Morning all!

 

Before you say anything, yes I've used to search function!

 

My '04 plate keeps loosing power steering when she first starts up if its been cold over night. This is only for a minute or so at most but it's a real pain as she's not light! Sometimes it will bring the Steering Angle sensor warning light on, sometimes it wont. 

She's driven every day but if there is ever a day she isn't used, I can almost guarantee she wont start the next day.  

 

I replaced the battery just under a year ago and I'm sure I read a few months back about there being a possible wire broken around the back of the gear box? My other half and I had a look for this the other day, in case it could be an easy fix but can't see any damaged wires...

 

Any ideas what's causing this?

 

Really could do with getting this sorted before winter really does set in :(

 

Thanks for any help and suggestions

When you turn the ignition on do you get a battery light?

I only get the normal lights on the first click of the key. If I've had 2 jump start her I do sometimes get a flashing battery light once she's running. This is then followed by either beeping and her dying or me jumping into the drivers seat to get her moving before the beeps and dying start. The lights then clear once she's been driven long enough for her to be switched off and restart under her own power. 

If it's just the power steering issue the only additional light I get is sometimes the steering angle sensor which then goes out once the power steering comes back on. 

 

I can get a pic of dash lights when I leave work later if that helps? (I can guarantee the SAS light wont come on then though)

I'd get yourself somewhere where they can check the alternator is working.

Okie Dokie, Cheers Tech1e!

 

Think i'll have 2 scrape together some pennies if its possibly a dying alternator :( 

battery dying or the wire on the front of the gearbox broken

Its possibly the DFM wire but normally when thats gone you don't get a battery light hence asking.

As I said in my OP my other half and I had the car up on a ramp the other day and were looking for the broken wire around the gearbox but couldn't see any wires that looked like they were causing a problem. Will get the alternator tested on Friday, fingers crossed it isn't too cold over night between now and then lol 

Yep as you guys suggested, its the alternator.

Running a lot lower than it should be (forgotten what the numbers were)

Looks like thats next on my shopping list now :(