Random Power Steering Failure

[pauldellboy]

Hi all.

Filled up with fuel, started car, drove off and, have i 2 flat tyres? Power steering lamp on on dash. Pulled in and turned engine off. Restarted and fault cleared, been ok for 300-400 miles.

Is this just a totally random fault or is there something i need to be checking out please?

Thank you.

Paul.

[Das]

Check the power steering fluid level and the voltage across the battery with the engine running, should be 13.5-14.4v, is where i would start.

[scott_vectra]

http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?t=135030

[alcutler]

Check the power steering fluid level and the voltage across the battery with the engine running, should be 13.5-14.4v, is where i would start.

Agree with this I had similar with my 1.9 cdti (120) estate just returning home from a 100 mile no problem journey - stopped at a junction and warning light came on dash and lost power steering for a few seconds. Tried power steering fluid and connections to power steering pump as previously suggested - but in the end replaced the alternator and battery and never had problem since.
I changed the alternator first, ran a diagnostic check and found it was showing a fault on the charging system. Eventually replaced the battery and been fine since. Oddly enough the old battery was a Bosch 90 amp hour one - I replaced it with a genuine GM one for my vehicle and this is only rated at about 70 amp hour, so I assume there was a mismatch between the alternator and the battery that threw up that fault. The Bosch battery was put on another car I have and went through the last extreme winter without a problem.
Seems that the alternator / battery setup is quite sensitive on the Vectra and this can affect the power steering in the way you describe.
Good luck with it!

[pauldellboy]

Thanks chaps, i did check the level at the time and it was fine. I'll check the battery next.

Thank you.