Intermittent Power Steering problem

**Marky P** · 26th December 2009, 15:15

Hi,

I have a 2005 Vectra 1.9 CD-i and a couple of weeks ago the power steering packed up and a warning light came up on the dashboard. I switched the engine off and back on again but no change. After a couple of days it started working again. Then stopped again a few days later. I checked the fluid levl and it's fine. Also I disconnected the pump and reconnected it to clean the connectors but to no avail. I had my mechanic put the laptop on it and the result was 'cam bus no communication'. His laptop also came up with other faults that i didn't know existed. Is there a wiring fault or is the power steering pump on the way out?

**vectra3.2dave** · 27th December 2009, 11:31

any tc lights or anything? looks like it may be the CIM (column intergrated module) on its way out

**Marky P** · 29th December 2009, 13:47

There's a light on the dash (steering wheel & exlamation mark). Got it booked in at vauxhall dealer tomorrow.

**ServerKing** · 19th January 2010, 17:25

How did you get on with the steering fault?

The dealer told me when I took my Vec in that the ECU (£540 ex vat and labour) would have to be replaced, and the alternator (£245 ex vat and labour) would need replacing as the low charge was affecting the ECU and the steering. Hmmm... the battery still retained it's charge and never died

In the end due to the high running costs, I had to get rid of it. My steering wouldn't communicate with the ECU either, that's a classic symptom. My independent mechanic told me that when a steering pump fails, it fails completely, it never springs back into life.
This one had him stumped as well. It all points to a serious electrical failure, and this intermittent fault will never go away.

All the dealer will do is Tech2 it and say they can't fix it, it's sod's law that the car will behave itself on the day