[Josh in Florida]

Hello,

I have a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis with appx 55,000 miles. Today, while turning left at an intersection, I accelerated to about 15 MPH, then realizing I was turning a bit too sharply to the left, I corrected slightly to the right - while remaining in an overall leftward turn. Two seconds later, my power steering failed and the steering wheel was almost impossible to turn. A few seconds after that, the check engine and overdrive lights illuminated on the dash while at the same time, the brake pedal completely locked up. I turned off the ignition, restarted it immediately, and all systems were a go. At this point I was already in my parking lot, so I haven't had a chance to attempt to replicate the issue, not do I really want to. Also, I had no warning lights indicating an overheated engine, and the hood didn't feel overheated, so I think that is an unlikely cause.

Any thoughts?

Thank you in advance.

Josh

[therenovater]

I am not a mechanic but a few things to check: make sure the serpentine belt didn't break, that is the belt that runs the altenator, power steering pump, water pump and on some the cooling fan. Second you might have blown a brake line and got brake fluid on the belt. If the belt slips you lose all of those functions.
Ben

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Potentially lethal. Begin by checking for codes--this will likely be key. After that, go over the complete ignition system; i.e. spark plugs, under hood and under dash fuses (check with a test light and spray fuses with WD-40), main grounds, alternator, coils, and crankshaft position sensor. If the platinum spark plugs (Motorcraft only) have never been changed, I would replace them. Be sure to use dielectric grease on the porcelein and electrode. You may have experienced major misfires, leading to a stall. Make sure the fuel filter has been changed in the last 25,000 miles. Press the reset button on the inertia switch, which can cutoff power to the fuel pump in an accident. If your car has recently been bumped, you definitely want to reset the inertia switch. Something caused intermittent engine failure--your job is to identify and repair what failed.

[KISS]

I believe your car stalled. The same lights would be on if you just turned the ignition key to the on position. You would have loss of brake and power steering assist which is more apparent at low speeds.

Question is why?