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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? Commented Jan 20, 2017 at 16:12
  • I parked it at my work and its been sitting there so I may try to start it up around lunch and report back. Commented Jan 20, 2017 at 16:20
  • Is the power steering electric or hydraulic?
    – Hobbes
    Commented Jan 20, 2017 at 16:32
  • @Hobbes - It should be hydraulic. Commented Jan 20, 2017 at 17:04
  • What's with Mazdas and puddles in the past couple days? Both of these made HNQ.
    – jpmc26
    Commented Jan 20, 2017 at 22:30

1 Answer 1

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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. Commented Jan 20, 2017 at 16:20
  • Happens a lot while off-roading, especially older Vee-belt (rather than polyvee) belts.
    – John U
    Commented Jan 20, 2017 at 16:53
  • 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! Commented Jan 20, 2017 at 21:21

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