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[JamesV6eliteestate]

I enjoy running cheap to buy luxury cars to keep the mileage down on my main car and I reckon that our Omega has proved to be one of the best value cars I have ever had. Consequently it has now stayed for a year and a half.  It has proved itself to be 100% reliable and unbelievably well specced and if it wasn't for one small fault it would be a dream car for what we paid for it.

The problem is the steering.

Sometimes I can make a 50 mile drive and the steering is faultless.  Another time we can be 2 or 3 roads from home, stop, make a right turn and the steering is so heavy it takes a lot of strength to get around the corner.  Then it is fine again on several of the next equivalent stop and turn right manoevres.

It is only a problem at roughly idle revs so low speeds fortunately.  It seems to only be on right turns (once on a left).  The problem is eased by increasing revs.

So I am reckoning the steering pump could be worn out?  The car has done 149,000 miles but it has had a no expense spared history and pretty much everything else on it is perfect.

The steering fluid is clean and at the right level and the never loses any. 

I replaced the belt that drives the pump and it made no difference.

At its last MOT about 6 months ago the garage never noticed anything wrong despite moving the car around quite a bit (actually around the block for a reason I haven't yet worked out) but said the steering idler was worn so I replaced it.  That made no difference to this problem.

Now you may think this is odd but there was an air leak at the front of the engine where a pipe fitting had broken.  I repaired this and that actually improved the steering and made the problem much more of a rare occurrence.

So before I go replacing the pump, I have read other odd bits eg an idle control boosting revs for the steering pump etc; steering relays etc. Is there possibly an electronic rather than a mechanical answer?  Seems like if this was an old 80s motor I could adjust the idle speed up and the extra boost would give the pump more kick.  That said I think the cars normal resting idle is perfect.

If the pump was knackered would it really give perfect steering most of the time?

Any ideas?  What would an expert check?
It is a 1999 3.0V6 Elite estate

Thanks for reading this waffle and for any replies

[RobG]

I enjoy running cheap to buy luxury cars to keep the mileage down on my main car and I reckon that our Omega has proved to be one of the best value cars I have ever had. Consequently it has now stayed for a year and a half.  It has proved itself to be 100% reliable and unbelievably well specced and if it wasn't for one small fault it would be a dream car for what we paid for it.

The problem is the steering.

Sometimes I can make a 50 mile drive and the steering is faultless.  Another time we can be 2 or 3 roads from home, stop, make a right turn and the steering is so heavy it takes a lot of strength to get around the corner.  Then it is fine again on several of the next equivalent stop and turn right manoevres.

It is only a problem at roughly idle revs so low speeds fortunately. It seems to only be on right turns (once on a left).  The problem is eased by increasing revs.

So I am reckoning the steering pump could be worn out?  The car has done 149,000 miles but it has had a no expense spared history and pretty much everything else on it is perfect.

The steering fluid is clean and at the right level and the never loses any. 

I replaced the belt that drives the pump and it made no difference.

At its last MOT about 6 months ago the garage never noticed anything wrong despite moving the car around quite a bit (actually around the block for a reason I haven't yet worked out) but said the steering idler was worn so I replaced it.  That made no difference to this problem.

Now you may think this is odd but there was an air leak at the front of the engine where a pipe fitting had broken.  I repaired this and that actually improved the steering and made the problem much more of a rare occurrence.

So before I go replacing the pump, I have read other odd bits eg an idle control boosting revs for the steering pump etc; steering relays etc. Is there possibly an electronic rather than a mechanical answer?  Seems like if this was an old 80s motor I could adjust the idle speed up and the extra boost would give the pump more kick.  That said I think the cars normal resting idle is perfect.

If the pump was knackered would it really give perfect steering most of the time?

Any ideas?  What would an expert check?
It is a 1999 3.0V6 Elite estate

Thanks for reading this waffle and for any replies

Tired pump

[JamesV6eliteestate]

In a way I hope so because I can fix that, but I don't want to change it and find it isn't that.  I might get to it soon.  Cheers

[Bent valve]

It could be an electrical issue. The power steering will become very heavy if the fuse controlling the heated seats blows. replace this fuse and check that it is contacting correctly.

[JamesV6eliteestate]

Funny that.  The driver's heated seat doesn't work but the switch does light up.  I guess that would be heavy all the time though.

[Bent valve]

Funny that.  The driver's heated seat doesn't work but the switch does light up.  I guess that would be heavy all the time though.

That is probably down to a broken wire in the seat, as most of them are, but do check the fuse is seated correctly

[Andy H]

Most likely what RobG said but

1. did the engine falter and almost stall? If so clean your idle control valve.

2.  did the ABS warning light come up on the dashboard? did the speedometer needle drop to nothing and come back up again when steering assistance resumed? if so then suspect the ABS ecu (which controls the servotronic power steering and speedo as well as the ABS)(more common problem on later cars apparently)

[JamesV6eliteestate]

No, all seems good apart from the sudden heavy steering after braking for a right turn so the pump is looking pretty guilty.  It's odd because we have got so used to it.  Even the missus can compensate for it! Cheers

[dragonlord]

both omegas iv had have done this

ie once in a blue moon when turning the steering will go heavy just for a second or two

then be fine ushall it only seems to do when its very cold weather wise

its like the progresive thing cocks up for a second

it feels like about the same prusure as when yyour at high speed with the omega and the steering stiffens up as it supost to do

I love to know what it is it dont seem a major problem but its anoying

this ones had a new ABS ECU so it aint that mine only on about 80 90 thousand so i dout its the steering pump

[dragonlord]

Its just dawned on me its only right turns as well

done it yesterday morning when i got back turning in to my drive

I dont know how the progresive steering thing works

is it posible that some sensor are screwing up making it think its at high speed

as it dont not seem that the power steering gos fully just it stiffens up for a few seconds

but id got use to as both elites iv have have done it

[Omegatoy]

would agree its the pump getting tired, 

[Kevin Wood]

If it's related to low revs, it's almost certainly the pump, I'd say. Next time it happens, slip it into neutral and give it a rev perhaps?

The servotronic system takes a vehicle speed input and turns this into a signal that drives a little valve on the steering box which regulates pressure, hence the ABS can affect the power steering as this is where the vehicle speed signal originates. I suppose the valve could be getting sticky?

It could be a problem in the steering box, I guess. If it's only turning in one direction that's problematic this looks more likely.

Having said that, steering box problems are extremely rare in our experience. Pump failures have been known, though.

There is no link between the engine management and power steering - no pressure switch to increase idle speed or anything.

Kevin

[Seth]

Similar thing happened to our TD yesterday when Mrs Sethsmate was waiting at our local bus stop for the two 'little fellas' ..........
 
Due to heavy rain, the car was idling to keep it warm inside, and she had the heated rear window switched on.
Just prior to pulling away, she noticed a change of engine idling speed, and sudden total loss of power assistance for the steering.
 
Just checked, and found that fuse 14 had blown!
This fuse protects heated seats, heated rear window and PAS.
Replaced with the correct 30A jobbie, and all's well again. I've also cleaned/reseated all fuse contacts/sockets too.
 
All credit to Mrs SM for successfully getting the car home and neatly parking it in the workshop ready for my attention this morning!