Power Steering failure

jgu80 · Post by **jgu80** » Thu Mar 29, 2018 9:53 am

Hi,

Had the Zed out of the garage yesterday for the first time in a couple of months and had a power steering failure.

Car started fine pulled out and away with no issues but as I slowed approaching the first junction the light came on and the steering went very heavy. I stopped and restarted the car and the problem went way. 40 mins later after a spirited drive along the a roads and country lanes I slowed again in some town traffic and everything was fine until I went to pull into a car park. Again light on and heavy steering. Restart problem went away.

When I returned to the car all was fine, 40 min drive home ok, but as I put it in the garage same thing happened again?

Any ideas? Is this just because the cars been sat for awhile, or is this a common problem that will need fixing?

The car is a 2003 e85, 3.0 se with 44k on the clock. Full service history, inspection 2 last summer.

MJJamieson · Post by **MJJamieson** » Thu Mar 29, 2018 10:04 am

First question to most electrical issues is Hows your Battery? was it on a conditioner while being unused?

jgu80 · Post by **jgu80** » Thu Mar 29, 2018 11:19 am

Hi, battery was new last summer but it hasn’t been plugged in over the winter so may be a little low. Car didn’t struggle to start though. I’ll get a trickle charger on the car and see if that helps.

Machine monkey · Post by **Machine monkey** » Thu Mar 29, 2018 11:28 am

Check the fuse and electrical conectors on the motor first.

have you pluged a code reader in to get any fault codes?

jgu80 · Post by **jgu80** » Thu Mar 29, 2018 12:01 pm

I’ve not had the codes read.

I’ll check the fuses and connectors.

Thanks

jgu80 · Post by **jgu80** » Fri Mar 30, 2018 7:47 pm

So I switched out the fuses and checked the connection on the column. No obvious issues.
Problem persists and it definitely happens more when turning the wheel to the left.

I fear a trip to the garage is coming.

Ducklakeview · Post by **Ducklakeview** » Fri Mar 30, 2018 8:12 pm

jgu80 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 30, 2018 7:47 pm So I switched out the fuses and checked the connection on the column. No obvious issues.
Problem persists and it definitely happens more when turning the wheel to the left.

I fear a trip to the garage is coming.

Code read is a must first, otherwise you are literally at the mercy of dealers. Whereabouts are you, as lots of members, including myself can do it for you. At least that way, you know what results and recommendations they should be giving you.

Mike

jgu80 · Post by **jgu80** » Sun Apr 01, 2018 11:20 am

Thanks Mike, I’m down in Oxted in Surrey. If you know any members down here who could help that’d be great.

Recommendations for a good indy would be welcome as well

jgu80 · Post by **jgu80** » Sun Apr 01, 2018 6:11 pm

Interesting shift, started the car today, rolled it out to wash it, left it running whilst I washed it to warm it up. Took it for a spin, no steering issues except a squeaky noise coming from the column.

Wondering is it needs lubricating/greasing or something like that?

jgu80 · Post by **jgu80** » Wed Apr 18, 2018 3:36 pm

So, the power steering motor has failed.

Needs to be replaced but the dealer says it’s a whole column replacement job? He’s quoted £3k?

Are there other options? Anyone recondition them?

Monkeydonkeyratmagic · Post by **Monkeydonkeyratmagic** » Wed Apr 18, 2018 7:03 pm

Ecu testing are your friends. 220 for a repair with lifetime warranty. Needs to be removed and fitted by yourself though. Not hard though.

jgu80 · Post by **jgu80** » Wed Apr 18, 2018 7:13 pm

Thanks, I’ll give them a call.

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