Hi there,

I've just bought a 2006 VRS and while reversing down the side of the house tonight the head lights kept going dimmer when steering. I presume the power steering is elecric?

Is this dimming normal or is it something like a shot alternator or battery? I don't have a multimeter or any tools bar a small repair kit from halfords with me as I'm away down south at the moment, everything looks ok and theres no weird squeels etc as yet however I don't know my behind from my elbow when it comes to mechanicals.

The reason I ask is I've got the phone the garage who sold me it on monday to get an appointment for them to fix the tracking - the steering wheel is ever so slightly off centre and if it's not normal it's yet another thing they can fix!

Please tell me it's not a lemon, after the nightmare of fitting an aftermarket head unit I don't know I could take it!

Thanks

Iain

Edited 28 April, 201214 yr by gullyg

Mine does it think it's due to later ones having a small battery and the load the pas pump pulls and your cars barely running the alternator so all juice is from battery

Yeah mine does it too from what I understand it's normal.

Yep mine does this too. My old Mitsi Colt CZT did the same also as that had electric steering too.

Thanks guys.

It the first car I've had with electric power steering, all my previous cars have been mechanical.

Technically it's electro hydraulic steering. Just an electric pump but it can draw up to 60amps so battery has to be tip top especially if using wipers, HRW, blowers etc.

Worth having the battery and charge rate checking. Also does the battery light come on with the ignition and then go out when started.

I've upgraded my battery and it doesnt seem to do it so much

Mine did this when my earth lead from the battery to the body was duff.

Changed that, problem gone.