Forums Forums Enthusiast Forums A - Z Autowirral Power Steering problem ??

Ello guys, need a little info.

My mum told me earlier she was driving her vauxhall astra estate when suddenly the battery light came on. No noise or anythin happened. Then when she got to the next corner she realised the steering was really heavy and required great effort to turn.

When i was in the car with her afterwards it seemed to me like the power steering was no longer workin. She was gonna take it to a garage but doesnt want to end up payin a load of cash if its an easy problem to fix.

I checked fuses etc an they all seem to be good for the steering, tried to chgeck for the power steering fluid under the hood but cant find it.

My knowledge of cars aint exactly great so not quite sure what else to check for.

Any help would be appreciated, cheers guys.

Check this O..............Its ****ed!


TBH mate this sounds like a garage job fo shizzle man.If its not fuses that means its somethin you-as a non-mechanic-could never fix-safely.

The PAS fluid is in a bottle with a picture of a steerin wheel on the top. But....if its ran dry why has it ran dry (means a leak) if it hasnt then its somethin else. Maybe the pump has died or the belt that runs it has snapped. I advise taking it to vauxhall.Is it under warranty?

Is the alternator warning light still on when the engine is running ?

If it is then it sounds like the fan belt has snapped

On most cars the fan belt goes around the alternator and the power steering pump therefore if the belt has snapped then the power steering wont work and the alternator wont charge neither, thats why the warning light is on the dashboard, its a Low Charge warning light.

If this is the case then its not advised she drives the car far as the alternator isnt charging the battery therefore the battery will drain very fast due to lights & Wipers pulling lots of current.

The Power Steering cap is normally black and about the size of the top of a coffee jar with a serated edge to it for grip. Normally located at the front of the engine bay, possibly by the battery.

Let me know how you get on matey.....

Ok mate nice one, your probably definately right as the fanbelt was on its way out anyway .... will let her know to take it to a garage asap.

Cheers

Actually mate, could u give a rough estimate as to what it would cost to get it fixed ? .... nice one if ye can matey.

Yes I second scooby, does sound like the fanbelt has snapped - The Batterylight comming on would indicate its not being charged by the alternator, the powersteering is also run off this belt so thats why that 'went off'.

Also to add, the P/S header cap usualy has a picture of a steeringwheel on it - Inside the fluid should be Red but usualy after time turns black like oil.

does sound like belt, but if its a diesel then the alternator and power steering are on seperate belts, not sure about the petrol models

got this sorted now cheers guys. it was the fanbelt ... only £30 to repair so was pleased.