Technical Power steering fault

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Technical Power steering fault

Wouldn't it be mostly for cranking up the engine?

That's what the battery does.

All the alternator has to do is powe the lights, heater fan, the electronics and replace the small amount of energy used when the engine was started. Some days it will be running the heated window but again those peak loads would normally come from the battery.

The power steering is also battery dependent but it needs A LOT , especially at low speed when the engine is not really driving the alternator very hard.

The solution was a stonking alternator that will make useful power even at very low engine speeds.

The alternator/power steering drive belt is a multi-vee, tensioned by a spring roller. The belt will wear so if you suspect its' slipping you need to fit a new one. Get a mirror and torch to look at the grooved side where it folds back over the tensioner. If there is cracking across the Vee ribs, you need a new belt.
 
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That's what the battery does.

All the alternator has to do is powe the lights, heater fan, the electronics and replace the small amount of energy used when the engine was started. Some days it will be running the heated window but again those peak loads would normally come from the battery.

The power steering is also battery dependent but it needs A LOT , especially at low speed when the engine is not really driving the alternator very hard.

The solution was a stonking alternator that will make useful power even at very low engine speeds.

The alternator/power steering drive belt is a multi-vee, tensioned by a spring roller. The belt will wear so if you suspect its' slipping you need to fit a new one. Get a mirror and torch to look at the grooved side where it folds back over the tensioner. If there is cracking across the Vee ribs, you need a new belt.

Most Pandas don't have a tensioner. Only aircon models. Its only a short belt so needs to be fairly tight. I dont like it too tight as it puts strain on the alternator bearings but it mean I have had to re tighten it about a year after fitting.
 
Most Pandas don't have a tensioner. Only aircon models. Its only a short belt so needs to be fairly tight. I dont like it too tight as it puts strain on the alternator bearings but it mean I have had to re tighten it about a year after fitting.

Thanks for that. I'd not realised.
 
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