☰
GET A QUOTE

Q: The battery light still shows after replacing with a new battery and the steering wheel is hard to turn. what is the issue?

asked by on October 14, 2016

Well, over the past couple days my car was acting strange then it randomly shut off so, I replaced the battery today and checked it again the battery light is still on and the steering wheel is still rough and hard to turn. The wheels do not turn and neither does the steering wheel turn like it is supposed too. Can you tell me what the problem is.

My car has 57000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Recommended Services

Steering wheel is hard to turn Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote
Serpentine/Drive Belt Replacement $111.60 - $349.96 Get a Quote
Crankshaft Harmonic Balancer Replacement $174.15 - $965.93 Get a Quote
Or For Any Other Auto Repairs Get a Quote

Hi there. This sounds like a belt failure or belt driven component failure. First check to see if the belt is broken/missing, then check the driven component pulleys for resistance that may have contributed to the belt failure. If the belt is present and not broken, then check the crankshaft harmonic balancer (pulley) for failure by seeing if the pulley aligns with all of the other pulleys; when a balancer fails, the outer section where the belt rides can move back and forth or come off completely. When the belt is off or broken, the alternator and power steering pump will not work and cause the concerns you are having. You may need a harmonic balancer and/or a serpentine belt. YourMechanic has several available technicians to assist you with a hard steering inspection, belt replacement, and harmonic balancer replacement.

Mercury
2007
Battery Light
Mariner
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I work the cargo shade in my car?
If you have one in the vehicle, the cargo shade provides you with important benefits. It can protect your cargo from direct sunlight, but it also shields your cargo from prying eyes, which can reduce the temptation to break in....
Read more
Car not starting after accident
Hi there. When you are in an accident in this vehicle the inertia fuel shut off switch will trip and shut the fuel system down. That is in the trunk and will typically need to be reset or replaced. If...
Read more
Car alarm short
I’ll assume that you are speaking of an aftermarket alarm. There is a huge selection of alarms on the market and they all have different features for making the car more secure. Most have a starter interrupt relay. The start...
Read more
Oil Pressure hot engine - 1979 Mercedes-Benz 240D
Hello. Engine timing and the oil pump work hand in hand. If the timing of the engine is off, then the oil pump won’t work as it should and this will cause low oil pressure. The first thing to do...
Read more
Why won't my car start now? What else should we look at?
Hi. This sounds like the engine timing may still be off and needs to be rechecked for proper alignment. Some of the wiring to the crankshaft sensor may be damaged as well (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-crankshaft-position-sensor) causing it not start as well. Also,...
Read more
Car lost functionality of dome light, retractible antenna, hazard lights, and clock; power steering also seems to be nonexistent.
Hello. From what you describe it would appear that your vehicle may be experiencing some sort of electrical fault, as well as a power steering issue. If several of the vehicle's accessories are not working then the first thing I...
Read more
Car Sputtering at Hwy Speeds
There are several things that can cause this kind of sputtering to happen, however one that is very common is in fact the camshaft position sensor failing which can cause problems with ignition timing resulting in sputtering as you describe...
Read more
Weird noise coming from middle of radiator on Dodge Ram
Hello, thank you for writing in. The noise may be something related to the fluid pressure inside the radiator, which is regulated by the radiator cap. You can easily have your cap pressure tested. Secondly, your cooling fans are located...
Read more
Could a data read error for the oil pressure and sensor cause Smoke from tail pipes?
The smoke is unrelated to the issue you describe with the PCM. Some smoke at start up can be normal, particularly white smoke from condensation. However, continuous smoking after the first few minutes signifies a problem with the engine that...
Read more

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2007 Ford Crown Victoria
This This enduring Ford classic enjoyed a nearly two-decade run before being discontinued from the retail market with the 2007 model-year being the last. Ever-popular with law enforcement (for whom models continued in production through 2011), and senior citizens, the...
Read more
How Long Should a Car Battery Last?
Eventually your car battery will become worn out and need to be replaced. Most car batteries should last about six years if well taken care of.
Read more
Understanding the Mercury Intelligent Oil Life Monitor and Service Indicator Lights
Car symbols, or dashboard lights, are a car service reminder. The Mercury Intelligent Oil Life Monitor indicates when and what service your car needs.
Read more

Browse other content

Estimates
Services
Cars
Cities