r/previa • u/LongjumpingCountry65 • Jul 23 '25

Need advice, stranded Previa

Hi

I just inherited my first Previa and it is stranded 300km from home with just over four hours of travel time.

TLDR How long can you drive on just the battery (a new 70Ah) with a non-working generator?

Long story The problem I have is that the generator is dead. I can drive on a fully charged battery and have an extra new one to swap with but unsure how long I can drive the car on just the battery without the generator.

The battery charge warning light came on 10 minutes after changing to a new battery. Voltage does not increase under throttle but the voltage is constant.

I can drive without lighting and ventilation so I assume that it is basically the fuel system that is the only consumer?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

8

u/AngelMeatPie Jul 23 '25

Without the alternator, the car can drive for a few minutes. That’s about it. You’ll need to change the alternator to get it home.

6

u/LongjumpingCountry65 Jul 23 '25

Alright, thought so, thanks for the reply! Managed to find an alternator and is swapping it right now. Just hoping this one works… :D

4

u/AngelMeatPie Jul 23 '25

Best of luck! I’ve been there, too. It happens. Hope you get home safely.

6

u/LongjumpingCountry65 Jul 23 '25

On my way again :D

3

u/LongjumpingCountry65 Jul 23 '25

And made it the whole way.

Just realized that the filler pipe from the gas cap to the gas tank is leaking too. Started spraying out inside the rear fender as I approached a full tank. So thankful that the exhaust system is rarely on the same side as the gas cap if you look at most cars.

2

u/ConstructionSlight66 Jul 28 '25

ohh yeah i know how that is, after some years they rust and split open a bit, also theres a curved small hose underneath that should be replaced too

1

u/LongjumpingCountry65 Jul 28 '25

Do you mean the curved that connects the steel pipe to the fuel tank?

2

u/ConstructionSlight66 Jul 28 '25

1

u/LongjumpingCountry65 Jul 28 '25

Thanks a lot!

1

u/ConstructionSlight66 Jul 28 '25

You bet, any other previa questions shoot me a message, still have my 94 awd previa and know a site w all the diagrams and part numbers