Power Steering Issue

[glenn_btn]

Hi all

 

Got a call from my daughter that the power steering light is on and no aid at all. It’s a 63 plate and only done about 29k. Does anyone know if this model still has a fluid bottle under that battery, anything else I can look for when I go and visit it tomorrow. 
 

cheers

[sepulchrave]

I'd check the battery first, low battery voltage will shut the PAS system down and put that light on.

[mrgf]

As far as I know, they all have a power steering reservoir under the battery.

[glenn_btn]

Does anyone know what power steering fluid it takes?

 

In the old days it was just Dextron but I don't know now. I see with halfords the is an atf type or synthetic for a start. I looked through the manual twice and don't find any reference to topping up let alone fluid type

 

Thanks

[rum4mo]

I'd expect, if you find that it is low fluid that is stopping it working, you have a problem, these systems don't "use" fluid - I've always used VW Group fluid to the correct spec, but there will be others out there that match that spec.  So people say any fluid is okay.

 

Is there not fluid spec info cast into the green cap - I've forgotten.

 

Have you checked that battery to make sure it is healthy enough and charged enough and that the charging system is doing its job?

[sepulchrave]

Low fluid makes squelchy noises, it doesn't just stop working and since there's no oil level sensor it wouldn't put the lamp on. You're barking up the wrong tree.

[glenn_btn]

I have a battery arriving for it today as no bad thing to change it anyway. I was juts covering all bases as need to travel a couple of hours later to do the job for her.

 

I got her to start the car on sunday and leave it running. After about 15 minutes there was a small thud and the power steering light went out. She then took it for a drive and the light would flash and the power steering would come and go whilst making a small thudding noise which I though may well be fluid related..

[Tech1e]

Need to know what fault codes are stored in the PAS control unit to know why the light is on. 

 

Worth checking the fluid while the battery is out though anyhow. It requires green mineral fluid (NOT ATF), Halfords do sell it....

 

[glenn_btn]

So guess it's the pump

 

Swapped battery anyway and topped up the fluid. What a stupid place to put it as difficult to topup and not details about level or anything at all in the owner manual.

 

Put a scan tool on and no fault codes either. Guess it will be a mobile mechanic as totally un drivable with no psu