Power steering warning light
Discussion
I have a 2007 Honda Jazz. A couple of weeks ago my car was making like a creaking noise when turning the wheel. Took it to a garage next to my work and he got it up on the ramp to have a look and said its the Power steering but don't worry it's fine to drive just bring it back when the noise gets worse. I said what will it cost and he wasn't sure of the part cost but around £80-£100. I don't know what part he was referring to though.
For the last week the noise has actually stopped but today I started my car and the power steering light came on the dashboard and the wheel wouldn't turn. Restarted the engine and its been fine since. Took it to the same garage and was a different mechanic this time. He ran a diagnostic test and it picked up two electrical faults with the power steering and there's not much you can do just hope for the best but its fine to drive dont worry it wont fail on you. He said very expensive to replace. I said the guy last time said it's just a part and he just sort of said no it's not that. Couldn't get much sense out of him. He said sometime they can clean it all out like spark plugs and stuff but I had it serviced in August. He also said the creaking sound was the belts.
Is it actually safe to drive? Not really sure what to do. Could the power steering eventually fail?
For the last week the noise has actually stopped but today I started my car and the power steering light came on the dashboard and the wheel wouldn't turn. Restarted the engine and its been fine since. Took it to the same garage and was a different mechanic this time. He ran a diagnostic test and it picked up two electrical faults with the power steering and there's not much you can do just hope for the best but its fine to drive dont worry it wont fail on you. He said very expensive to replace. I said the guy last time said it's just a part and he just sort of said no it's not that. Couldn't get much sense out of him. He said sometime they can clean it all out like spark plugs and stuff but I had it serviced in August. He also said the creaking sound was the belts.
Is it actually safe to drive? Not really sure what to do. Could the power steering eventually fail?
Presumably electric power steering? My Son had a Fiat Punto with the 2 stage (electric) power steering - you could switch it between normal and light (City IIRC) mode for greater assistance/lighter steering.
Anyway, it had an intermittent fault whereby every now and then the power assistance would stop, meaning the steering would become much heavier though it would still work and I suppose this could be dangerous if it happened at the 'wrong' time.
We were told it is a common fault on Fiats and the only solution offered was to change the whole assembly which was quite expensive.
Maybe you could find a used part to help with the cost?
Anyway, it had an intermittent fault whereby every now and then the power assistance would stop, meaning the steering would become much heavier though it would still work and I suppose this could be dangerous if it happened at the 'wrong' time.
We were told it is a common fault on Fiats and the only solution offered was to change the whole assembly which was quite expensive.
Maybe you could find a used part to help with the cost?
The problem, if it fails is that the steering will be unassisted and therefore heavier. I don't know by how much? - presumably as heavy as if the engine isn't running so you could give that a try.
The main safety worry is that if it fails whilst mid an important manoeuvre and it becomes suddenly heavy, it might cause a problem?
[oldfartmode on]'Twas easier it the olden days when steering was unassisted...[oldfartmode off]
The main safety worry is that if it fails whilst mid an important manoeuvre and it becomes suddenly heavy, it might cause a problem?
[oldfartmode on]'Twas easier it the olden days when steering was unassisted...[oldfartmode off]
Highly unlikely any part of it will be cheap.
Yes it could fail at any time.
And any PAS car, where the assistance stops, the steering WILL be very heavy. This may or may not be a problem to the driver....I would say in a lot of cases it will. Especially if it is without warning.
As for diagnosing...probably not that straightforward....but at the same time, probably not that many user serviceable or replaceable parts. It'd probably be the entire PAS unit whether that's the column or otherwise.
Yes it could fail at any time.
And any PAS car, where the assistance stops, the steering WILL be very heavy. This may or may not be a problem to the driver....I would say in a lot of cases it will. Especially if it is without warning.
As for diagnosing...probably not that straightforward....but at the same time, probably not that many user serviceable or replaceable parts. It'd probably be the entire PAS unit whether that's the column or otherwise.
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