# Power Steering Problem on E34 **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [September 1, 2008, 3:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-problem-on-e34/18962 "2008-09-01T15:31:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![epolite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/779978/32.png) [@epolite](https://community.cartalk.com/u/epolite)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2008, 3:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-problem-on-e34/18962/1 "2008-09-01T15:31:35Z")
I drive a 1993 BMW 525I (E34) with manual transmission. Two days a go my battery light and brake lights both came on at the same time. As I went to turn I also noticed that the power steering was shot. Before long I noticed that the car was starting to overheat but fortunately I was close to home and immediately parked the car for the long weekend. I just moved to an area where I don’t have a trusted mechanic so I would like to have an idea what is wrong before I go see someone. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2008, 3:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-problem-on-e34/18962/2 "2008-09-01T15:37:33Z")
Have you checked for the presence of a drive belt or the condition or tension on the belt if it is present? ---
**Author:** ![Manolito](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/manolito/32/3070_2.png) [@Manolito](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Manolito)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2008, 3:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-problem-on-e34/18962/3 "2008-09-01T15:43:09Z")
Agree with OldSchool. The only thing that the charging system, power steering, and cooling system have in common is the belt(s) on the front of your engine. Almost certainly a belt or a tensioner has failed. If you didn’t hear a squealing sound or smell burning rubber at the time of the failure (which would indicate a seized device), this should not be a big or an expensive problem.