Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Neil_MV6]

I have a 2002 3.2 MV6 Auto and on my commute to work this morning, on the motorway exit slip-road, I noticed that the steering went quite heavy. It was fine before and on the motorway. When I got to work I switched off and started the engine again but it still feels very heavy.

It doesn't feel extremely heavy like when the engine is off, so there is some power steering assistance but not very much at all.

Is there anything that could have caused this apart from the obvious Power Steering Pump failure or low fluid level?

I think I remember reading that fuse no.17 has something to do with power steering. Is that right on my model?

Is there anything else I haven’t mentioned that I need to check later?

Cheers Guys   

[GaryBC]

Any other faults evident? I had an aux belt break a few years ago which knocked out the alternator too. (Stank of burning rubber too as the belt wrapped itself round a moving pulley when it broke!)

[Agemo]

The fuse does play a part, worth checking, but normally this make the steering VERY heavy.  I assume you have checked the fluid level. 

[Neil_MV6]

No I've not done anything yet as I'm at work.

If the auxiliary belt broke, wouldn't a warning light come on the dash? Can you see if it has without removing any covers?

[Welung666]

The battery light would come on if the belt had gone as it also runs the alternator. The aux belt is very visible on the front of the engine. Check the fluid first

[Neil_MV6]

I think I've made a connection here.... earlier, just after I passed through the M6 toll booth I used the ciggy lighter. It was a few seconds later that I noticed the heavy steering when exiting the M6 Toll road.

My ciggy socket doesn't seem to be working now either. Hmm, coincidence?  :-?

I've checked fuse 17 which is ok. Which fuse does the ciggy socket run off? Is there another fuse that both the ciggy socket and Power steering use?

Could this be further proof that smoking is bad for you?  :-/

Cheers :smt023

[Kevin Wood]

Yep - fuse 14 is cigar lighter and servotronic.

Kevin

[Kevin Wood]

Fuse 17 only feeds the horn, by the way - on a 2.2/2.6/3.2 anyway.

Kevin

[Neil_MV6]

Yep - fuse 14 is cigar lighter and servotronic.

Kevin

Ha-ha that'll be the Huckleberry!

Thanks for all the suggestions. 

[Neil_MV6]

I'm not sure if there's a spare fuse, could I cause any damage to anything driving the 35miles home without servo assistance?

[Kevin Wood]

I'm not sure if there's a spare fuse, could I cause any damage to anything driving the 35miles home without servo assistance?

No. Should be fine. That relay also feeds part of the climate control system, heated washer jets (be careful that they don't freeze!), the "key in" warning buzzer and the power sounder.

Which raises another point - sounds like it might have blown because of a short in the lighter socket but if the car still has a power sounder fitted, it might be worth removing it and checking the state of the batteries. Could be it's starting to break down and leak, causing a high current draw. Given that they have been known to start a fire, probably best to be on the safe side.

Kevin

[Mr Skrunts]

A fuse is simple enought to check and change,

[Neil_MV6]

Yep fuse 14 blown, job done.