Intermittent Power Steering

1. Stissy Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2009 Derby Posts: 4508 Nikes

   #1 10th August 2017, 12:23

   Afternoon lads,
   
   I’ve got a bit of an issue with my Mk2 VTS. I drove it yesterday evening and everything was fine. I came to start it today and the power steering had failed. I switched the car off and back on again, and the power steering still wasn’t working. I moved the car and checked the floor underneath, no signs of fluid or anything.
   
   I drove the car, albeit a bit stiff to turn, and after around two miles the power steering started working again. I have no idea why but it just kicked back in and worked perfectly. I drove it another mile or so then did a few low speed full lock turns in both directions and everything seems fine. I switched the car off and back on again, and it’s still working perfectly.
   
   Battery and alternator feel fine. There’s no obvious electrical fault. The car starts straight away every time and behaves as it should when running on the battery. My initial thoughts was a blown fuse, especially since it just stopped working entirely rather than breaking down over time, but since it’s started working again maybe a loose connection? Could anyone shed any light as to what this could be? Or where to look for probable causes? I’ve not checked the fluid levels yet – but I may change the fluid this weekend just as a matter of course.
   
   The car is completely standard so I don’t have the power steering pump / driveshaft issue. Any help would be appreciated.
2. smokeandpoke Regular Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Surrey Posts: 275 '57 Vauxhall Vectra CDTI - Daily '02 Saxo VTS - Tu

   #2 10th August 2017, 12:58

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Stissy Afternoon lads, I’ve got a bit of an issue with my Mk2 VTS. I drove it yesterday evening and everything was fine. I came to start it today and the power steering had failed. I switched the car off and back on again, and the power steering still wasn’t working. I moved the car and checked the floor underneath, no signs of fluid or anything. I drove the car, albeit a bit stiff to turn, and after around two miles the power steering started working again. I have no idea why but it just kicked back in and worked perfectly. I drove it another mile or so then did a few low speed full lock turns in both directions and everything seems fine. I switched the car off and back on again, and it’s still working perfectly. Battery and alternator feel fine. There’s no obvious electrical fault. The car starts straight away every time and behaves as it should when running on the battery. My initial thoughts was a blown fuse, especially since it just stopped working entirely rather than breaking down over time, but since it’s started working again maybe a loose connection? Could anyone shed any light as to what this could be? Or where to look for probable causes? I’ve not checked the fluid levels yet – but I may change the fluid this weekend just as a matter of course. The car is completely standard so I don’t have the power steering pump / driveshaft issue. Any help would be appreciated.

   Mine also does this!
   Can I ask what the power steering/driveshaft issue is?! Not heard of that before!
   
   Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk
3. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #3 10th August 2017, 13:46

   Pump is on it's last legs mate.
4. smokeandpoke Regular Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Surrey Posts: 275 '57 Vauxhall Vectra CDTI - Daily '02 Saxo VTS - Tu

   #4 10th August 2017, 13:50

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by stevo67 Pump is on it's last legs mate.

   Intend to whip it off anyway the vts is fucking scary when the power steering is working, feels much safer and significantly more planted without it and I felt I can judge the back end much better - I'm stripped but not lowered! I'll look for the proper way to do it, i.e remove the whole thing not just take the fuse out
   
   I'm still curious as to the driveshaft problem? What happens there?
   
   Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk
5. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #5 10th August 2017, 14:07

   Neither am I understanding the driveshaft issue mate.
6. smokeandpoke Regular Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Surrey Posts: 275 '57 Vauxhall Vectra CDTI - Daily '02 Saxo VTS - Tu

   #6 10th August 2017, 14:09

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by stevo67 Neither am I understanding the driveshaft issue mate.

   Then I shall apologize for hijacking the thread and move along
   
   Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk
7. AdamH Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2004 South Posts: 3638

   #7 10th August 2017, 14:25

   best bet is to remove the power steering / rack and fit a non pas rack... better feel especially on track
8. smokeandpoke Regular Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Surrey Posts: 275 '57 Vauxhall Vectra CDTI - Daily '02 Saxo VTS - Tu

   #8 10th August 2017, 14:27

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by AdamH best bet is to remove the power steering / rack and fit a non pas rack... better feel especially on track

   Yes I've read about this - will source a 1.1 asap.. I've got bushes to change to may as well do it all in a weekend!
   
   Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk
9. Stissy Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2009 Derby Posts: 4508 Nikes

   #9 10th August 2017, 15:02

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by smokeandpoke Mine also does this! Can I ask what the power steering/driveshaft issue is?! Not heard of that before!

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by stevo67 Neither am I understanding the driveshaft issue mate.

   I can’t recall whether it was the Mk1 or Mk2 (or both), but if you lower the front end the power steering piping would rub (turns out on the steering rack, not driveshaft) eventually causing it to split. Some evidence of it here but I’m sure there’s more:
   
   http://www.saxperience.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=439300
   and
   http://www.saxperience.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=413252
   
   
   

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by stevo67 Pump is on it's last legs mate.

   Cheers. I had better get it replaced then.
   
   
   

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by AdamH best bet is to remove the power steering / rack and fit a non pas rack... better feel especially on track

   I did consider this, but I’m trying to restore the car to its originality rather than go the other way.
10. smokeandpoke Regular Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Surrey Posts: 275 '57 Vauxhall Vectra CDTI - Daily '02 Saxo VTS - Tu

    #10 10th August 2017, 15:20

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Stissy I can’t recall whether it was the Mk1 or Mk2 (or both), but if you lower the front end the power steering piping would rub (turns out on the steering rack, not driveshaft) eventually causing it to split. Some evidence of it here but I’m sure there’s more: http://www.saxperience.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=439300 and http://www.saxperience.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=413252 Cheers. I had better get it replaced then. I did consider this, but I’m trying to restore the car to its originality rather than go the other way.

    I was going for OEM but I really don't like the way it feels when the power steering decides to work, it inspires absolutely no confidence. As I say, I'll be taking my pump off so will be available should yours be no good! I've got a spare VTR one but not sure it'll fit.
    
    Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk
11. AdamH Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2004 South Posts: 3638

    #11 10th August 2017, 15:54

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by smokeandpoke Yes I've read about this - will source a 1.1 asap.. I've got bushes to change to may as well do it all in a weekend! Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

    You can run the rack without the pump but its heavy... as the ratios are wrong.. I used a 106 non pas rack and its the 2nd best modification I have done after the Quaife LSD and before the turbo!
12. smokeandpoke Regular Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Surrey Posts: 275 '57 Vauxhall Vectra CDTI - Daily '02 Saxo VTS - Tu

    #12 10th August 2017, 15:57

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AdamH You can run the rack without the pump but its heavy... as the ratios are wrong.. I used a 106 non pas rack and its the 2nd best modification I have done after the Quaife LSD and before the turbo!

    Any particular models I should keep an eye out for? I take it some saxos had no Pas too? I'll do a scrapyard run Saturday morning! If I find one I'll fit it in the week along with the bushes and some new suspension if I find something I can settle on, still torn between springs and new dampers or coilovers...
    
    And then we'll finally get round to meeting up once she's race ready!!!
    
    Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk
13. Stissy Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2009 Derby Posts: 4508 Nikes

    #13 11th August 2017, 11:58

    Just as an update. I drove the car yesterday evening for around 10 miles, and then again this morning for a further 4 miles. All seems to be fine. Could it just be a one-off? If so, what could’ve caused it?
14. smokeandpoke Regular Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Surrey Posts: 275 '57 Vauxhall Vectra CDTI - Daily '02 Saxo VTS - Tu

    #14 11th August 2017, 12:36

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Stissy Just as an update. I drove the car yesterday evening for around 10 miles, and then again this morning for a further 4 miles. All seems to be fine. Could it just be a one-off? If so, what could’ve caused it?

    When I had the VTR, it was intermittent like this. A good hammering seemed to sort it out for a while until the pump gave up completely when I was sat at the lights one day!!
    
    Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk
15. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

    #15 12th August 2017, 14:20

    Your pump is dying. It will give the ghost up at some point.