Steering issue

[-VSG-]

I was driving on the highway today and I noticed the Battery charge light came on. The voltage dropped to about 10 (it's normally at 12). And the E-Brake light lit up. It lights up more fully when I pull the e-brake though.

So I thought that was strange, but then when I got off the highway it felt like I had no power steering. I didn't try too forcefully but I'm not sure if I would have been able to turn the wheel more than halfway in either direction.

I'm going to look at the power steering reservoir once the engine cools down a bit more. I haven't seen any leakage on my driveway though. Anything else I should look into? I guess the alternator too, that might account for the loss of voltage, but how would it explain the power steering?

Thanks for any help

 

[Tapage]

loosing belts . ? tension .. ?

 

[Mace]

Belt died...

 

[pvidrummer]

must be a belt

 

[-VSG-]

hmm, must be a belt!

I feel dumb, had I looked under the hood even briefly, I would have seen that the belt was clearly loose.

The bolt that attached the tensioner to the engine block was missing. Otherwise the belt is in perfect condition. Got a new bolt and everything is back to normal.

Having that e-brake light come on definitely threw me off.

 

[lovetoski]

I feel dumb,

You fixed it yourself - didn't pay anybody - ergo you are not dumb.

Congrats!

 

[Mark W]

The brake light doubles as a charge warning light. Goofy approach, but there it is.


Mark...

 

[Tinker]

So did you replace the missing bolt?

 

[-VSG-]

Yes, I replaced the missing bolt. So now I can keep tension on the belt.

I'm curious as to how long the bolt has been missing and how it fell out.