Hi guys,

A week ago today it was -3 degrees where I was parked in the shade and my power steering light came on. I drove for a couple of minutes until I was somewhere warmer, switched off for a few minutes and turned engine back on and the light was off.

Exact same has happened again today (light has been off all week) and the steering was heavy at low speeds but I noticed that if i rev the car the steering got lighter.

I was wondering if it could be a battery issue due to cold weather? I think its the original battery and the car is a 53 plate PD130.

Or is it something else?

Thanks,

Chris

A few potential causes.

Does your battery light illuminate when you turn the ignition on? Could be a broken alternator load signal wire.

Could also be a dodgy earth connection from the battery.

Damaged fuse on top of battery.

Battery on it's way out.

Yeah the battery light illuminates but then goes off once the engine is started - does this mean the alternator load signal wire is ok?

I was thinking that it could be the battery as when I rev the car the steering got lighter?

Yes if the light is then then goes with the engine running then it's probably ok.

Get the battery checked (for free) somewhere. The power steering pumps draw quite a lot of power so an unhealthy battery can cause it to trip out if it doesn't get enough power.

The reason it has shown itself in the cold is the battery performs worse in the cold too.

Also do the headlights dim quite a bit when you turn the steering wheel?

Phil

Cool thanks mate.

I've never checked the headlights but will do tonight.

Thanks for the help!

Chris

No worries.

If you do need a new battery then check out Euro Car parts. We get 25% discount for being on Briskoda.

I intend to order from them when I need a new one as my power steering light is also coming on.

Phil

Well its the battery - just had it tested and its 'state of health' hardly registers on the scale lol. Local TMS store has 4 year guarantee ones for £58 so think i'll go for this

Battery on the way out is the most likely cause for what you have described. This happened to the Wife's old Mk1 when the battery was seven years old, the car started with no problems, but in very cold weather the steering light would stay on after starting.

Well its the battery - just had it tested and its 'state of health' hardly registers on the scale lol. Local TMS store has 4 year guarantee ones for £58 so think i'll go for this

What brand and what are the cold cranking amps on it?

I know you can get a Bosch with 4 year guarantee and it's 74Ah and 680 CCA for £57.92.

Worth checking as you want to go for the biggest capacity and CCA possible really.

Phil

Oh not sure mate - I can ask and find out!

The prices from Euro Car Parts - are they delivered prices or postage on top? As I should think postage on a battery would be quite a lot!

Postage is on top from ECP, they do weigh a ton but then ECP probably do what a lot of places do and charge a bit over-the-top for very small items to subsidise postage on big ones. I click-and-collected an Exide Excell battery the other day and my car starts better now in the cold than it did last summer on the old battery, was about £48 collected with the Briskoda discount.

No! Delivery is free of charge with euro car parts!

Phil