everything starts coming back and all is well again. A couple times it felt as though the brakes are staying on to some degree but not very hard.

Anyone able to provide help? Thanks in advance if you can!

[Joe W]

The symptoms could point to the alternator. You can have the charging system checked at almost any parts store.

[tcfreenet]

Originally Posted by Joe W

The symptoms could point to the alternator. You can have the charging system checked at almost any parts store.

You're right, the alternator connector was loose. I pushed it back in and everything's fine. I didn't expect the low voltage to have all the effects it did and the loose connection explained why it was just an intermittent problem. I also learned that my alternator "idiot light" has burned out. Nice to know it was such a simple problem!

Thanks for your help.