power steering light come on :(

[wrexham]

driving home my power steering light came on and as i was paking the steering is really heavy, any ideas?

 

[Jimski]

Be greatful, dont think mine could be any lighter!!

Check the fluid mate, any leaks on the driveway?


Jimski

 

[rf860]

driving home my power steering light came on and as i was paking the steering is really heavy, any ideas?

oh dear, your not having much luck with that car of yours are you? I read recently that the auxiliary belt being damaged can make the alternator not charge properly and therefore the power steering won't work as it is driven by the alternator belt or something like that? also maybe low on power steering fluid?

 

[wrexham]

where is the resovior ?

 

[rf860]

where is the resovior ?

behind the right hand side fog light cover (passenger side) im sure

 

[wrexham]

oh dear, your not having much luck with that car of yours are you? I read recently that the auxiliary belt being damaged can make the alternator not charge properly and therefore the power steering won't work as it is driven by the alternator belt or something like that? also maybe low on power steering fluid?

do you think this could be related to the strange noise i been get in 1st and second gear at bite point, i did think it was the clutch itself but no other worn clutch symptoms are presnt - pulls well, no slipping. but the noise does sound like a belt slipping noise it started doing at first when it was freezing or damp but now it does it all the time

 

[GlanzaV]

When my light came on it was the power steering control module (Which is integrated into the pump=£700) - I'm also quite sure the Ibiza has a hydro-electric pump so it's not belt driven.

When my problem hapened it was intermittent at first, but then the PAS failed altogether. When I was doing my research though some people were suggesting the Steering angle sensor s one solution (this is attached to the steering rack IIRC so perhaps not a DIY job) It was also suggested that it could be a connection problem at the pump, or indicitive of a battery problem (as the pump draws so much current)

 

[wrexham]

well went to dealer this morning, they got a mechanic to come and check over my car and guess what - light off and steering back to normal

he also said that the pump was electric

 

[wrexham]

its pissin me right off now! start car light on and steering heavy, then next time i start its fine, off and on all bloody day

thinking of calling the AA out and trying to claim off my breakdown repair cover, as reseach indicates PAS pump is on its way out and this intermitant fault will continue till it just fails in the end

recon AA will cover it??

 

[mick-fr]

A few people have mentioned PAS in this thread, also with the PAS being electric then it could be linked?

Worth a try I suppose.

 

[dg]

check wires under battery cover

 

[DEAN0]

its pissin me right off now! start car light on and steering heavy, then next time i start its fine, off and on all bloody day

thinking of calling the AA out and trying to claim off my breakdown repair cover, as reseach indicates PAS pump is on its way out and this intermitant fault will continue till it just fails in the end

recon AA will cover it??

1. How old is the battery ? - the PAS on the ibiza takes quite a bit of juice to run it.
Mine started coming on intermittently and all was cured with a new battery.

2. Does the steering go heavy mainly when going DOWN hill ? - deffo the fluid too low.

3. Have a look at the load signal wire - if it's broken the battery wont be charging till the engine is over 2000rpm.

4. When you turn on the ignition - do you get the battery light on ?

5. Another possibility is the steering angle sensor - bit of a bitch to change but about £70 to buy.

 

[martotdi]

I had the same intermittent fault with mine, i found was a bad plug (connection) to the alternator-fitted new plug and problem solved and been fine for about 3 months now.