07 Kia Sedona loses power steering in the rain and battery/parking light turn on
What is your question?
I have a 2007 Kia Sedona and have an issue when driving in the rain. Driving straight is usually not an issue but while making a turn in the rain, with the A/C or defrost on, I lose all power steering and the Battery Light and Parking Brake light turn on at the same time. The car does not stall when this happens and the A/C or defrost stays functioning. Once I complete the turn both lights go away after about 5 seconds and the car drives fine again. If I turn the A/C or defrost off while this is happening everything does back to normal (power steering works and both lights go away). The belt does squeak every now and again when driving straight or turning in the rain which is a sign that I am about to lose power steering.
I have no check engine light or codes plus I have a brand new battery and alternator installed. If I hit a puddle I lose all power steering and the Battery and Parking Brake light turn on instantly. When driving on a day where it is not raining none of this happens.
What makes this problem better or worse?
It's better when I turn off the A/C or defrost when driving in the rain.
How long has your 2007 Kia Sedona had this problem?
RepairPal Certified shops can diagnose and repair your 2007 Kia Sedona. They provide transparent pricing with a minimum 12-month or 12,000-mile warranty on repairs and services.
When this occurs - the belt driven accessories are no longer rotating sufficiently due to belt slippage.
Highly recommend *hands-on* inspection of the drive belt - belt tensioner and driven components - by qualified personnel.
There may be a problem with the undercarriage ‘splash shield’ as well - passengers side - lower fender well area..
Damaged or missing splash shield will make this problem more pronounced - while driving in WET conditions.
Good luck!
Thanks for your response. Today I opened up the hood and wet the belt with the garden hose and saw the belt and all of the pulleys move very slowly, stop, and move slowly again, etc. Or just completely stop moving. Eventually spinning normally once the water dripped off. Do you think this would still be an issue with the tensioner? If you have any other ideas that would be appreciated. The splash shield is all in tact.
I forgot to mention but when this happens the little temperature control screen changes from degrees fahrenheit to celsius. Also, my trip mileage resets back to zero (trip a and trip b). This makes me believe there may be a short somewhere. I have years of experience working on cars but can't for the life of me get this figured out.
Replace the serpentine belt AND the belt tensioner - using quality parts..
Electrical concerns due to momentary low voltage output.
NEW belt AND tensioner should take care of ALL this..
DO NOT SKIMP - replace BOTH - already been ‘there’ with a few customers.
Its been a while since I replaced the tensioner and belt and so far so good! I haven't had any of the old power steering issues when driving in the rain. I did replace the tensioner once before with a very cheap one (lesson learned) and it didn't solve the issue but replaced it with a Continental one after your advice and problem solved! Thanks a bunch for your advice.
There may be a problem with the undercarriage ‘splash shield’ as well - passengers side - lower fender well area.. Damaged or missing splash shield will make this problem more pronounced - while driving in WET conditions. Good luck!
Thanks for your response. Today I opened up the hood and wet the belt with the garden hose and saw the belt and all of the pulleys move very slowly, stop, and move slowly again, etc. Or just completely stop moving. Eventually spinning normally once the water dripped off. Do you think this would still be an issue with the tensioner? If you have any other ideas that would be appreciated. The splash shield is all in tact. I forgot to mention but when this happens the little temperature control screen changes from degrees fahrenheit to celsius. Also, my trip mileage resets back to zero (trip a and trip b). This makes me believe there may be a short somewhere. I have years of experience working on cars but can't for the life of me get this figured out.
Replace the serpentine belt AND the belt tensioner - using quality parts.. Electrical concerns due to momentary low voltage output. NEW belt AND tensioner should take care of ALL this.. DO NOT SKIMP - replace BOTH - already been ‘there’ with a few customers.
I will give it a try and replace both the serpentine belt and tensioner. Thank you again for the input!
✔️
Its been a while since I replaced the tensioner and belt and so far so good! I haven't had any of the old power steering issues when driving in the rain. I did replace the tensioner once before with a very cheap one (lesson learned) and it didn't solve the issue but replaced it with a Continental one after your advice and problem solved! Thanks a bunch for your advice.
Glad you got it fixed! Thanks for replying - that may help others with similar problems.