05 STR
the Battery light went on this morning as i started the engine. No messages just the red light.
the power steering was not working but everything else seems to be working
any ideas?

 

You could charge the battery on the off chance that it is low.

Measure the voltage across the battery with the engine running, should be around 14.1V.

 

The loss of power steering is a big clue. Did you look under the hood? Is the serpentine belt still intact? Is the belt still tight?

A broken or slipping belt would take out the alternator and power steering at the same time. You'd also lose your air conditioning, but you may not have noticed that on a cool morning.

 

I went out and ran the car letting it warm up for 20 minutes. Battery light went off, power steering came back all gags normal, no messages.
has me confused.
power steering fluid just under max.
I am baffled.
Taking it to the mechanic for a check, of belts.
i will let you know results.

 

I wonder if your battery is about to give up the ghost, perhaps the amps dropped over night but when you ran it for 20 min the alternator was able to bring it back up to par for a while ?

 

This. Get the belt or it's drive fixed before you get stranded.

 

I have to believe that the battery is the cause.
its in the garage getting checked out, i will let you know the results.
thanks for the help.

 

Explain the loss of power steering........

 

Any word yet? What did the shop find?

 

Shop found battery was ok belts ok nothing sticking. I questioned one of the tension units and everything was operational and working.
I guess the no answer is the good answer for now. Time will tell

 

Found solution to power steering not working. the belt tension was not working all the time. replaced that and new belts while doing it everything is working fine new.

 

Hmm....intermittent failure of the belt tensioner? That's novel. Are you absolutely certain? I'd be dubious of the crank damper...

 

+1 especially with the temporary loss of power steering.