General Power steering fault? won't start

[mattylamb]

Hi , I bought an 02 Seciento for my wife who is learning to drive. Ive only had it 3 weeks and only used it 2 times in that time. tonight i was going to take the mrs out fr a lesson but when I tried to start it up nothing happened. The power steering fault light comes on and stays on and it wont start. it doesn't do anything.

I tried turning the ignition off and trying again loads of times but no luck. Also took the fuse behind the battery for the power steering out and put it back in but this didn't help. I thought the car would still start if there was a problem with the power steering?

any ideas?

 

[T14086]

Nothing happens

Does ngine turn over?

 

[mattylamb]

no it doesn't turn over!

 

[T14086]

check battery,battery supply,main earths & go from there.

 

[mattylamb]

ok, though wouldn it turn over even if battery was nearly dead? plus the lights still come on.

 

[T14086]

Not if engine earth was down,lights etc would still work through body earth.Gotta start somewhere so start at easiest & most logical places.

 

[mattylamb]

ok thanks, I'll check it out in the morning. Cheers for the advice?

 

[rallycinq]

Simple check. Put lights on. The try and start car. If the lights go out the battery is flat.

The power steering light will come on until the alternator starts providing power, which it won't do until the engine is running.

Cheers

D