Steering warning light on and "heavy" steering after dead battery incident

[jamesvpvt]

Before I pay the dealer a couple thousand to diagnose this problem, I figured I'd give the forum a shot.

I have had a dead battery incident on my 2003 Z4 3.0i, and while driving about 10 mins after a jump start, the steering warning light pops on and the steering becomes "heavy", clearly the power assist stopped working.

Anyone got any hints?

Thanks a bunch.

[Wheelchill]

Did you diagnose the problem?

[Giovanni B]

I had the same problem on my 2004 Z4 2.2 while driving on the motorway triggered by complete alternator failure. The steering on these cars is especially heavy with power off as you are fighting the electric motor. The steering has never been the same since though and heavier tan it should be at parking speeds.