Total power steering failure - please help!

O

omar

Member
Hi,

2.5 54 reg convertible, 66k miles. The car hasn't been driven much for a couple of months but started up fine, just drove over to the petrol station and filled up. When I restarted the car the power steering exclamation mark light was on and there's been no power steering. Have left it for a day, also have checked the fuse (#22) which is fine and have disconnected the battery for half an hour in case that resets anything on the ECU but all to no avail. I'm totally out of ideas - can anybody suggest what it might be, even if only so that I don't get mugged by a garage?

Many thanks

Omar
 
Just to add that I've noticed the sport button isn't doing anything either. Presume this is linked. RAC came out but didn't have any ideas. Would a helpful fault code be logged by the ECU for something like this which isn't engine related?
 
You'll probably find a fault code is sitting in the system waiting for someone to read it. Where in the country are you? Maybe someone will be able to plug in their laptop for you...
 
omar said:
Hi,

2.5 54 reg convertible, 66k miles. The car hasn't been driven much for a couple of months but started up fine, just drove over to the petrol station and filled up. When I restarted the car the power steering exclamation mark light was on and there's been no power steering. Have left it for a day, also have checked the fuse (#22) which is fine and have disconnected the battery for half an hour in case that resets anything on the ECU but all to no avail. I'm totally out of ideas - can anybody suggest what it might be, even if only so that I don't get mugged by a garage?

Many thanks

Omar
Click to expand...

I had something similar about three months from new....I seem to recall the speedo didn't work either? If you'rs is also not functioning, then its like;y to be the same issue - part of the ECU - no idea as to cost if it is, but it won't be cheap and the car needs to be reprogrammed to accept it. I seem to recall it wasn't part of the engine ECU though? Hoping it isn't that! :)
 
Thanks for the replies - am in the UK. I've ordered a fault code reader off eBay so will update when it arrives. Speedo works.
 
So...

No fault codes showed up and today I've finally managed to get the car towed to a specialist garage. They tell me that the electronic steering column with the servo motor has gone and needs total replacement. Part number 32306780730 / Steering column assembly with servo unit. Cost from BMW is £2000 :cry: and they want £500 labour charges for the work

I'm phoning round trying to find a second hand unit from a breakers so hopefully won't have to shell out anywhere near the £2000 for the part, but does the labour charge sound reasonable? I guess there will be a fair bit of dis-assembly required but it still seems a bit steep for an independent garage.

Thanks again guys
 
i searched google and saw that part for 1600euro i.e under 1300£ on a german website, no idea if VAT was included.... Shop around before coughing up that sort of money though
 
Found a second hand unit at a breakers for £150 delivered :thumbsup:

Just hope it works properly - probably no way of knowing until all the work has been done. Can't believe how much BMW want for a new part - the column must be gold plated or something. :x
 
omar said:
Found a second hand unit at a breakers for £150 delivered :thumbsup:

Just hope it works properly - probably no way of knowing until all the work has been done. Can't believe how much BMW want for a new part - the column must be gold plated or something. :x
Click to expand...

Omar make sure the part has the pin attached in it before the column has been removed!! really important or else it wont work when its installed into your car, the whole column will be misaligned.

Also the part will have to be programmed to your car.
 
hi was the steering loss intermitent? i have the same problem but the steering works some days and not ohters. did this new motor solve it? this would be really helpful if you reply as i have been trying to get to the route of this for quite some whie.
 
wowser said:
Omar make sure the part has the pin attached in it before the column has been removed!! really important or else it wont work when its installed into your car, the whole column will be misaligned.
Click to expand...

Not only misaligned, the wiring to internal sensors can easily be broken, ruining the entire unit.
 
gtturbo87uk said:
hi was the steering loss intermitent? i have the same problem but the steering works some days and not ohters. did this new motor solve it? this would be really helpful if you reply as i have been trying to get to the route of this for quite some whie.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum :thumbsup:
 
gtturbo87uk - not intermittent, total and sudden. From what I've read on here intermittent issues ('sticky steering') seems more common and is usually related to the same component.
 
thanks for your reply. did the column sort yours? mine is not permanent and not sticky just intermitent. the only other thing i noticed the other day is on full lock turned right my steering seems to kic back the other way then the steering fails to. someone please help!
 
wowser said:
omar said:
Found a second hand unit at a breakers for £150 delivered :thumbsup:

Just hope it works properly - probably no way of knowing until all the work has been done. Can't believe how much BMW want for a new part - the column must be gold plated or something. :x
Click to expand...

Omar make sure the part has the pin attached in it before the column has been removed!! really important or else it wont work when its installed into your car, the whole column will be misaligned.

Also the part will have to be programmed to your car.
Click to expand...
Could you tell me what you mean by the pin attached in it as i have found a breaker with one but dont want to bu it if its no good. thanks
 
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