Draining battery, brake and battery light turn on when I turn steering wheel

Tiny
AMENDOZA01
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 KIA SPORTAGE
  • 115,345 MILES
Battery light and brake light come on when I turn steering wheel. When driving lights flash on and off and when making a turn steering power goes out. I have had brakes both front and back replced. Timing belt replaced. Changed trans. Fluid. After the last thing listed it started with problems. Bat. Drain, replaced alt and battery. Turns on but when I turn steering wheel either way bat and brake lights go on and then off. Also the safety bag light comes on. Yesterday had to have it towed it died and wouldnt hold a charge. When I got it home the door locks and wipers kept going on and off without key. I disconnected battery. Put in new bttery and still flashing when turning steering. I only turn it on and dont try dri ing for fear of stallin and battery dying again.
Tuesday, May 7th, 2013 AT 7:35 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Check under the dash to see if any wires are bare and brushing against the steering shaft. Something seems to be shorted.

The SRS indicator light showing means a fault has been detected in the system and it could be from the cable reel under the steering wheel, which could also be the cause of the indicator lights showing due to shorting.

You would need to retrieve the trouble codes to find out what is wrong.
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Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 AT 10:43 AM
Tiny
AMENDOZA01
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I checked under the steering wheel. And there are no wires that are brushing against the shaft. Checked the codes and the break lights and battery lights turn on though it just flashes when the wheel is turned but it doesnt stay on.
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Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 AT 1:19 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Check under hood along steering and movement areas for same condition.
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Thursday, May 9th, 2013 AT 5:38 AM
Tiny
AMENDOZA01
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I already checked under the hood, too. However if this problem cannot be solved do you think the car is still driveable?
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Thursday, May 9th, 2013 AT 6:40 AM
Tiny
AMENDOZA01
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Or will driving it, mess up the alternator?
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Thursday, May 9th, 2013 AT 6:42 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
You will be stranded sooner or later as you have experienced before if you continue driving.

Check the drive belts and harmonic damper. Since problem occurs only when turning, it could be the power steering pump is draining the belt and preventing the alternator from turning at the required speed due to a faulty harmonic damper.
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Thursday, May 9th, 2013 AT 9:00 AM

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