When I was driving to work today in my Mazda B3000 truck when I went through a rather deep puddle of water. Immediately my battery indicator went on and it was very difficult to steer, as if my power steering went out. A little later I saw a "check gauge go on" for about 30 seconds and then went back off. Any ideas what could have caused this?
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How is it running now? – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2♦ Jan 20 '17 at 16:12
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I parked it at my work and its been sitting there so I may try to start it up around lunch and report back. – James Bilous Jan 20 '17 at 16:20
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Is the power steering electric or hydraulic? – Hobbes Jan 20 '17 at 16:32
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@Hobbes - It should be hydraulic. – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2♦ Jan 20 '17 at 17:04
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What's with Mazdas and puddles in the past couple days? Both of these made HNQ. – jpmc26 Jan 20 '17 at 22:30
My first thought is that the belt(s) that drive the accessories (alternator and power steering) slipped due to being wet. As for the check gauges light that came on later, I don't know. When it came on, did you catch which gauges where high or low?
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Unfortunately I did not, it was very brief. I'm thinking it's the belt as well since everything else seems to work alright. – James Bilous Jan 20 '17 at 16:20
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Happens a lot while off-roading, especially older Vee-belt (rather than polyvee) belts. – John U Jan 20 '17 at 16:53
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Took it into the mechanic and he saw the belt dangling underneath my car as I drove up. Restrung it and everything is good to go. Thanks! – James Bilous Jan 20 '17 at 21:21
