Vectra Power Steering Failing When Doing 3 Point Turn

pennypincher3562

Hi

I've got a 2007 Vectra, and twice in the past few months the power steering has failed in the same circumstances.

When I'm doing a 3 point turn, the power steering has failed twice, and the warning light has come on. I'm sure it's not just coincidence.

Any ideas why this particular manoeuvre is causing the power steering to act up?

I've checked the power steering fluid level, and it's fine.

Thanks
PennyPincher3562

George_Michael

It seems to be fairly common with Vectras.
https://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?138861-Power-Steering-failed-then-started-working
It might be worth asking on a forum such as the one above to see if someone a definitive answer.

pennypincher3562

I've done some research, and quite a few people with different models of car have had their power steering fail while doing a 3 point turn. Could it be the pump on the way out? Does anyone know how much it would cost to replace the power steering pump on a Vectra C 2007?

Thanks
PennyPincher3562

forgotmyname

£250+ for the pump + fitting.

You said it failed recently? Who fixed it? Did it not have a new pump then?

It fails at that point because thats when the unit is stressed the most, Do you turn the wheel from lock to lock whilst not moving?

Strider590

It could have been damaged from holding the wheel at full lock, you'll hearing a whining noise if you keep trying to turn the wheel against full lock, this over stresses the pump AND steering components, it also forces the ECU to increase engine speed to compensate for the additional load.

Worth checking your auxiliaries belt is not loose/worn, most people replace the cam belt and totally forget to change the auxiliaries belt (used to be called fan belt).

pennypincher3562

forgotmyname wrote: »

£250+ for the pump + fitting.

You said it failed recently? Who fixed it? Did it not have a new pump then?

It fails at that point because thats when the unit is stressed the most, Do you turn the wheel from lock to lock whilst not moving?

I'll be honest, I can't even recall if I turn the wheel from 'lock to lock.' I don't often do 3 point turns.

The power steering did fail recently while doing a 3 point turn, but it was not repaired after the first incident.

Cheers
PennyPincher3562

TeamPlum

Same thing happens on Fiat Puntos (Mk2).

Can sometimes be cause by voltage drop due increased resistance.

Have a look at the terminals on the battery - are they all gunked up? If so, give them a good clean and pop them back on. Worth a shot.

Additionally, might be time for a new battery?

pennypincher3562

Hi TeamPlum

Thanks, I am no expert but I am not convinced there is a battery issue. Even though the car isn't used that much, its starts effortlessly every time.

What do you think?

Cheers
PennyPincher3562

TeamPlum

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

Hi TeamPlum

Thanks, I am no expert but I am not convinced there is a battery issue. Even though the car isn't used that much, its starts effortlessly every time.

What do you think?

Cheers
PennyPincher3562

It doesn't necessarily have to have an obvious issue. Given then cold weather, the joints across the wires contract, making resistance go up, this means the battery has to work harder - you've probably got the blowers, lights and wipers going too adding more to the workload.

More than likely, it's not the cause, it's worth doing, as it's free, and easy to do.

forgotmyname

Find an empty carpark and whilst parked turn the wheel fully from lock to lock.

Then repeat the test with the car moving slowly and see if moving takes the strain off enough for it not to play up.

fas3robinj

I've owned my Vectra 1.8 since it was new in 2007. The steering has failed a couple of times in car parks. The first time the car was only 2 years old. Both times it failed on a full lock maneuver with low engine revs. Didn't seem to happen when the revs were a little higher than tick over. I turned the engine off and restarted and it to reset the steering. Hasn't happened recently, but I always keep the revs up a bit on full lock. I wouldn't worry about it unduly unless it does it every time you are on near full lock.