[wickedb3]

Hey all,
I own a '93 SLC and am having some problems relating my steering. Ok, So i'm driving down the road and all of a sudden my steering gets really stiff, the check engine light comes on, battery light flashes and the check oil light goes off as well. I have to fight the car over to the side of the road, trying not to lose control of it. I then turn the car off and then turn it back on and everything is ok.
This has happened 2 times this month and is very sporatic. I'm thinking that maybe something is wrong with the powersteering, but im not too sure. The funny thing is that i had the car checked out just last week and the shop that i brought it to said that all was ok. Then I get in my car today, and the problem happens again. If anyone here has any idea of what this could be please help me. This is turning into a HUGE saftey issue and it's to the point where i absoloutely do not want to drive my car in fear that something major will happen.
The problem occurs at the most random time and nothing that is in a chain. The first time that it happened was when i was taking a left hand turn at about 25mph, the car just wouldn't turn, straightened out and i couldn't move the steering wheel to the left at all, only straight and a little to the right.
The second time it happened (today, about 3 weeks from the first time) it did it when i was doing about 50 on a straight away.
The car doesn't shut of, and all of my electronics are working fine, nothing is shutting off. The check engine light flares up, check oil light, and the check battery light...
please if anyone could help on this one i would greatly appreciate it!! Thanks in advance!!!

 

[mumag]

Re: Problems with '93 SLC (wickedb3)

I have seen mass air flow sensor cause stall the way you describe it or control unit power supply relay.

 

[TimM]

Re: Problems with '93 SLC (wickedb3)

It sounds like your engine is dying (stalling-like what was stated above) and if the engine isn't running then the power steering isn't working. When you loose power assist (actually) you have only your muscles to turn the steering gear which wasn't designed for just you without some help so it will be very difficult-nearly impossible at low speeds even.
Understand the power assist is mechanical-driven by the engine by a belt. It either works or doesn't-I've heard of folks loosing it in high demand situations due to fluid boil or even a valve sticking but not low demand like you situations...
Good Luck

 

[VR66m!]

Re: Problems with '93 SLC (TimM)

Check the ignition switch. This is a common problem with Corrados.

 

[wickedb3]

Re: Problems with '93 SLC (VR66m!)

hey all thank you so much for the replies so far...
here's the thing... The car never DIED or Stalled out... It still is running while this is all happening, and im able to hit the gas and get a response. After pulling over to the side of the road, it is still idling. I would then from there shut the engine off, and then start it back up again and the steering is back to normal...
So this one completely has my mind boggled

 

[phatvr6]

Re: Problems with '93 SLC (wickedb3)

I presume you HAVE checked the PS fluid level?

 

[wickedb3]

Re: Problems with '93 SLC (phatvr6)

yeah everything is topped off... I'm beginning to think that it may be the rack boot... could that be a possibility? Perhaps if the rack boot tore and all of the fluid went out...
but it isnt happening all the time, it's very sporatic... like one week it did it, and then 3 weeks later is when it happened again. Both times were in the rain. One time i was going into a left hand turn and the other time i was just going down a straight away...
But yeah, all fluids i just topped off last week, OIL, Tranny, PS, brakes, and coolant...

 

[TimM]

Re: Problems with '93 SLC (wickedb3)

You mentioned it happened in the rain...my old A1 would illuminate the low voltage light whenever I ran thru a large puddle because my belt was getting wet and slipping on the pulley. Maybe your belt is old/worn and/or your tensioner is wearing out-not enough tension...
That sounds like your problem...

 

[Ed Casey]

Re: Problems with '93 SLC (wickedb3)

The power streeing pulley on the corrado is at the bottom passenger side. There is a crappy cover that usally comes off which is meant to kept the pulley/belt from getting wet. On most corrados and some other Vr6's this area gets wet and the belt slips. The power steering pulley is not grooved and is the "weak link" in the system. When the belt slips it causes the other pulleys to move faster (less resistance) and the alternator light and oil light come on since in thier mind "something wierd" has happened. Check for the cover under your car and make sure it is intact. Also check your serpentine belt and tensioner/pulley. If either is worn replace (I reccomend getting the belt from potterman at parts4vws.com & the tensioner pulley from adrenaline motorsports.. it has a replacable bearing and doesn't fail as often as the stock one) In the meantime spray some of that god awful belt stick-um on BOTH sides of your serpentine belt. Wouldn't want you to hit a puddle and wreck.
Good Luck,
Ed-92SLC



[Modified by Ed Casey, 6:12 PM 12-2-2001]

 

[twilk]

Re: Problems with '93 SLC (TimM)

sounds like the belt is slipping cause your getting the alternator light too.

 

[wickedb3]

Re: Problems with '93 SLC (twilk)

yeah, I just got into the car tonight and drove around some side streets, now my steering is VERY sluggish, harder to turn than normal...
I'm seeing alot of consistancy with the belt slipping theory. I think that im going to take the car in and have them make sure that the cover is still on and to replace my rack boot... hopefully this will fix the problem.... If not i have to worry my butt off about nearly killing myself if that steerting goes out like that again, especially on freeway/mountain driving...
I'm to the point where i DO NOT trust my car at all at the moment. And that is a hard level to reach. If i can't trust my car, then i do not want to drive it. Steering and braking are the things that I DO NOT want to mess around with, and this problem has scared me a little too much this month...
Thanks to all who have posted on here, I really appreciate the help....
take care all, and have a safe and happy holiday!!