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Power Steering Fault
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Jas16   
Mon Nov 19 2018, 10:54pm
Joined: Feb 07 2017
Member No: #2994
Location: West London
 Hi All

My car is a 2.2hdi, manual. It has developed a Power Steering Fault all of a sudden. After I parked up the car, I went to use it after a few hours and then the message popped up on the screen. It has happened once in the past, but a simple switch off and restart cured that, now though it is a permanent fault every time I start the car even after a BSI reset.

Now the handbook doesn't cover the 2.2hdi model as I wanted to look for the fuses/relays related to the Power Steering Unit. However, unlike in the V6 versions, the unit is electronic and situated away from the engine and doesn't look belt driven.

Though when I connected up the Diagbox software and ran a diagnostics check, the software was not able to communicate with either the suspension system and the power steering unit, so don't know if these issues are related. Because of this, the software, nor any other bluetooth modules and software are able to pick up on any steering or suspension related faults.

Since the power steering unit is separate, I believe that the fluid needs changing and I was looking to use Dexron 3 fluid. Though the fluid level is consistent and within the min and max values.

I did want to depressurise the suspension to check the fluid level, but as mentioned, was not able to which I find strange as I haven't had any issues before.

Hence, my questions;
Is Dexron 3 ok for the Power Steering fluid?
Which/Where is the relay/fuse[s] located to check?

I can change the unit, I guess from a C5, but wanted to go through the easy checks first.

Thanks in advance for your help

Jas
verycleverman   
Mon Nov 19 2018, 11:52pm
Joined: Mar 08 2010
Member No: #65
Location: Northumberland
 I had problems with the electric power steering on my C5. Occasionally, after starting the engine, the message would come on the screen advising of a power steering fault and the steering wheel locked solid. Switching off the engine and restarting usually cleared the fault. What finally cured the problem was replacing the battery. If your battery is getting on a bit it might be worth a try.
MGmike   
Tue Nov 20 2018, 12:12pm
Joined: May 21 2017
Member No: #3151
Location: South Queensferry
 Don't use Dextron 3!
If the system is the same as the (later) C5's the fluid will be supplied from the same container as the suspension eg LDS.
as for teh location of the fuse and relay, my guess would be in the engine bay fuse box but I'm not 100% on that and which one is anyone's guess!

Best of luck
e3steve   
Tue Nov 20 2018, 12:47pm
Joined: Jan 21 2013
Member No: #1163
Location: Warsash, Hants & Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Jas16 wrote ...


Is Dexron 3 ok for the Power Steering fluid?

No! The suspension and the steering use the same synthetic fluid (Citroën LDS or Peugeot DA). In the V6s it’s the same, shared LDS reservoir.

Citroën: Liquide de Direction et Suspension
Peugeot: (Liquide) Direction Assistée
Jas16   
Tue Nov 20 2018, 09:02pm
Joined: Feb 07 2017
Member No: #2994
Location: West London
 ok thanks for advice, I have some LDS fluid around so can use that. Thank you. Restarting hasn't helped so far. I am hoping changing the fluid may help. I will keep all updated.

Doesn't help that the handbook doesn't cater the 2.2hdi.

I will do the change tomorrow and let all know what happens, fingers crossed

also the battery was only changed earlier this year, so doubtful, but I will check the voltage just in case.
arconell3   
Fri Nov 23 2018, 11:04pm
Joined: Jun 28 2012
Member No: #922
Location: Kalkar
 On the 2.2 the power steering is electrical, the pump, all electronics and LDS reservoir being combined into one unit, sitting on the front left (i.e. port)side under the bonnet.
Sometimes these units develop an internal leak, causing LDS to get into the electronics area. This results in an occasional power steering failure, occurring increasingly more often, until it stops working altogether.

I'm afraid the only remedy is a new power steering unit, which comes at some €800-€900 on the continent. On the up side: changing the unit is really easy and straightforward. (and that is not meant as a sick joke, it is true!)

Regards, Robert
Website
e3steve   
Sat Nov 24 2018, 03:38pm
Joined: Jan 21 2013
Member No: #1163
Location: Warsash, Hants & Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Jas16 wrote ...

ok thanks for advice, I have some LDS fluid around so can use that.
Do bear in mind that LDS is hygroscopic (it absorbs moisture), so a part-bottle that’s been open for a couple months should really be discarded...
Dan595   
Sun Nov 25 2018, 08:42pm
Joined: Nov 26 2010
Member No: #299
Location: Wiltshire
 Regarding the handbook, my 2.2 was supplied with a handbook that didn't cover 2.2 models. I did speak to the dealer and did eventually get a handbook that included 2.2 specifications. I'll try to look tomorrow to see if it mentions power steering.
Dan595   
Mon Nov 26 2018, 09:49am
Joined: Nov 26 2010
Member No: #299
Location: Wiltshire
 I checked the handbook and although the power steering pump/tank is highlighted on the diagram of the 2.2 engine it is not labelled and the manual refers you to a Citroen dealer.

There is also no mention of a power steering fuse, from which I infer that it is one of the maxi fuses hiding under the main fuse box.

The part code of this handbook is X6-GB-3007, Edition 06/2007. I would guess that most 2.2 manual C6 models were imported prior to it being available (mine was registered at the beginning of January 2007).
cruiserphil   
Mon Nov 26 2018, 10:39am

Joined: Jan 24 2010
Member No: #38
Location: Celbridge
 Hello Dan595,

My pal owns a MkII C5 and it developed power steering problems similar to what you described. It has an electric pump also and it turned out to be a bad connection on the fuse for the pump. Once located it was easily sorted. I'll try and check up where the fuse is located on the 2.2 C6.

Best regards,

Phil C.
Jas16   
Tue Nov 27 2018, 10:37pm
Joined: Feb 07 2017
Member No: #2994
Location: West London
 Thanks to all for your advice so far.

Update:

Hi I have changed the LDS fluid twice in the PS pump unit, approx 300ml each time and the steering is better but still inconsistent and the light still comes on, on start up every time. I have tried a "proper" BSI reset and car will go to a local garage i normally use. They also initially thought poor charging of the system is causing the fault, even though the pump may be ok.

Well Citroen want £1000 for the part with an unknown lead time. I have found a parts specialist in NL who can ship the OEM part for £660 [converted from Euros]

I did check the battery, newly installed 8 months ago. Reading was 12.3V on rest. Once the car was started, this read 14.3V. The fuses were checked and all were tested ok. Battery in the car at moment: Varta H3 100Ah 830A 12V

The fault finding continues...
e3steve   
Wed Nov 28 2018, 12:03pm
Joined: Jan 21 2013
Member No: #1163
Location: Warsash, Hants & Palma de Mallorca, Spain
 My outlaws had a PS problem with their Pug 206 which, incidentally, has a similar electric PS system (and uses LDS / Pug DA). I picked up a complete pump from a seller on eBay, for about £90.

Check it out, looking for a pump for a 2.2 Pug 407(?)...
cruiserphil   
Sat Dec 01 2018, 11:51am

Joined: Jan 24 2010
Member No: #38
Location: Celbridge
 Dan595,

I need your RPO number to pin down the correct drawings. I've sent you a PM.

Best regards,

Phil C.
MGmike   
Sat Dec 01 2018, 06:18pm
Joined: May 21 2017
Member No: #3151
Location: South Queensferry
 Dan595, I think I have a pump you can have (for a price )
I bought a suspension pump off an 07 C5 on eBay a couple of years back but the numptie clearly didn't know anything about Citroen's... didn't give me a refund either! It's been sitting in the garage every since.

Let me know if you're interested and I'll test it next Saturday before looking in to shipping costs.
Dan595   
Sun Dec 02 2018, 09:30am
Joined: Nov 26 2010
Member No: #299
Location: Wiltshire
 Thanks for the help but it's Jas16 who has the pump problem, not me! I just posted the info (or lack of) from the handbook for the 2.2.
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