Ford Focus Power Steering Failure... Help please

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Pixelbender

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Hey guys

Last night my Ford Focus 2.0 Si 2006 model started idling erratically and gave a warning message "Power steering failure", and didnt really want to idle anymore... it also gave a whining noise, when idling or turning the steering wheel...

Has anyone else experienced this? Could anyone with experience maybe help me...

Im sad to say, but I dont trust dealers anymore.... Once you take your car in for some minor issue, there are always "other problems" - which need to be fixed, or worse, they replace another part and now expect you to pay for the "other problems"

I need some independent input. I'm in the Randburg, Northcliff, Newlands area...

If worst comes to worst, I'm going to try and check the power steering fluid levels first ( the car as it a friends house, so I cant check now - only after work today ) does anyone know of a power steering pump supplier and fitter?

Thank you and Cheers Anton
 
Does the power steering unit have enough oil?

Check in the manual - does it say anything regarding power steering maintenance?

If you're unsure, try to obtain an owners workshop manual from Haynes - these have pictures with step by step instructions on how to do most of the tasks.

Cheers

Libs
 
Take it to a Boss service center or some similar independent shop. I've noticed that they are multiple times cheaper than dealers (probably cheaper parts) and take less chances with "other" problems.
 
I don't quite see how your car's idling is effected by a possible power steering failure, unless the vehicle's safety system shut the car off in such a situation (which would be dangerous). The whining noise could be caused by too little fluid, or simply by a failing pump, it happens. If it is the fluid, then you need to find out what happened to it, i.e. there must be a leak somewhere.
 
Idling could be affected if the pump is driven by a belt from the engine (which is the usual way of doing it). If the pump has seized, it could provide enough drag that the engine battles to idle...
 
Colin62 said:
Idling could be affected if the pump is driven by a belt from the engine (which is the usual way of doing it). If the pump has seized, it could provide enough drag that the engine battles to idle...
Click to expand...

THAT makes sense!
 
Antondiq said:
Nope.... They say I have to take it to the dealer... Anybody with a similar experience?
Click to expand...

I know you don't like dealerships, but have you tried Rand Ford and Mazda on Hill Street in Randburg? I have always found them to be very good, and like you I am also skeptical of dealers.
 
Okay, I took it for diagnostics..... it's the Alternator.... doesnt have enough power to power the battery AND they have to replace two belts... Do they usually have to replace belts with an alternator change? or is this exactly what I'm fearing from a Dealership?
 
If the alternator seized or partially seized it would cause some friction on those belts. More likely it might be a precautionary measure, or just time for them to be replaced. Should not be too expensive and probably safer just to have them replaced.
 
Antondiq said:
Well, the quote for all is R6200 :-(
Click to expand...

Ouch, that's probably mostly for labour and the replacement alternator. This is the problem with these "high-tech" cars, very expensive to replace parts. I'll stick to my 10-year old Merc :p
 
You see the problem with dealers is that they have to replace parts, they can not repair.
So take your car to an Auto Electrician to see what they would charge to get the alternator repaired.
 
Couple of years back (around 2007) i heard of two relatively new ST's having power steering failures on a track. Could be a manufacturer fault, you google for it ?
 
Yeah, I'm really considering a car that I can fix with a screwdriver and some wire... ;-) It's really getting expensive now, especially after 140000km
 
I did google it... Although, after putting it on Diagnostics at the dealer, they said its the alternator and not the power steering, seems like theres not enough power to power the power steering. :-D <<<< Is it legal to use the word "Power" so many times in one sentence... :-P
 
You said you live in newlands? well, just off Ontderkers (sp?), on brown road, there's a decent auto repair shop ;). Took my polo there to get fixed up when the clutch was dead, and cost about R3500 :p.
 
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