Steering Help!!

1. Fubsy Infrequent Poster Joined: Mar 2010 Worcestershire Posts: 148 Citroen - Saxo VTS Vauxhall - Corsa

   #1 2nd May 2010, 17:05

   Hi,
   
   My car suddenly started losing the power steering today on and off, i thought it might be due to the fact we had alot of rain yesterday so just put up with it, when i got home later today i sat on the drive and i could hear a clicking noise in the dash ( relay ) when i heard it click the power steering went off, so anyway i sat there turning the steering trying to get it to do it and couldnt get the power steering to turn off again. but then when i turned the ignition off and back on i can now hear the power steering pump whiring away constantly!
   
   Its always on now! ? If i turn the ignition on to the first notch the power steering pump whirs and the power steering is working if i start the car the power steering pump is still whiring, the only way to stop it is to either pull out the green relay in the dash or turn off the ignition any idea how to sort it out? It was fine till i started turning the steering full lock left and right but surely u should be able to do that without causing a problem !
   
   Regards
   Fubsy
2. Fubsy Infrequent Poster Joined: Mar 2010 Worcestershire Posts: 148 Citroen - Saxo VTS Vauxhall - Corsa

   #2 2nd May 2010, 17:25

   Can someone tell me saxo vts should the power steering work on the first click of the ignition without the engine running?
   
   Regards
   Jay
3. user_36198 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172

   #3 2nd May 2010, 17:32

   should only work when the engine is running
4. Fubsy Infrequent Poster Joined: Mar 2010 Worcestershire Posts: 148 Citroen - Saxo VTS Vauxhall - Corsa

   #4 2nd May 2010, 17:40

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by mandyslover70 should only work when the engine is running

   I thought so any idea why the hell its stuck on ?!
5. Fubsy Infrequent Poster Joined: Mar 2010 Worcestershire Posts: 148 Citroen - Saxo VTS Vauxhall - Corsa

   #5 2nd May 2010, 21:04

   After taking apart the ignition barrel and cleaning all the pins, then pain stakingly putting it all back together i still had the issue, my friend then noticed it only comes on when the engine is rotated via the key so under the bonnet and started hitting things with a hammer ( lol ) my friend noticed that when u move the end of the alternator shaft it turns the power steering pump on and off WTF?! Now my alternator doesnt charge my battery so its obviously screwed but how on earth could the shaft be creating a circuit to power the power steering pump?!
   
   Regards
   Fubsy