So I'm getting ready to go to work and I go out to start up my 2001 Cherokee Sport and there's this awful screeching/squealing and the power steering is out. I shut the ***** down and open up the hood, the serpentine belt isn't spinning (I turned it back on after I opened the hood) and it's a little smokey. I'm like WTF, I just drove this thing home yesterday and it didn't give me any more problems than normal (it occasionally cuts out when I stop without warning but starts right back up).

I checked the power steering fluid level, a little low... added more.
Checked the oil level... all good.
Checked the coolant... all good.


Any suggestions? I've got to go to work.

Thanks a million!

 

Sounds like the pulley on the power steering seized

 

Is your serp. tight enough? These require quite a bit to tighten correctly.