Hi,

I posted this in January and it was answered by hutchysrs50 who said it could be the battery. The problem is some mornings getting the car from the garage the steering is very hard to move and I wondered if this this of something serious. It lasts only 1or2 mins. Going by what hutchysrs50 train of thought was I checked the battery.

Code check. None clear.

Battery 12-0 partial charge (what does this mean?)

alertnator 14-0 Normal.

Any help would be appreciated. Reason for late reply computer malfunction.

john42.

Did you do a drop test on the battery?

What codes have you checked and how?

Sorry hutchysrs50 a drop test, how would I carry that out?

Techie, checked with the unit that plugs in where the drink can holder is ,plugged in there. Said no codes clear.

Does the battery light come on when you turn on the ignition?

(It should; if it doesn't there's a broken wire, and an easy fix that'll improve your battery charging considerably).

 

Edited 17/04 for clarity.

Edited 17 April, 201610 yr by Wino

Sorry hutchysrs50 a drop test, how would I carry that out?

Techie, checked with the unit that plugs in where the drink can holder is ,plugged in there. Said no codes clear.

Which unit though? An OBD reader?

Yes. A hand held one not a laptop one.It has been ok up to now with its results.

Have you anything in mind what it could be?

Thank you for your reply.

John42.

If it's an OBD reader that will read engine but it won't be reading the steering control module.

Ive just replaced the battery on mine as when started on a cold morning it would cut the steering out and light up the steering fault light, had to reset it with vcds

No lights everything as normal there other than the stiffness every so often. Not all the time some times a couple of weeks between it happening.

That's the problem it is not consistent.

Number 5 post is asking you a critical question, what's the answer, very important.

 

DB.

Have you checked your power stearing fluid? Mine was like that on very sharp turns, turned out to be a power stearing leak

Lights come as you start as per normal. Then go out and stay out the car was serviced at Main Dealer at the end of February, nothing reported.

What do I need to check the steering control module unit?

Thanks for all your replies, as always it is greatly appreciated.

john42

VCDS will give you access to the steering module.

Can you confirm that the battery light, specifically, lights up at ignition on? Sorry to labour the point, but there's a really common fault that results in it not coming on, and the charging from the alternator not starting reliably as a result.

Edited 18 April, 201610 yr by Wino

Just checked no battery light coming up at all.

Have a look here, there's some photo sequences to get you to the likely wire breakage site in post #14.

Hi Wino,

I have tried to see something from the top, but I guess it is to low down. I am not up to clambering under my car as those days have long gone plus the angle of my drive makes things difficult. I think an Auto electrician is the best way to go.

Thank you for all your help in narrowing this problem down.

bit of a PITA but i would check the pas fluid level

Hi Wino,

I have tried to see something from the top, but I guess it is to low down. I am not up to clambering under my car as those days have long gone plus the angle of my drive makes things difficult. I think an Auto electrician is the best way to go.

Thank you for all your help in narrowing this problem down.

No problem. If you're located anywhere near me and wanted to save some money, I'd sort it for you for cheap bottle of red.

Hi Wino,

I have just had the car repaired,it was the signal wire as you all originally thought. They redid the wire and replaced the plug. Battery light now on, he said that is what was probably causing the occasional power steering tightness as the it is quite critical power wise.

Many thanks for all your help.

Most welcome.

Pop back in a week or two to confirm that it seems to be fixed, or for more advice if it isn't.

Thank you ,will do.