Help!! Car shut down and steering locked while driving!

Jason4486 · 11-16-2010, 06:09 PM

I was driving at around 25 mph when all of a sudden, the car just shut down on it's own and the steering column locked up. What's worse is I was slowing down to make a 90 degree turn and there was a car behind me that had to make a quick stop to avoid hitting me! I have had numerous long cranks starting the car in the morning. Could it be a fuel pump issue? Is there anything else that could have caused my car to do this? I am very worried that this might happen again in a more dangerous situation like when driving on the highway. I am going to bring the car in as soon as I can but I probably won't be able to get it checked for another 3 weeks because law school finals are coming up and I just have zero spare time to bring th car in for service. Any input you guys can give me would be appreciated. Thanks on advance

John 070 · 11-16-2010, 06:12 PM

Yeah, F this car and worry about finals. A N54 will make you feel bad, especially the whole dealership experience, then you wont be able to concentrate because of a BMW. Could be anything. I was always told hpfp was a 1/2 power, not a complete shut-off like I was getting. Hard to believe they still have this issue on a 2k11, my car was mfg. 48 mos. ago.

And don't forget, justice is the continuous desire to render every man his due.

bob.g · 11-16-2010, 06:25 PM

its probably the hpfp. maybe the power steering cut out when the engine shut, making it seem like the steering was locked up.

tofu- · 11-16-2010, 06:49 PM

Steering doesn't lock. You just lost power steering

J02 335i · 11-16-2010, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tofu-

Steering doesn't lock. You just lost power steering

+1

ChasVS · 11-16-2010, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tofu-

Steering doesn't lock. You just lost power steering

sleepyx637 · 11-16-2010, 09:38 PM

call ahead for a loaner and bring it in as soon as you can. you have 3 weeks until finals -- that's plenty of time to spare a 1hr trip to the dealer to drop off your car and pick up a loaner. honestly, that 1hr isnt going to make much (if any) difference in your grades anyway, but it could save your life if it prevents your car from stopping in the middle of the freeway.

galahad05 · 11-16-2010, 10:30 PM

I think I have to agree with sleepy's advice here. Sensible.

11-16-2010, 06:09 PM	#1
Jason4486 First Lieutenant 37 Rep 390 Posts Drives: 2011 335i M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Miami, Fl iTrader: (1)	Help!! Car shut down and steering locked while driving! I was driving at around 25 mph when all of a sudden, the car just shut down on it's own and the steering column locked up. What's worse is I was slowing down to make a 90 degree turn and there was a car behind me that had to make a quick stop to avoid hitting me! I have had numerous long cranks starting the car in the morning. Could it be a fuel pump issue? Is there anything else that could have caused my car to do this? I am very worried that this might happen again in a more dangerous situation like when driving on the highway. I am going to bring the car in as soon as I can but I probably won't be able to get it checked for another 3 weeks because law school finals are coming up and I just have zero spare time to bring th car in for service. Any input you guys can give me would be appreciated. Thanks on advance
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11-16-2010, 06:12 PM	#2
John 070 Lieutenant General 1707 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	Yeah, F this car and worry about finals. A N54 will make you feel bad, especially the whole dealership experience, then you wont be able to concentrate because of a BMW. Could be anything. I was always told hpfp was a 1/2 power, not a complete shut-off like I was getting. Hard to believe they still have this issue on a 2k11, my car was mfg. 48 mos. ago. And don't forget, justice is the continuous desire to render every man his due.
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11-16-2010, 06:25 PM	#3
bob.g Captain 21 Rep 677 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: montreal iTrader: (1)	its probably the hpfp. maybe the power steering cut out when the engine shut, making it seem like the steering was locked up.
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11-16-2010, 06:49 PM	#4
tofu- Banned 87 Rep 2,854 Posts Drives: 335i Jet Black/Coral Red Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: nyc iTrader: (4)	Steering doesn't lock. You just lost power steering
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11-16-2010, 09:38 PM	#7
sleepyx637 Captain 19 Rep 952 Posts Drives: '09 E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	call ahead for a loaner and bring it in as soon as you can. you have 3 weeks until finals -- that's plenty of time to spare a 1hr trip to the dealer to drop off your car and pick up a loaner. honestly, that 1hr isnt going to make much (if any) difference in your grades anyway, but it could save your life if it prevents your car from stopping in the middle of the freeway.
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11-16-2010, 10:30 PM	#8
galahad05 Brigadier General 158 Rep 3,158 Posts Drives: '07 335i e90 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (0)	I think I have to agree with sleepy's advice here. Sensible. __________________ Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. --Mark Twain
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