The car shuts off while driving in the rainy weather, and steering wheel locks.

The engine runs the power steering pump. When the engine dies, you lose power steering ASSIST. You do NOT lose steering! It does NOT lock. It's just harder to steer. There is no way for us to guess what's causing your engine to die with the scarce information you provided. Get it to a shop to have it checked out.

I am assuming you mean you loose power steering when the steering wheel locks up, which would be a normal event if the engine dies. Same goes for the battery light since the alternator would stop charging the battery.
Someone will need to figure out if you are loosing fuel or spark when the engine dies, then troubleshoot the problem. It may be difficult to find if the mechanic can not duplicate the problem in the shop.

Disarm the Steering wheel SRS Airbag module by disconnecting the battery negative for 5 minutes, the remove the module bolts at rate of steering wheel with thin walled deep 8mm 1/4" drive socket. Next pull the airbag off the wheel and careful unlatch the connector lock and set the Airbag aside, then remove the lock ring and then the steering wheel nut on the steering sector shaft threaded end, you will now need a steering wheel puller to remove the pressed on wheel from the shaft. You can buy a puller from most parts stores for about $10.00

First, you need to make sure you are using the right fluid. Your system call for Dexron II or Dexron III automatic transmission fluid. Other fluids may "cavitate" or "foam" in your system and cause the whining noise you are describing.

Then, when bleeding the system, you need to let the foam settle for half an hour or more between "bleedings".

Start the engine, turn the steering wheel full lock left and right about 3 times. NOTE: When at full lock, hold the wheel there for about 3 seconds before turning in the other direction. (this will force fluid to flow through the pressure relief valve in the pump.) DO NOT hold at full lock for longer than 5 seconds - system damage can occur.

Then shut the engine off and wait for the foam to settle, (about 1/2 hour)then repeat. It may take 4 or 5 times to get all the air out so it doesn't make any more noise. Also note that normal driving of the car does nothing to get the air out. The fluid must be forced through the pressure relief valve to have enough pressure/flow to release the air trapped in the rack and pinion unit.

Section 11-00: Steering System-Service 1999 Taurus, Sable Workshop Manual SERVICE PROCEDURES Purging Power Steering System of Air NOTE: If the air is not purged from the power steering system correctly, a second customer concern or pump failure could result. This condition can only occur on pre-delivery vehicles with evidence of aerated fluid or vehicles that have had steering component repair.

A whine noise heard from the power steering pump may be caused by air in the system. The following procedure must be performed whenever any of the following are performed:

• All power steering noise complaints with evidence of aerated fluid on pre-delivery vehicles only, prior to any component repair.
• After any power steering system component (for example, gear or hose) has been replaced and the noise is heard.

Fluid Level Top-Off Procedure

1. Check and fill pump reservoir to dipstick full cold or remote reservoir center mark.
   

1. Disable ignition by removing Fuse 10 in the fuse junction panel.
   

1. Crank engine 30 seconds, check fluid level and add if required.
   

1. NOTE: Do not hold steering wheel on stops.
   
   Crank engine 30 seconds while cycling the steering wheel lock to lock.
   

1. Check fluid level and add fluid if required.
   

Air Purge with Vacuum External Source Procedure - 3.0L (2V) Engine, Flex Fuel and 3.4L SHO Engine

1. Tightly insert the rubber stopper of the air evacuator assembly into pump reservoir.
   

1. Reinstall Fuse 10 used to disable ignition and start vehicle.
   

1. Apply 20-25 in-Hg (85-88 kPa) maximum vacuum for minimum of three minutes at idle; maintain maximum vacuum with vacuum source.
   

1. Release vacuum and remove vacuum source.
   

1. Add fluid to full warm or reservoir center mark.
   

1. Reinstall vacuum source and apply 20-25 in-Hg (85-88 kPa) vacuum.
   

1. NOTE: Do not hold steering wheel on stops.
   
   Cycle steering wheel from lock to lock every 30 seconds for approximately 5 minutes.
   

1. Shut engine off, release vacuum and remove vacuum source.
   

1. Add Motorcraft MERCON Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid if necessary and install dipstick or reservoir cap.
   

1. NOTE: Do not hold steering wheel on stops.
   
   Start engine and cycle steering wheel from lock to lock every 30 seconds for approximately 5 minutes.
   

1. Check for oil leaks at all connections.
   

1. In severe cases it may be necessary to repeat air purge with vacuum source procedure.
   

Air Purge with Vacuum External Source Procedure - 3.0L (2V) and 3.0L (4V)

1. Add Motorcraft MERCON® Multi-purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent to approximately 2.5 cm (1 in) (make a mark) above the top of the supply line.
   

1. Tightly insert the rubber stopper of the air evacuator assembly into the pump reservoir.
   

1. Apply 85-88 kPa (20-25 in-Hg) maximum vacuum for a minimum of three minutes.
   

1. Add Motorcraft MERCON® Multi-purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent until the level is at the marked point.
   

1. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until the fluid level stabilizes.
   

1. Check reservoir level and add Motorcraft MERCON® Multi-purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent to the FULL WARM (MAX) mark.
   

1. Install the number 10 fuse in the fuse junction panel. Start the engine.
   

1. NOTE: The front wheels must be off the floor during lock-to-lock rotation of the steering wheel.
   
   NOTE: Do not hold the steering wheel on stops.
   
   Reinstall the vacuum source and apply 85-88 kPa (20-25 in-Hg) maximum vacuum and cycle the steering wheel from lock-to-lock every thirty seconds for a minimum of 5 minutes.
   

1. Shut the engine off, release the vacuum and remove the vacuum source.
   

1. Add Motorcraft MERCON® Multi-purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent to the FULL WARM (MAX) level. Install the dipstick or reservoir cap.
   

1. NOTE: Do not hold the steering wheel on stops.
   
   NOTE: In severe cases, it may be necessary to repeat air purge with vacuum source procedure.
   
   Start the engine and cycle the steering wheel from lock-to-lock every thirty seconds for approximately five minutes.
   

1. Lower the vehicle front end.
   

1. Check for oil leaks at all connections.
   

It sounds like you either have a very loose engine drive belt or belts (There are 2 on your car ) or more probably some component that is supposed to be rotated by the drive belts has seized up from sitting for so long. There are four different components that are rotated. The alternator, water pump, power steering pump, and air condioning compressor. Disable the ignition system by disconnecting the ignition coil connector and then have a helper crank the engine while you look at the pulleys to see which one is not turning with the rest.

drain all power steering fluid and replace with dextronIII/mercon transmission fluid start the vehicle and turn the wheel back and forth from lock to lock bouncing the wheel against the lock about 5 times on each turn for about 5 minutes
if this doesnt work you are probablygoing to need a new power steering pump

Try to bleed all air from the power steering system:raise the front of the vehicle off the ground just until the tires are off the ground,start the engine,make sure the fluid is at the proper level,while engine is idleing turn the steering wheel from lock to lock in both directions( do not hold at full lock for more than a second) repeatedly,at a average turning speed back and forth about 10 to 15 times,shut engine off, lower vehicle,check fluid level once again,take out for test drive for at least 10 to 15 minutes,if noise is still present then it's time to replace the power steering pump.Good luck!

FIRST OF ALL YOU HAVE TO REMOVE POWER STEERING FLUID.USING A SUCTION GUN OR LARGE SYRINGE.REMOVE MUCH FLUID AS POSSIBLE.WHEN DONE REMOVING POWER STEERING FLUID.YOU NEED A INLINE WRENCH AND OPEN BOX END WRENCH TO REMOVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE.YOU HAVE TO REMOVE POWER STEERING LINE FROM THE RACK.UNDER THE CAR SAFELY RAISE AND SUPPORT VECHICLE. THEN REMOVE THE TIRE OR WHEEL.THEN REMOVE THE INNER FENDER SPLASH SHIELD.ITS GOING TO BE A TIGHT FIT AND HARD PLACE TO GET YOUR HAND TO REMOVE THE POWER STEERING LINE FROM BOTTOM.WHEN DONE.MAKE SURE NEW POWER STEERING HOSE OR LINE HAS NEW O RINGS.WHEN INSTALLING THE THE NEW STEERING HOSE.WHEN ALL IS DONE BLEED POWER STEERING SYSTEM. FILL UP POWER STEERING PUMP TO CORRECT FLUID LEVEL.THEN LET IT SET FOR 2 MINUTES UNDISTURBED.THEN START THE ENGINE RUN IT FOR 2 TO 3 SECONDS.ONLY CHECK THE RESERVOIR AND ADD MORE FLUID AS NECESSARY.REPEAT THE OPERATION UNTIL THE FLUID LEVEL REMAIN CONSTANT.NOW RAISE FRONT OF THE CAR UNTIL THE WHEELS CLEAR THE GROUND START THE ENGINE AND INCREASE THE SPEED TO ABOUT 1500 RPM.NOW TURN THE STEERING WHEEL GENTLY FROM STOP TO STOP CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL.LOWER THE VECHICLE TO THE GROUND WITH ENGINE STILL RUNNING MOVE THE CAR FORWARD SUFFICIENTY TO OBTAIN FULL RIGHT LOCK FOLLOWED BY FULL LEFT LOCK BUT DONT HOLD THE SREERING WHEEL FIRMLY AGAINST THE STOPS.RECHECK THE FLUID LEVEL IF THE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR IS EXTREMELY FOAMY ALLOW THE CAR TO STAND FOR A FEW MINUTES.WITH ENGINE OFF.WHEN JOB IS FINISH. WARNING DONT DRIVE CAR ON ROAD IF YOUR FLUID STILL FOAMY OR POWER STEERING PUMP MAKE NOISES.REBLEED THE SYSTEM AND CHECK FLUID LEVEL AND CHECK FOR LEAKS.DONT DRIVE CAR UNTIL YOU START FEELING NORMAL STEERING.IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE DONT DRIVE.HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST GARAGE.

do the lights still come if so it is not the alternator , it maybe the fuel pump THe steering will lock up when the engine shuts down it needs power from the motor to work