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Posted

Had power steeing problem message displayed this morning, the steering went very heavy as I tried to pull away.

 

I reversed back to my house. Switched off the motor. got out to open the gates, restarted the motor and all was OK. Display back to normal.

 

Is this the sign of a problem to come, or could it be related to a momentary disconection of the battery negative terminal and the negative lead from the chassis!

 

This occured while removing a jump lead and the disconection only lasted for 2 or 3 seconds.

 

This was two weeks ago. When the disconection occured I thought I had nackered the electronics but nothing stopped working.

 

Thanks for any help or advice offered.

 

Tim

Posted (edited)

Hi, its a 2006 VTR 2000cc estate six speed manual.

 

The reg is 06

 

I must admit I was a bit disappointed in the spec the VTR actually has, other than the VTR badge.

 

 

Having said that I do like it, its roomy, has enough low down pulling power for a old bloke like me

Tim

Edited by C 5 Estate
Posted

You may find that your problem is that your battery voltage is low.   There might be just enough voltage to start the engine but it will fault the power steering.   If when you let the engine charge the battery for a few minutes, then switch off and re-start and all's well again, it might be time to have your battery checked out.

Posted

Its a bit wet in Preston at the moment. however I connected the Millimeter to the battery and got 11.65v which didn't inspire me with confidence, and on turning the key got 8v with just a grunt from the starter motor so the battery is now on charge.

 

Tim

Posted

Your battery should show 12.7 to be in good health - 14.5+ with the engine running.   Charge it overnight then let it stand for a few hours.   If it still isn't showing 12.7 then it's new battery time.

Posted

Battery fully charged by 1600 hours (slow charging rate started at 12.00h)

 

Good quality digital Megga multimeter read 12.4v,

 

reconnected the negative lead to the battery and the meter read 11.3v,

 

spun the starter motor and the engine fired, however the momentary reading was 9v,

 

then with engine started and ticking over 14.2v.

 

The battery is less than 2 years old, possibly less than 1 year.

 

The terminals appear to be in good order so will check voltage before, during, and once its running tomorrow and pop round to the battery supplier if things don't work out.

 

Tim

Posted (edited)

Thats a dying battery 11.3v when connected is around 30% charge. The 12.4 will probably have been a surface charge that dissipated when you hooked the terminals back up.

 

Anything thats dropping to the 9-8 volt region on cranking is liable to throw fault codes on modern cars so its harder to limp a battery to that completely shagged point that we used to be able to do.

 

On the plus side your alternator appears to be working.

Edited by Parkesie
Posted

Agree with Parkesie, I have found that a battery that appears to charge quickly in a few hours is the sign of one that has lost a lot of its capacity. 12.4 volts is also classed as a flat battery if you look at values in a Haynes manual with 12.7 volts being a good charge. To charge a good battery at a low charge rate takes a day or so. Most decent batteries have a guarantee of 3 or 4 years so have a look for its receipt.

 

In the C5 technical section Common Problems pinned topic there is a procedure for using jump leads to avoid problems, care of coastline taxis.

Posted

Finally got around to dealing with the motor.

 

had it on charge over night, then took it off charge and reconnected battery at 11am this morning.

 

Went to start it at1600 and it was dead, so I removed the battery and took it round to Longton Batteries Services in Preston who tested it and pronounced it duff, apparently a dead cell.

 

They promptly  replaced it under warrantee.

 

Good service is always worthy of a plug, they are on Fylde Rd Preston PR2 2NH Tel 01772 283741 

 

Thank you for all advice offered by members of this forum..

 

Tim

Posted

To be  honest I had  completely forgotten about the "power steering" warning which I am pleased to say has not returned.

 

The modern computerized cars are so different from the Wolseley 6/90,  my first motor which cost me the princely sum of £19-00p in1966

 

It had a bench front seat with column gear change, a wonderful vehicle. So much simpler than today.

 

However when considering the 20ish to the gallon and zero crash resistance my C5 has lots going for it.

 

Tim

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