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Power steering fault

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50K views 16 replies 15 participants last post by  Vxmike  
C
#1 ·
I am the owner of an Astra K 1.6 CDTI for a couple months now, with just a bit over 2.000km on the odometer.

Last week I hopped in to the car for a ride as usual, but unfortunately it failed me too early: got the warning sound and a "Service power steering" error on the dash and the steering wheel wouldn't move an inch despite the engine firing up.

I tried turning it off, lock-unlock the car, turn it back on several times without any luck. I also drove a few meters forward and backward just in case it would help it get going. It was parked in a cool dry place so I can't blame rain/high temperature or any natural cause for its bad manners.

Convinced that the steering wheel wouldn't move I left it like that until I had the time to call in a tow truck. Next day, the car started without warnings, errors, nuclear hazard lights etc, and the steering would work just fine as if nothing had happened. I took it for a long drive, turned it off-on a few times, no issues.

I will take it to the dealership for a check-up soon.

Apologies for any mistakes in my language, I am not a UK resident/native.

So has anyone else experienced this?
 
M
#4 ·
Hi just had my power steering failure when I was taking a left hand turn, the steering went very tight, and on the dash appeared power steering error drive careful and the only the display ecu warning. SwItchEd off engine everything restarted, ando drove to dealership. They will look at it Monday, Hope it's sorted quick, will keep you all posted
 
Z
#5 ·
This just happened to me this morning. I was driving on a highway (130km/h) when all of the sudden the message appeared on the dash, and the steering wheel got very stiff. Interestingly, it happened on a straight section of the road.
I stopped at a gas station, turned off the car, tried to turn it back on and the same thing happened. I then turned it off once again, went out, locked it, waited a few minutes, and then restarted again and.... it now works just fine.

The guys who had this error and took their car back to the dealer... What was the problem and the resolution in the end? Any parts changed?
Thank you all!
 
S
#6 ·
I have the same problem. Had the warning come on 2 days ago and turned it off then on again. It worked fine, until recently. No warning comes up but the power steering is not working. The steering wheel turns but it's a bit stiff (no power steering is working).

Has anyone received any info on what was wrong in their experience?
 
A
#7 ·
zeblack said:
This just happened to me this morning. I was driving on a highway (130km/h) when all of the sudden the message appeared on the dash, and the steering wheel got very stiff. Interestingly, it happened on a straight section of the road.
I stopped at a gas station, turned off the car, tried to turn it back on and the same thing happened. I then turned it off once again, went out, locked it, waited a few minutes, and then restarted again and.... it now works just fine.

The guys who had this error and took their car back to the dealer... What was the problem and the resolution in the end? Any parts changed?
Thank you all!
Click to expand...
Normally at motorway speeds the power steering should not actually assist you at all.

On older systems the hydraulic system would just not work and the steering would be stiffer at low speeds, but unaffected at higher speeds.

Now the power steering is an electric motor that drives the steering columbn directly, but i would thing the motor would "freewheel" when the system detected an error. If the steering is stiff even at motorway speeds, it sounds more like the gears between the motor and steering columbn gets jammed...Or offcourse if the system malfunctions in such a way that the motor is still powered and "fighting" you...A bit like the lane assist, but just with more force. I really dont hope that the electronics can fail in this way as this would be rather dangerous.

If it detects a problem i would think it would cut power and any resistance would be some mechanical issue.
 
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T
#8 ·
Hi, just joined so hello everyone.
I also had the power steering fail this week, after hours of research and quotes of £1000 upwards and mechanics all scratching there heads and saying "oooh that's a tough one" I decided to take a risk and have a go myself.
I found a virtually new rack inc motor that had come off a 5000mile car for only £100, thought to myself what is the worst than can happen if it doesn't work I've only lost £100 and a bit of my time.
Anyway I did it yesterday, luckily I share a unit with a mate who has a ramp for Tinkering with old cortina so lifted it off the ground and got the tools out.
It was actually a very easy process despite having to drop the subframe which sounds extreme but is actually just a few bolts and ball joints to undo and remove, anyway took from start to finish with 2 of us 3hrs (needs 2 to lower subframe down as to heavy for 1 person alone). I wasn't expecting it work as everyone had told me I had to be a coded rack/motor direct from Vauxhall and had to be brand new one !
Anyway got it back on ground started it up and hey presto works perfectly 👍 so the £1000 bill I was quoted has now shrunk to £100 and 3 hrs of my time, I recommend taking a risk and at least try it.. 😁

Ps- first call I made was to Vauxhall who said after I'd had it recovered to them "it's normal Wear and tear that and it's ok to drive" (it's only done 45000 miles and you could barely get the wheel to turn 🤔) "we can book it in for you but it will 3 weeks before we can look at it as we are to busy" can't believe how useless they were because we can all just be without our cars for 3 weeks.
Unluckily it was 6 weeks outside the warranty.
 
#13 ·
T19mps said:
Hi, just joined so hello everyone.
I also had the power steering fail this week, after hours of research and quotes of £1000 upwards and mechanics all scratching there heads and saying "oooh that's a tough one" I decided to take a risk and have a go myself.
I found a virtually new rack inc motor that had come off a 5000mile car for only £100, thought to myself what is the worst than can happen if it doesn't work I've only lost £100 and a bit of my time.
Anyway I did it yesterday, luckily I share a unit with a mate who has a ramp for Tinkering with old cortina so lifted it off the ground and got the tools out.
It was actually a very easy process despite having to drop the subframe which sounds extreme but is actually just a few bolts and ball joints to undo and remove, anyway took from start to finish with 2 of us 3hrs (needs 2 to lower subframe down as to heavy for 1 person alone). I wasn't expecting it work as everyone had told me I had to be a coded rack/motor direct from Vauxhall and had to be brand new one !
Anyway got it back on ground started it up and hey presto works perfectly 👍 so the £1000 bill I was quoted has now shrunk to £100 and 3 hrs of my time, I recommend taking a risk and at least try it.. 😁

Ps- first call I made was to Vauxhall who said after I'd had it recovered to them "it's normal Wear and tear that and it's ok to drive" (it's only done 45000 miles and you could barely get the wheel to turn 🤔) "we can book it in for you but it will 3 weeks before we can look at it as we are to busy" can't believe how useless they were because we can all just be without our cars for 3 weeks.
Unluckily it was 6 weeks outside the warranty.
Click to expand...
T19mps said:
Hi, just joined so hello everyone.
I also had the power steering fail this week, after hours of research and quotes of £1000 upwards and mechanics all scratching there heads and saying "oooh that's a tough one" I decided to take a risk and have a go myself.
I found a virtually new rack inc motor that had come off a 5000mile car for only £100, thought to myself what is the worst than can happen if it doesn't work I've only lost £100 and a bit of my time.
Anyway I did it yesterday, luckily I share a unit with a mate who has a ramp for Tinkering with old cortina so lifted it off the ground and got the tools out.
It was actually a very easy process despite having to drop the subframe which sounds extreme but is actually just a few bolts and ball joints to undo and remove, anyway took from start to finish with 2 of us 3hrs (needs 2 to lower subframe down as to heavy for 1 person alone). I wasn't expecting it work as everyone had told me I had to be a coded rack/motor direct from Vauxhall and had to be brand new one !
Anyway got it back on ground started it up and hey presto works perfectly 👍 so the £1000 bill I was quoted has now shrunk to £100 and 3 hrs of my time, I recommend taking a risk and at least try it.. 😁

Ps- first call I made was to Vauxhall who said after I'd had it recovered to them "it's normal Wear and tear that and it's ok to drive" (it's only done 45000 miles and you could barely get the wheel to turn 🤔) "we can book it in for you but it will 3 weeks before we can look at it as we are to busy" can't believe how useless they were because we can all just be without our cars for 3 weeks.
Unluckily it was 6 weeks outside the warranty.
Click to expand...
When you bought a used steering rack did you much part number or any rack from Astra K will do the job.?
 
P
#9 ·
Vauxhall Astra SRi Mk7 (K) 1.6 CdTi 81KW 110 HP

I had the same issue, power steering stopped working when steering went full lock, waited until the next day to use the car and worked fine with same scenario happening each time i had steering on full lock.

No warning lights showing on the dash, only errors displayed were to 'check power steering' and 'check ECS'. I put the car in to get the car checked over as only 3.5years old and just out of manufacturers warranty and it was checked over by a power steering specialist and the diagnosis was.... corroded cables / connectors.

I was charged only for the time spent on the car by the mechanic which in my opinion was an absolutely fantastic end result!

I couldn't ask for a better service from 'Glasgow Power Steering' based in Camelon Street, Glasgow - 0141 764 1818

They were super quick and an absolute pleasure to deal with!

P
 
G
#10 ·
Hey Guys
Have had steering rack play up for a while finally got fed up with the noise when turning, as stated local stealer sorry dealer wanted £950 plus labour to replace.
Decided to take a chance after reading what T19mps had done,
So sourced a second hand rack £150 and local garage fitted, at the mo all working as should. 2016 CDTI 48,000 miles.
Thanks for the sound advice.
Gazman.
 
M
#11 ·
Gazman said:
Hey Guys
Have had steering rack play up for a while finally got fed up with the noise when turning, as stated local stealer sorry dealer wanted £950 plus labour to replace.
Decided to take a chance after reading what T19mps had done,
So sourced a second hand rack £150 and local garage fitted, at the mo all working as should. 2016 CDTI 48,000 miles.
Thanks for the sound advice.
Gazman.
Click to expand...
I had similar issues as described in this thread, my power steering failed then came back again, and finally failed with intense weird noise sounded like it was coming from the engine, but was not, steering wheel shaking back and forth rotationally, then it all went dead after I switched off engine, warning light and exteremly heavy steering, no assistance what so ever,car drivable once you get going, and you get used to heavy steering, but big issue during slow parking maneuvers.

Same with me for the local Vaux dealer wanted to rip me off for £1700.00 new rack and labour, plus he charged me £99 for diagnostics, had to leave my car with them causing me two trips in a taxi at a cost of £20 ! I will never ever look to consult Vaux dealers again.

I got a perfectly working rack for £70.00 plust local garage will fit for around £150. :D
 
T
#15 ·
Hello, just read all the comments, glad to see a few people trying it, I’ve done this now 3 times on 3 separate Astra k’s for friends or friends of friends, it’s worked every time, after some research I discovered it’s only new racks from Vauxhall that need coding, second hand ones don’t req the coding as it was done when built, even our local Vauxhall breakers was in unaware of it until I proved it 3 times to him buying racks, (he had dozens stacked up as he thought they were unsellable). Note also if you have the creaking steering, that is also the rack I put a post on earlier this year about one on a friends car, and the east way to diagnose it.
 
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