General Power Steering Warning Light

[CraigUK74]

Good morning, so this morning the missus calls me and said the Power steering light come on when she was parking (Steering real stiff) this happens maybe every 5 weeks and clears by turning car off / on.


Turned car off / on and it cleared happy days, i've been searching the forum and most people saying its the battery. I borrowed a load tester and popped it on the battery which is a 4 amp or mah cant remember but it gave a reading of 3.56.

Starts first turn of the key, maybe worth saying the car hasnt been used for a few weeks as shes been sick with this virus going about. So last weekend i checked the battery it gave a Amber LED guess that means its hald flat, so i left it running for 30 mins while i washed it (No warning lights) all good.

She used it all week no problems until today. I 'm going to check the earth straps and battery connections when she returns home and pop a multimeter to check im getting 14v+ while idle.

The car only dose a 10 minute drive each day 10 mins to work and 10 mins back, and today it was chilly when she went out.

I'll put it on charge when she gets home, any sugestions guys. Is it worth booking it in for a diagnostic or is anybody near Erith in Kent who could run a diagnostic. I have a basic code reader that turns off the engine managment light on the Ford KA.

Thanks all for looking and any advice given.

 

[portland_bill]

Typical symptom of low battery power. The steering demands big currents, and will be the first thing to highlight a failing battery.
The rest of your story reinforces this.
In normal use, just 10 minutes a day each way is only just keeping on top of the battery charge.

Quite likely the battery is just feeling sad and neglected. Charge it up and it should be fine. If not goiing to be used regularly, it will need charging every 2-3 weeks to keep it happy. A battery left in a low state will have a significantly shorter life.

 

[CraigUK74]

Cheers for the info, I'm going to check alternator with multimeter and earth straps etc when she gets home and pop her on charge. The car only dose 7 miles per day Monday to Friday and parked over the weekend. Thanks again [emoji106] appreciate it.

Typical symptom of low battery power. The steering demands big currents, and will be the first thing to highlight a failing battery.
The rest of your story reinforces this.
In normal use, just 10 minutes a day each way is only just keeping on top of the battery charge.

Quite likely the battery is just feeling sad and neglected. Charge it up and it should be fine. If not goiing to be used regularly, it will need charging every 2-3 weeks to keep it happy. A battery left in a low state will have a significantly shorter life.

 

[John202020]

If the battery is over 4 years old replace it, is it a SS car or non SS?

 

[CraigUK74]

Thanks John, it's non SS 1.4 lounge 09 plate [emoji106]

If the battery is over 4 years old replace it, is it a SS car or non SS?

 

[John202020]

Thanks John, it's non SS 1.4 lounge 09 plate [emoji106]

Our 09 1.2 ,Varta B36 cost £53 delivered look up the right one and look on EBay, often the same seller offers free postage and same price vs their own site plus postage.

 

[CraigUK74]

Brilliant thanks, just seen this on Eurocarparts website half price under 40 quid, any good?

Our 09 1.2 ,Varta B36 cost £53 delivered look up the right one and look on EBay, often the same seller offers free postage and same price vs their own site plus postage.

 

[portland_bill]

Just before Easter I needed a battery, struggled with the Euro site, struggled more with their 'Chat' system. Gave up and found these guys:https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/types/012/
Have seen them mentioned on here somewhere before.
Found a higher spec, same size battery at cheaper price. Despite being the Thursday before Easter, it ws delivered on Good Friday. Very pleased.

 

[John202020]

Personally I'd go for a big brand it's cheap for a reason the one i listed above is 44Ah and 420cca 4yr warranty

 

[Piccolo Nero e Bella]

I would concur - it's not worth skimping where batteries or tyres are concerned.

 

[CraigUK74]

Thanks for the information, yeah think I'll go with the Varta, got the old one on charge now for a few hours. Sound advice [emoji106]

Personally I'd go for a big brand it's cheap for a reason the one i listed above is 44Ah and 420cca 4yr warranty

 

[CraigUK74]

Very true [emoji106] thanks for the advise mate.

I would concur - it's not worth skimping where batteries or tyres are concerned.

 

[CraigUK74]

Took some pics of the battery, from what I have learnt on here this one is rather naff I'm guessing lol.

 

[John202020]

Wow that's low even when new?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Varta-B3...888320&hash=item3ad9a1d009:g:wEEAAOSwK1Zdb9j9

 

[chris3234]

Avoid lion battery's like the plague or well coronovirus
They renown for failing without warning after a few years

 

[CraigUK74]

Bargain, happy days. Thanks John and everyone else for your sound advice. So the conclusion is the naff battery causing the error.

Wow that's low even when new?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Varta-B3...888320&hash=item3ad9a1d009:g:wEEAAOSwK1Zdb9j9

 

[CraigUK74]

Thanks for the advice Chris [emoji106]

Avoid lion battery's like the plague or well coronovirus
They renown for failing without warning after a few years

 

[Texas149]

+1 on a iffy battery first showing up via the 'Have Power Steering Checked' warning light coming up on a first start after a while of non use.
Been there,done that.....first started looking into fact that power steering ( Electric powered) system might actually be faulty but after doing some homework it boils down to the fact that the battery did not provide the full power demanded by the power steering as this was after the battery ( not 100% healthy) has just output a large amount of current to start the car! If battery is not completely shot then yes turning off and back on again usually loses the steering 'fault'.
A replacement battery ( Duracell DA42) cured it!

 

[John202020]

Avoid lion battery's like the plague
They renown for failing without warning after a few years

Our Exide battery failed just as you describe started fine went to shops 5 mins later stranded.