Jlacck

I went out to start my 98 LS this morning. Upon turning the key in the ignition, the car turns over and starts, but I'm getting a battery light in my dash. Also, the steering wheel won't turn left or right.

All of the electronics work (nothing flickers or dims) and I can put the car in drive or reverse (the drive train obviously engages), but I just can't turn the steering wheel. I replaced my battery in February of 2015 so I can't imagine its going bad already. But does anyone have any ideas of what I can look at and check on to resolve this problem?

Yamae

Have you checked the P/S pump? Leaking P/S oil often kills the alternator.

Jlacck

No I haven't checked that yet. Although I was told recently that the car has a leak, but they didn't say what specifically was leaking. They just stated that I had a small oil leak.

That said I did notice that I have to fill my oil a little more often. (maybe half a quart a month if that).

dicer

So is the steering wheel unlocking? When you say it won't turn that's what comes to mind. If its unlocking then like Yamae says you could have lost a seal in the Power steering pump and dumped on the alternator. Also check the serpentine belt if it breaks then you loose power steering and the alternator. It maybe just the belt broke.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Battery light means an alternator problem. Like dicer said pop the hood and make sure your accessory belt has not broke or slipped off.

djamps

+1

check the belt
check the PS fluid level
check that the PS pump isn't leaking onto the alternator

Jlacck

@Dicer: Basically the wheel won't move. If I only needed to go straight forward or backwards, the car would work just fine lol. But if i need to turn in any way, the the steering wheel is locked.

@Sha4000: I'll pop the hood and let you know if I see anything. Hopefully its just the belt but it sounds like its something between the alternator and the Steering Pump that needs to be replaced.... perhaps both??

dicer

So then the steering lock won't release for some reason. Its a manual operated deal on the older Gen's. It could be an electrical operated one on your car I don't know.

Jlacck

So it turns out it was the belt. I guess one of the engine pulleys had gone bad ( stopped turning freely) and it caused the belt to end up snapping. Anyhoo, my mechanic replaced the belt and the pulley in 10 minutes. Kinda makes you feel like duuuuuhhhh lol

dicer

Okay then the steering wheel was not LOCKED then. You just didn't eat your Wheaties and couldn't turn it with out the power assist.