Something is wrong and I do not know what. I was coming in late one night and right as I turned in near my house (I am a normal/safe/easy driver) I heard a "thunk" in the front and then my battery light came on. The next day when I got up and started to drive the car, it started but the transmission would not go in reverse until I the car got to operating temp. when I got back from my errand, I started to back in the driveway and it would not go in reverse at all! The next day, the next time I started to drive the car, it would not turn over. So I went and got a new battery. Started up perfect, but I noticed the battery light was still on! It did go in reverse, but the steering felt wrong,,, ( perhaps because I was driving a rental car for a few days and got use to a softer steering?) When I opened the hood with the car in park and running, I also noticed it smoke coming from the front on the exhaust manifold at the oxygen sensor. HELP!!!!

 

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Is the check engine light on? If so, try and get those code(s) read to help explain what might be going on.

 

sounds like a few issues:

1. Smoke could be valve cover oil leak
2. Alternator runs on same belt as power steering, bad alternator can cause electrical issues which causes trans issues.
3. Issue with operating temp and trans makes me think you could have a bad radiator and trans fluid and coolant are mixing. Check coolant should be blue or green. Trans fluid should be pinkish red, very bright.
4. new battery with battery light means charging system issue aka alternator or wires.