Dying E36?

limenuke · 05-09-2012, 01:01 AM

Hey guys...once again, I run into another problem.

I was driving home today in pouring weather when the following happened
1) Suddenly lost power steering
2) Suddenly rough idling
3) Suddenly lost brake assist (very hard to push pedal)
4) Suddenly battery + oil dash lights turned on.

Luckily, I got home safely. My lights inside were all working just fine and my radio was still going.

What is a likely cause for this?

Eurostyle · 05-09-2012, 01:12 AM

This is a very hard one since; power steering in mechanical (well hydraulic), power brakes are run off vacume (engine), and all the other lights are electronic. I cant think of ONE single thing that they all have in common. Check the belt, damaged or slipping one can affect power steering and alternator (im lost on the power brakes tho...)

limenuke · 05-09-2012, 01:22 AM

Hey Eurostyle. Thanks for chiming in. Your advice is always welcomed.

The power steering died once but I brought it back with a restart. It did not die again.

The brakes stayed dead.

My engine revs stayed at about 500 and would occasionally drop to near 0 if I didn't give the car any gas.

If my alternator had died, what would happen?

MiroE36 · 05-09-2012, 09:05 AM

If your alternator died you would run out of the juice and the car would fail to start after some driving as the alternator would not be charging the battery.

Since the breaks run on vacuum and a vacuum leak would lead to rough idle I would check for a break or tear in the vacuum lines.

doogee · 05-09-2012, 09:33 AM

Have someone scan the car for you, usually a good way to get started.

limenuke · 05-09-2012, 10:25 AM

Ack my scanners back in Toronto.. And as it is, I do not feel safe driving a car with no brakes assist into the road.

limenuke · 05-09-2012, 06:45 PM

-____-

Vacuum hose unplugged itself from the engine. Knocked my brakes out and caused rough idle. Since I immediately restarted my car when I felt the power steering loss, I actually don't think I had power steering problems - the engine had just died without me knowing.

Battery + oil lights on for those few moments remains a mystery.

Eurostyle · 05-09-2012, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by limenuke

-____-
- the engine had just died without me knowing.

Battery + oil lights on for those few moments remains a mystery.

You just solved that mystery! Dead engine = oil and battery light on!

Dr. Flyview · 05-10-2012, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by limenuke

-____-

Vacuum hose unplugged itself from the engine. Knocked my brakes out and caused rough idle. Since I immediately restarted my car when I felt the power steering loss, I actually don't think I had power steering problems - the engine had just died without me knowing.

Battery + oil lights on for those few moments remains a mystery.

Which vacuum hose was it?