Power Steering

[mickrochip]

hello there 

                   I was wondering if any one can help me, please, 

 the problem is this , I get a warning on the display that power steering system faulty, it happens at different times, the warning just comes on then goes off again, no problems with steering. does this car 54 plate 2.0 hdi (NEW SHAPE) use the same fluid as the suspension, i can only /see the rad bottle, and the suspension bottle. 

what type of fluid does this car take, 

another thing  my car was very hard to start today, i was wondering if the battery was not holding its voltage, and would this play havoc with the warning system

 thanks for now

[Johndouglas]

If your battery is anything less than perfect for holding its charge, you're likely to get all sorts of electrical annoyances - a lack of power steering being one of them. With your engine running your battery should be showing around 14.6 volts. Allow it to stand overnight and before you start up you should have at least 12.6. Less than that your battery is on borrowed time.

 

Steering fluid depends on your car's suspension. If you have hydraulic suspension the steering uses the LDS fluid from the hydraulic system. However if the car is on steel springs the steering system has a power steering reservoir which uses Total DA fluid.

 

For practical purposes there is no difference between LDS and DA fluids.

[mickrochip]

thanks for your quick reply, my car does have hydractive suspension, are these two fluids compatible with each other. 

[Johndouglas]

are these two fluids compatible with each other.

If you are referring to LDS and fluide DA then yes, they are made to the same PSA spec. Go to the last post on http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/22834-which-fluid-c5-x7-power-steering/ and see the two spec sheets.

[paul.h]

Some of the C5s use an electric pump for the power steering so if the battery proves to be ok and the lds fluid level is ok, then you could check its electrical connector and wiring.