Help!!! The power brakes and steering failed simultaneously on my friends 1999 Monte LS with 95,000 while doing 60mph on the freeway. Has anyone else had this problem? Other sites suggest the problem could be the power steering pump with other car types. Any ideas?

 

The two systems are unrelated. Any idea on what actually failled?and do you power assist failled or do you mean it ceased to steer or brake altogether? And how up to date is the maintnance?

 

Thanks for your reply 167ss. To clarify, the power assist failed. There were no warning lights. Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to see the car myself yet. It was towed to a shop. There was no mention of the engine shutting off, but I'm starting to wonder if in the panic of the moment, it did. I'm familiar with the recall on ignition switch problem allowing the switch position to move from run to off, but I thought it applied to different models. This is a 1999 MC LS w/3.1L. I'm so curious it's been driving me crazy all weekend. As for maintenance, It's had a basic tune up and brake pads and rotors were just replaced a few days ago, but doubt much else. It will be interesting to learn what the shop finds and will follow up with post. In the mean time any other posts are appreciated to see if diagnosis concurs.

 

Well I'll CSI this up. Maybe it threw the belt (losing the power steering) and the belt flinging around under the hood cut the vacuum line to the brake booster! Highly unlikely, but good Scooby-Doo mystery logic applied..

 

I thought of the serpentine belt too. Not being familiar with the 3.1L, I wasn't sure if the power steering pump runs the brake hydraulics too, as I have read to be the case with some other cars. That was the first thing that popped up when I Googled "Power steering and brake failure". Thanks for your input. I hope to find out what the shop says tomorrow.

 

To add to the previous thread, acticles say if the power steering pump fails the brake hydraulics are also effected.

 

Separate systems. And ignition switch thing was 00+ montes

 

Thanks 167SS that's what I thought. Just had the ignition recall done on my '00 SS. I should know what the shop says happened tomorrow. I'll be pissed if she let it run out of oil and the engine seized. I've been after her about that.

 

Thanks for replies everybody The stupid @#$% b.... ran it out of oil and blew her up #@%*!