Steering locking up while braking and turning.

[Neith]

I have a 2001 GT sunfire. Lately I've been having a problem where the steering will lock up completely when I'm braking and turning. It seems to only happen when turning right. My battery and oil light come on when it happens and I have to turn the car off/on to unlock the steering. But the car drives fine the rest of the time, no indication when its going to lock up.

Any ideas what this might be? I can't afford to go to a mechcanic and have them just start replacing things until its fixed.

Thanks in advance!

 

[melsg5]

is the steering actually locking or it just requires much more force to turn the wheel?
anything been added to your key fob?
have you checked the oil level when the engine is cold?

 

[Neith]

is the steering actually locking or it just requires much more force to turn the wheel?
anything been added to your key fob?
have you checked the oil level when the engine is cold?

It seems like its locking up entirely, I havent added anything to the key fob, and I havent checked the oil but I am getting it changed soon along with the filter.

 

[melsg5]

rather than wait, check the oil level now. Low oil level can cause a drop in oil pressure and can turn off the fuel pump on certain cars causing a drop in engine speed to the point of almost stalling.

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[dbikers]

Check your PS level as well. When mine gets low it makes noise when turning (mine is worse to the left). I can't imagine it could lock unless your key was in the locked position