Ok this just happened and want to get info on it. I have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee 4 door. (not sure of engine size) I think its a "Classic".

Anyway today I was driving home from work. I went around the garages of my apartment buildings parking lot and was turning right when my steering wheel locked up. There was a small bus parked so I didn't have room to do a wide turn, so I put it in reverse and backed up (which worked fine though didn't try to turn in reverse) I backed up and then used both hands to push the steering wheel over and it got easier to turn the farther into the turn I went. By the end the turn I was able to turn easily to go straight into a parking space. The only light that came on was "Check Gauges" though everything looked fine. I put it in park and turned the key off and pulled it out fine.

I called my step-dad and he had me try to the start it. Key turned fine and started normally.( no dash error lights came on) I reversed out of the space, while turning. Then went around in a circle around the garages. At no time did any lights come on or have any trouble with the steering wheel. I parked again and easily was able to turn the key and pull it out after I shut it off.

I am adding that the key was not locking up at all because in the items I have found about a steering wheel locked up said it was normally the key locking. Only thing I know is I might be low on gas, but that is not something I have ever seen causing a lock up of the steering wheel.

Wanted to check what you guys thought.

 

That sounds odd if it locked up once and that's it.

I'm no mechanic but I've had to deal with steering issues for awhile now and I've learned a lot. You could start by checking your power steering fluid. Is is clean? Full? If not your pump needs some love.

Then there's the steering box. Not sure if those fail like that. Mine is just getting sloppy and adjusting it helped a lot.

I wonder if it isn't some tie rod locking up because you're over steering? You know you shouldn't crank your wheels either way to the max regularly unless maybe you're wheeling and prepared to fix stuff all the time.

Hope that helps a bit. There's much better mechs here tho.

 

if you lost power steering and the check gauges light came on at the same time, more than likely your belt slipped, and the check gauges light came on due to momentarily low charging voltage from the alternator. a wet belt will typically squeel, but if a heavier fluid like oil, transfluid, p/s fluid, etc leaks onto the belt it can slip quietly.

 

The 2.5L motor has a power steering switch. It may pop a CEL.

Read here:

http://www.wranglerforum.com/f5/powe...ch-166235.html