Ford Focus Power Steering Failure... Help please

Thanks, I'll look into it and will make a decision tomorrow as to where I'll take my car, anyway, Ben Morgenrood in Randfontein seems a lot cheaper, something in the region of R4000.. Its not cheap but more affordable ;-)
 
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This same problem affects FIAT Grand Punto's, I have intermitent failure of power steering. More so on cold mornings. All I have found online relates to altanator, battery issues (low power).
 
You get places that will exchange your alternator for a reconditioned one. Just as good as new. One for my VW cost R400. Any mechanic should be able to fit a alternator.
 
How can a dodgy alternator affect power steering?

Power steering is done with a hydraulic pump, powered from the engine itself and not from an electric motor connected to a hydraulic pump.

Unless they're getting smartass and is now using a separate electric motor to power the power steering hydraulics. Epic fail I say.
 
Had the same problem with my previous car - Opel Corsa CDTI Sport.

Had the alternator repaired, dealer sent to a place that specializes in this as dealers can't fix these things - they are swop out artists.

They didn't replace the belts, so the fan belt was then noisy. Then they replaced the belts but it still was noisy. Then they said I had to pay for new pulley's. Did that, still noisy, then they said they had to take out gearbox to check flywheel. My opinion - stuff the dealers, they're stealers...

so I got rid of the corsa and bout a almost new Focus 2.0si. I have had no problems but the car is only on 31k km. However, I had bad experiences with Ford at N1 City.

Firstly, don't take your car for a service on a Friday because they knock off early on a Friday and couldn't do all 3 things I had requested!!!

Then I went again coz I dropped my petrol card between door and window. Told me I had to book in car, but could wait while it's repaired. 3 1/2 hours after taking car in and waiting they told me they hadn't started with it and could they drop me off at office. I said no, give me my car back and went to a panel beater. Watched them remove door card, get petrol card, replace everything in 20 minutes!!!

And the cherry on top, Ford who won't let you see your car behind closed doors must have stolen my mp3 player that I leave in my cubby hole - problem is i only saw this 2 weeks later.... So no chance of claiming! Thing is I know it was them, as no one else has been with my car without me being right there!

My opinion in the end, it doesn't matter what you have, you will always be screwed. If I didn't need a new reliable car due to the high mileage I do for work, I would use my old 325i BMW daily instead and get rid of the new car.
 
The_Librarian said:
How can a dodgy alternator affect power steering?

Power steering is done with a hydraulic pump, powered from the engine itself and not from an electric motor connected to a hydraulic pump.

Unless they're getting smartass and is now using a separate electric motor to power the power steering hydraulics. Epic fail I say.
Click to expand...

Yes they are getting smartass, many cars have electric or electro-hydraulic power steering these days, which means your alternator/electrics have to be in a good condition. :wtf:
 
Yeah, look, I dont trust dealers from a mile, first of all, when they sell you a car, it was a friends old trade in, thats how they "know" the car has been looked after.

Then when you take your car to be repaired, theres always "something else" wrong as well, you never leave with just a fix on the original problem.

Anyway, so it is the alternator, not supplying enough power, thats why I'm getting power steering failure messages. Its not the power steering. I kind of believe them this time round.

However, I will be taking my car to another dealer and ask for a diagnosis, but I think I'm pretty set on these Ben Morgenrood guys, its more affordable... and they're still dealers... So, I'm pretty sure I'll get a proper warranty on the work done.

Everybody else is referring me to the dealers... Kind of an electrical thing. Bosch Electrical is just as expensive as the original dealer quote.... No luck there.

Thanks for the help guys - I'll also follow up on a few suggestions here
 
The_Librarian said:
Power steering is done with a hydraulic pump, powered from the engine itself and not from an electric motor connected to a hydraulic pump.
Click to expand...
It's electro-hydraulic (IE. hydraulic but powered by the alternator or it's completely electrical, IE. electrical motor fitted in the steering column). Because of the noise I'd say electro-hydraulic.

The price is probably because of the cost of the alternator, dealers load their prices. Last time I called a GM they wanted R3000 for a Corsa GSi alternator, scrap-yard R400. Wouldn't be surprised if it's similar with the Ford.

Also the cost of the auxiliary drive-belt is next to nothing compared to the labor and alternator cost so it's best to replace it. Not sure why there is 2 belts that need to be replaced. I'm guessing the Ford uses 1 belt for the alternator and 1 for air conditioner. On Opels there is usually a single serpentine belt (thick belt) rated for the same life as the cam-belt so they are replaced together.
 
That makes sense now.

Just a quick question - the electro-hydraulic power steering, is it disabled at high speeds? Because you really don't need any power steering when cruising at speed down the N4...
 
The_Librarian said:
Just a quick question - the electro-hydraulic power steering, is it disabled at high speeds?
Click to expand...

I drive a ford focus, not a Merc ;-)

Anyway, one would hope that that is the case.... for the odd days that I drive hands free down the N1 and theres a slight bump in the road... Could be disastrous :-D
 
The_Librarian said:
Just a quick question - the electro-hydraulic power steering, is it disabled at high speeds? Because you really don't need any power steering when cruising at speed down the N4...
Click to expand...

Doubt it, a electric motor uses less power when it isn't under load so it probably uses significantly less current under no turn situations.
 
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