Power steering
- Thread starter TON160Y
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Currently reading:
Power steering
Start by looking under the bonnet
Is the fluid and the correct level?
Does it look like the belt is correctly attached to the pump?
Is the fluid and the correct level?
Does it look like the belt is correctly attached to the pump?
Hi, thanks for response. The MH is on a storage pitch with a portable 20watt solar panel, nearly, keeping it charged. It had 11.8 volts when I went down yesterday (it started ok) and 3 weeks ago it was 12.4 volts? Will check the fluid in next few days. Thanks
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11.8 volts is low for a 12v battery, around 25% state of charge. You shouldn't really allow it to drop below 12.0 volts as an absolute minimum, preferably 12.2 which is about 50%. Anything lower can cause irreversible damage especially if left for some time. A fully charged battery should be at around 12.6 volts or slightly higher.
A 20w solar panel is very unlikely to keep the starter battery charged over the winter months. You won't be getting anything near full capacity out of it, and what you do get will only be for a few hours each day with low winter sun. There are ECUs and other components on modern vehicles that still consume power even when the vehicle is not being used, so you probably need to give it a boost charge from a mains charger at least once a month.
Hi, Rs3100 thanks for info, I collected my MH tonight and it’s on charge at my address and the power steering warning light is not on now so I will fully charge the vehicle battery and then do so every 3-4 weeks.
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Sounds good
You might want to keep an eye on the battery condition fairly frequently for a month or so. That should give you an idea how often you might need to give it a boost charge.
I suggested once a month as a ball park figure, but it's impossible for me to suggest how quickly or otherwise it will lose charge, as it depends on too many factors. For instance, if you have an alarm and/or tracker fitted these will also be taking some power continuously.
Keep an eye on it for a month or so and you should have more of an idea how long you can safely leave it between charges.
Has it got Sargent charge unit under seat or in cupboard with a shut down button?If yes and it’s left on it drains vehicle battery 200 to 300 milli amps this won’t cause trouble if on hook up but if in storage for 2 -3 weeks will cause battery to go flat
After my problems with the drained battery it will not take a charge now and is still reading 11.8 after a day and a half. If I have a new battery fitted will any of the electrics on the MH be upset when disconnected and have to be reset?
Hi first how you charging it with small charger or hook up? If small charger are you on battery terminals or jumpstart position ? If you do replace it you’ll get battery detachment fault code stored in ecu but that no trouble apart from setting clock and date all ok but I recommend you get multi meter set on amps connect in series across disconnected neg lead and neg terminal make sure all ignition off and all powered down and leave shouldn’t be more than 0.06amp could take over 20mins for all ecus to sleep shut doors too all ok connect and start up should be charging at 14.4volt
Hello, your sage advice to check that the power-steering fluid's at the correct level raises the question, for me, as to how to determine the maximum level (given that one must not 'overfill'); i.e., I cannot determine whether or not my fluid is at the correct level because there's no 'maximum' indicator on the reservoir. I'd appreciate the benefit of your knowledge, please.
Crossingkeeper
Established member
PGH, your other posts indicate you own a 2009 2.3 X250; if so the power steering fluid level is not marked on the reservoir but on the dipstick attached to the filler cap.
the problem may be the battery has gone to low so wont take a charge from a battery charger best solution would be to jump charge it from another vehicle leave make sure the charging vehicle is charging by keeping the revs slightly high and run for about a half hour the receiving battery should accept the charge and should be showing above 12v then take it for a run to top up worth a try as against buying new battery £120 ?? good luck
I asked this question yesterday but since it's not shown up I expect I didn't complete the process.Power steering My question was to the effect that I cannot determine the maximum level for power-steering fluid, there being no mark on my reservoir. Are you able to advise me, please, on how to kn My question was to the effect that I cannot determine the maximum level for power-steering fluid, there being no mark on my reservoir. Are you able to advise me,ow how full the reservoir needs be - when is the fluid at maximum level, and when not?
Refreshing the site shows my follow-up question was superfluous. Thank you, Crossing keeper, for putting me in the picture.
