Engine cut out randomly...?

[lellykins]

Hello All,

When I was driving home few nights ago I noticed my speedo randomly stopped working. It then started to work again as I carried on my journey - got to my destination no other problems everything was fine. I then left 3/4 hours later and speedo was fine - no faults, no warning lights etc. I more or less go all the way home (roughly 4 miles later) when my engine cut out, steering lock came on, car started slowing and my battery light and handbrake light came on as if I had just turned my ignition on. Obviously this wasnt the case and was in the middle of a roundabout doing 20 mkph or so, luckily it was very late at night and no one else on the road - within 5 seconds the car came back to life and the lights went off, the steering returned. Its not happened since but has any one heard of this beofre or experienced it? Theres only ever been 1 other time I've ever had an issue my STOP light flashed at me for about 5 seconds and all my warning lights came up - engine was fine - didnt need to stop/pull over, this happened about 10 months ago.

Please help with any feedback. I'm worried its going to happen again but this time in rush hour traffic coming home from work.

[GrandadMonkey]

I doubt that your steering lock came on - I think you just lost your power steering as the engine cut out. Sounds as if you have a sensor on the blink or maybe an intermittent battery connection problem. First off I'd check the battery connections, earth lead, and that the battery is the correct height. It should be 190mm tall (not the smaller 175mm tall battery that is used on hatchback models) as otherwise this places extra strain on the leads and can cause intermittent connectivity issues.

[lellykins]

Hi GrandadMonkey, thank you for your reply! I will check those asap and see whats happening thank you for your help! Sadly though it was my steering lock that came on - had no movement to either left or right :-/ its not happened since so i'll check all my sensors then go from there.

Thank you again really appreciate it

[GrandadMonkey]

If the steering lock did lock up while on the move then that is not only scary it is extremely dangerous. That sounds like a fault with the ignition switch / steering lock itself. I wouldn't drive it until I'd got to the bottom of the problem. Could kill someone.