Power Steering Problem

pg325

Hi people, I have a 2.2 Astra Sri, started driving my car this morning, the power steering felt heavier than usual, thought it may be a flat tyre or low fluid, got to work all tyres ok and fluid at maximum, lifted the bonnet and silence until you move the steering wheel, then some whinning coming from the right had side of the engine bay, definately nothing I've heard before, you can also hear it whilst sat in the car, also the lights dim slightly when moving the steering, but its always done that, any ideas?

dodger

yep same here mate, my power steering whines when turning, been to vauxhall about it and siad the power steering pump is ok but is just noisy, nothing to worry about

pg325

just gone and checked again and something is definately wrong, the steering does not feel springy, does your lights dim slightly when turning aswell?

dodger

yes my lights do dim aswell, that is ok as the power steering is working

Baz

yup my lights dim when the steering wheel moves but only if im stoped i used to get a heavy stearing not that long ago found out it was an air block in the system got it bleed and all is fine

dodger

what i hear from my vauxhall mate is that the power steering circuit is self bleeding

Baz

dunno mate i took it to a local garage who flushed it and put new fluids in and its a lot better now

vocky

changing the fluid usually does quieten down the power steering

pg325

fluid is full but might be worth bleeding and refilling, does anybody know if Vauxhall tech 2 diagnostics would identify a problem or is it a case of a mechanice just test driving and listening?

pg325

The fluid is clear, shouldn't it be red?

pg325

just been told these are electric units which obviously draw power from the alternator, could be this is not giving the required voltgage as the lights dim too when moving the wheel.

JohnnyN

The altenator could be a place to look at. You can get them checked free of charge at your local motor factor.