Power steering loss and now engine won't start!

[httuner]

So, driving on the highway last week and suddenly I started to hear a whining noise. Drove it for 15-20miles to get home, got home and loss all power steering. I figure its the typical hose that needs replacing. I parked the car for a week and finally its warm enough to go look at it.

I tried to start it, engine turns over 4-6 times then suddenly doesn't want to turn over anymore. I noticed a little fluid on the ground, clear almost yellow(I figure this is from the power steering leak)

I thought my battery is dead, so I jump start it and yet doesnt do anything. Engine doesn't want to turn over anymore, starter just kinds of kicks in and nothing, not even turning over.

Could the power steering pump seize? causing the engine to not turn over? Or is my starter shot too? Battery is good and basically new, checked it and it reads a good 12-13volts.

I don't know where to start. Please help. Has anyone ran into this trouble before? no power steering and now car won't start.

[crc]

Could the power steering pump seize? causing the engine to not turn over? Or is my starter shot too? Battery is good and basically new, checked it and it reads a good 12-13volts.

I don't know where to start. Please help. Has anyone ran into this trouble before? no power steering and now car won't start.

I doubt the PS pump would seize; if it does it would strip the sleeve that connects the output shaft to the pump. My steering failed as well but it didn't affect the motor.

I would investigate the leak. Get under there and get a sample of the fluid on a piece of white paper;

- pink: coolant
- green: PS fluid
- yellow/amber/brown/orange: engine oil

Do you have VCDS?

[httuner]

It's a yellowish, amber color. My power steering fluid is yellow/amber(checked my reservior). I see fluid on one of the lines, it's the line to the driver side of the oil pan. No visible cracks or leaks, just wet with what seems like power steering.

The lines coming from the reservoir is dry.

I don't know where else to look, where is the power steering pump located?

Yes I have vcds, just the lite registered version. I'll check to find anything.

[crc]

Ahh cool. PS fluid also stinks like transmission fluid from memory... could be wrong.

Anyhow back to it. The PS pump is pointed towards the back of the car on the left hand side of the bell housing at the bottom. You can see it with the belly pan off. I would think that if it was a hose bursting you would have a ton of fluid. Is the level in the reservoir down at all?

[httuner]

The level in the reservoir is down a little to the min. mark, I remember smelling a burnt smell driving it home, definitely the smell of burning p/s fluid.

Thanks for helping, I'll look for my power steering pump and attempt to trace all the lines to find the leak.

[IslandHydro]

Manual transmission? If so you could put it in 5th or 6th and push it, see if the motor turns over. Might have to put the clutch in and get it rolling, then gently engage listening closely.

[LJH]

I would be willing to bet that your starter has gone kaput which is fairly common especially when it gets cold out. What are the miles on the car and have you replaced the starter during the cars life?

Cheers,
Jim

[IslandHydro]

I would be willing to bet that your starter has gone kaput which is fairly common especially when it gets cold out. What are the miles on the car and have you replaced the starter during the cars life?

Cheers,
Jim

But doesn't the common starter issue result in no-engagement, you turn the key and nothing happens at all?

Engine doesn't want to turn over anymore, starter just kinds of kicks in and nothing, not even turning over.

[LJH]

But doesn't the common starter issue result in no-engagement, you turn the key and nothing happens at all?

When my starter was going bad I would get a faint "click" when turning the key. Can't say for sure it is your starter but they are very susceptible to failing and even more so when it is cold and the car sits for a bit. I would see if bump starting the car works and if so then see if the starter will work once the car is warm.

Cheers,
Jim

[httuner]

Automatic and 147k healthy miles. Turns out my battery was low. I can't seem to find the leak, there is no room under that car. Space is so tight I'm worried how I will even fix it.

[Smokn337]

Sounds like your PS return line is blown. It's extremely common on these cars. It will blow or crack where the line runs beside the engine on the driver's side due to the heat/cold. The only fix that will work is to replace the entire line from the rack back to the reservoir. Mine blew, my mechanic spliced in a new section only for it to blow 4 weeks later. When we put the new line in, the old one had so many weak spots we were surprised it didn't blow sooner.