Mk3 2.0L Tdci Power Steering Malfunction

[Conveau]

Hi!

 

New to this forum and looking for a bit of guidance.

 

I have a Mk3 2.0L TDCI that I have owned since new in 2007. It has been regularly serviced, by dealers, and, apart from the normal wear items such as tyres, brakes, exhaust, etc. it has never been a problem. In fact, it has just returned from a trip down to France.

 

However, this morning it started perfectly normally but after a few minutes, the battery warning light came on then the steering became incredibly stiff, as if the power steering wasn't working. I stopped the car and switched it off for about 20 minutes. I tried it again and it started perfectly. Again, after a few minutes, the battery warning light came on and no power steering. I managed to drive it the half mile home and switched it off. Waited a few minutes and tried to start it again but this time there was insufficient charge in the battery to turn it over. Managed to jump start it and with the car stationary and with the engine running, a warning message appeared on the dash saying it had a power steering failure. Then the ABS warning light came on so switched it off. It seems like it is an electrical issue but can anyone offer me some guidance as to what may be causing the problem?

[sparky Paul]

No expert on the mk.3 (this is the mk1/2 section), but sounds like alternator failure.

 

None or intermittant charging can cause all sorts of electrical problems, including power steering failure if the mk.3 is fitted with electric power steering - and of that I am not sure.

 

You might have better luck posting in the mk.3 section, or if some kind soul would move this post over there.

[BrianH]

No expert on the mk.3 (this is the mk1/2 section), but sounds like alternator failure.

 

None or intermittant charging can cause all sorts of electrical problems, including power steering failure if the mk.3 is fitted with electric power steering - and of that I am not sure.

 

You might have better luck posting in the mk.3 section, or if some kind soul would move this post over there.

Whats said above makes sense to me - to check the alternator at its most basic level put a voltmeter (or multimeter set to DC voltage) across the battery terminals, compare the readings when ignition off and when running. If its the same (or lower/dropping) then the alternator would be the suspect. The unit itself may be ok, it could be a wire come off it if your lucky.

 

No idea on if the mk3 has electric or hydraulic power steering, easiest way to check is to see if you can see a filler cap for the fluid (though on newer vehicles this may be obscured by an engine cover anyway)

[Conveau]

Thank you both! And apologies for posting this in the wrong section.

 

I'll check out the alternator, although it was fitted new by Ford less than 2 years ago.

 

Many thanks!