loss of power steering

i went through a puddle on the side of the road today ( only about an inch deep ) in my 200 tdi and water splashed up and caused the battery light to come on and my power steering to stop working , this has happened a few times before and after a few seconds it all goes back to normal but this time the battery light went out but my steering is still very heavy .
i checked all the belts and they are tight and still on and the power steering fluid is fine so does anyone know wot else it could be .
when i rev the engine u can feel it very slightly working ( only just lighter than when the engine is off tho ) but it still is a lot heavier than it was before i went thro the puddle .

This is undoubtedly caused by the water splashing onto the drive belt and causing it to skid on the pulleys.

There are many ways to solve the problem, but these are the most common ways:.

1. don't drive through puddles or even when it is raining.

2. tighten the drive belt correctly.

But joking apart, I suggest you slip the belt OFF and make sure all the pulleys and wheels are turning freely. You might just have something close to seizing up.

CharlesY

i thought that but the power steering pump has a twin groove pulley that the belt for the alternator drives from so if the power steering pump was seized the pulley wouldnt turn so it wouldnt be able to drive the alternator

I had my pump go on my 300TDi. The pulley still spun but the shaft had sheared. Although I don't know the differences between a 200 and a 300, I'd take the belt off and see if there's any play in the pump pulley. If you find some, then it could be the pump's had it.

does anyone know how the pulley is held onto the power steering pump , is it on a key or a taper fit or is it just a very tight bolt ? thanks