2013 BlueGT Steering light

[Poppypop8]

Hi all,
Few months ago steering light came on and lost power assisted steering. This corrected itself and went away.

Its now came back on and lost power assisted steering, tried resetting by disconnecting battery, reconnecting and then turning left to right a few times but no no luck.
Checked battery voltage 12.6v engine off and 13.5v running.
Connect my booster pack to start the car (just to see if it's voltage related) and light goes out but......
Something's not happy and is whining / screeching, sounds like alternator, disconnect booster pack and noise goes and light comes back on.

Any ideas??? Alternator or just a battery?

[RUM4MO]

Adding that charged up jump pack should have helped things a bit, and it seems to have helped to hold the supply voltage up a bit higher and so the steering system is now happy. As to why it annoyed the alternator in a way that looks like it increased the car's demand for current out of the alternator, which the increased noise would be, I can't say.

So, to make sure that you end up working out what is happening, start the car with the jump pack connected, then clip the voltmeter across the battery - then remove the jump pack - what is the voltage with and without the jump pack?

Also with the jump pack removed, after the engine has been started, switch on the headlights and the rear window heater, does the alternator now make that noise again and if so, with the engine held at 2000rpm, what is the voltage across the battery?

Other things to check, with the car in the same conditions as above, check the voltage from the battery -VE to the alternator body, also the battery +VE to the alternator O/P post - you will need to remove an insulating cover and take a lot of care not to short the +VE side to any metalwork.

[iichel]

Check the fuse (to the blue thick wire on top of the battery) for corrosion and hairline fracture.

[Poppypop8]

Thank you both, I will look at these points when I get home today.
I have the battery at work with me as I am charging it and checking the health of the battery (work chargers are great for this).
It does seem to be voltage related as when connected to booster pack the steering light goes out.
Also I don't think it's the steering pump as the car doesn't have any DTC error codes.

[amer6R]

If you have a multimeter, measure the voltage on the battery before you start the car. If your battery good should not be lower than 11V, and 14.2-14.5V when car running.

I would clean the main metalic fuse that is located on the battery as suggested. It gets dirty.

Mine pump died, the light came used to come in winter time. And it didn't throw any codes.

Anyways when I replaced it, there was water in it.
If you have vcds check the live value of the pump, it should not pull more than 10A while not moving the steering wheel. If it pulls ~30A, pump ON and you dont have steering assist .... It's kaput.

If your car doesnt have under belly protection get one.
If you can tie down the battery drain pipe away from the pump so it doesn' t soak the connectors. ( There is a great place for a zip tie on battery bracked holder)

Check fuses, clean them, check the sensors, check the ground on chassis near the pump. Check battery.

[Poppypop8]

Ok got home from work and connected the battery back up after a day on charge and charger states battery is 100%, reading 12.7V on multimeter.
Started car and with it running reading 14.6, doesn't really move when I put headlights on, heater and heated rear windscreen. Also voltage don't really move when RPM is increased.
Steering light still on, took it for a drive trying to reset the steering (left & right) and also forward @ 10-15mph in straight line. Still no joy.
Cleaned main metallic fuse (wasn't too dirty tbh) and checked for cracks / damage which there's nothing present.
Connected starting booster reads 18v (that's why the alternator doesn't like it.) Didn't run for too long else I will fry something. With the extra voltage though the steering light does go out but after turning off the booster it does throw the battery light on and TPMS on too.

Bloody raining now so can't get underneath to look at pump connection or earth. I am assuming that the pump is somewhere close to reservoir?
Also recently had H&R springs fitted could this be anything to do with it, throwing a sensor crazy or something?
I don't have VCDS so cannot check pump.

Any other ideas welcome.

[amer6R]

Remove the fog light cover and fog light on side where your battery sits you will be able to see the pump. Inspect the connectors on the pump. Maybe its not secured down properly, and some hole made a loose connection.
18V is bad for your ECU
If you read ~14.5 V without while the car is running and NO battery charger then your alternator is good and your pump should work.
If battery light doesnt go our after ~3-5 s after turning on the car you have an issue with battery.
If it reads ~14.5V while running alternator OK, battery not.
Battery is cheap get the ~70ah

[Poppypop8]

Cheers, will go out as soon as this crappy weather stops, where's the summer.

Yeah battery / alternator seems ok as it's charging at 14.6 when car is running.

Did you have to code the new pump in?

[amer6R]

You dont have to code a used pump, you have to code a new pump. But make sure that the pump is bad. How is your oil level in the pump?

[Poppypop8]

Oil level in reservoir is OK as checked this first, was hoping for a quick win.

[Poppypop8]

May I add I don't have no assist with the steering if that makes any difference.

[Poppypop8]

May I add I don't have no assist with the steering if that makes any difference.

[Poppypop8]

Ok had it scanned today, showing no faults.
Pump worked but was wining, could hear it over the engine.
Any advice for changing the pump or anything to look out for?

[amer6R]

Its normal to hear the pump when its coded to normal setting.

If i was you, and all checks out, fuses, steering sensor g250/g85 , all wires ok, battery ok and you again get the steering wheel light again I would replace the pump.

Its pretty common that these pumps die. Source the pump with the latest production date.

If you have the light, and you can have access the disgnostics just make sure you have reading from the angle sensor, pump is ON, and if it draws more that 10A and no steering assist replace pump. If the pump is OFF check the wires ( large fat ones)

99% time pump el. die.
If you decide for used pump, make sure that connector points arent damaged. Try sourcing the pump of newer production date. ( Less time exposed to elements) if you decide on used pump. )

Im always open to help if you can get readings from the pump. I had issues with mine also, you can find my topic maybe it can help you.

Dont worry if you loose steering assist, you can always get home.

[Poppypop8]

Cheers, I will search for your description

I have a snap on scanner that I've borrowed from a friend so just looking at all teh data.
It's saying "current for steering motor" 0 amps & "
Voltage at terminal 15 for control module (v) is 14.6v
Its sees the steering angle sensor as I can see the value move on the screen.