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Power Steering


Weozy
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So, in guessing my motor has died or isn't functioning properly so have brought a replacement and plan to do it myself to cut costs as have quite a lot of time on my hands at the moment.

Could anybody point me in the direction of some sort of guide? Also has anybody tackled this before and can tell me how long in expecting to take doing it, anything I can seriously mess up or ruin?

Thanks in advance

- Will

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You've got a dual power steering system - hydraulic & electric.

The 3 modes of steering are controlled by the electric system:

- Comfort = Max electric

- Normal = 50% electric

- Sport = No electric

The hydraulic system maintains the same output regardless.

What makes you think the pump has failed?

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Well there is no sign of a fluid leak, nor has any of the fluid gone down. But there is a whirling noise happening when steering and the steering has gone rock solid! When I start the car it decides to work until I get close to full lock which I'm guessing is overheating the pump?

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That sounds quite similar to a common Punto problem - which had all-electric power steering, If the potentiometers on the column fail, it made the steering very heavy. But, the Focus has hydraulic too...

I'll be honest bud, I've not heard of any failed Focus pumps - certainly not a common problem lol

Have you tried it in each steering mode?

The Focus steering isn't exactly quiet anyway (always whines a little). It also does get louder at full lock.

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I've tried on Sport and Standard mode and the same symptoms on both. It's strange that the steering can feel normal but when I go full lock it goes rock solid. It's so strange. It never used to whine before and has only started since I've experience these problems. I'm baffled!

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I've tried on Sport and Standard mode and the same symptoms on both. It's strange that the steering can feel normal but when I go full lock it goes rock solid. It's so strange. It never used to whine before and has only started since I've experience these problems. I'm baffled!

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Mine does something similar. Feels a bit chunky normally but when at full lock there's a hissing/moaning sound from inside and outside the car. Only at full lock though. No loss of fluid and no funny smells or anything.

Sent from my iPhone 5s.

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Mine does something similar. Feels a bit chunky normally but when at full lock there's a hissing/moaning sound from inside and outside the car. Only at full lock though. No loss of fluid and no funny smells or anything.

Sent from my iPhone 5s.

Yeah the odd thing with mine is the fact that when the car does go to full lock the steering goes rock solid and stays like that until i periodically go out and keep checking it's gone back to normal.

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Have to say my 1.8 whine for the electric steering is pretty loud.I actually took it to an independent and he said its pretty normal but my steering hasn't got heavy thankfully . Did get worried when i saw something saying ford wanted £900 to change one though,but independent said if it did go would be £4-500 which is still a rip off for a small motor and plastic bottle imho.

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The whine is from the hydraulic pump - the extra resistance at full lock is heard by the pump straining. To shut it up, ease off by a degree or two on the wheel. It doesn't do any damage either way.

As for the sudden heavy feeling, I'm still not convinced it's your pump at fault. If it was, pretty sure you'd be struggling throughout the whole arc of movement.

Might be worth starting from the outside

- Check your tyres (pressure/tread wear)

- Suspension in good working order?

- Steering rack (track rod ends etc)

How long has it been doing this?

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Sean makes some very good points.Just adding something to his post,i had a new clutch fitted not long agon and getting a whine thats very similar until i depress the clutch then it goes . Some folk have said it could just be bedding in but others say maybe flywheel? But at first did feel it was an "Electrical" whine .

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The whine is from the hydraulic pump - the extra resistance at full lock is heard by the pump straining. To shut it up, ease off by a degree or two on the wheel. It doesn't do any damage either way.

As for the sudden heavy feeling, I'm still not convinced it's your pump at fault. If it was, pretty sure you'd be struggling throughout the whole arc of movement.

Might be worth starting from the outside

- Check your tyres (pressure/tread wear)

- Suspension in good working order?

- Steering rack (track rod ends etc)

How long has it been doing this?

It does struggle through the whole arc once it decides to stiffen up. It will do this until I shut off the engine and leave it for a while and then when I return to the car is softens up again. It's done it since the end of last week and haven't properly used it since as it isn't safe.

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I'll put up a video of the sound I was explaining later on, just to see if it's similar to what you're experiencing.

Sent from my iPhone 5s.

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Sounds pretty standard when on full lock mate . Mine is electric steering and whines most of the time but on full lock from what my old ears picked up i wouldnt be concerned going just by that sound.

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Sounds pretty standard when on full lock mate . Mine is electric steering and whines most of the time but on full lock from what my old ears picked up i wouldnt be concerned going just by that sound.

Aye it's never bothered me really as it only happens on full lock as you say. Just wondered if it was something else maybe.

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Hello everyone,

Thank you for all the input so far. Just come back from the local garage who did a fault code check, checked connections, battery and alternator etc.

I have a code that won't erase which is

C1956 - Steering Angle Sensor Fault.

C1099 - Can't remember what he said this was.

U1900 - Which he said is linked to the above.

The guy at the garage said that the Focus steering system has two sensors, one for the steering column and one for the rack and he seems to think it's for the steering column and that I'd have to replace the whole part rather than just a sensor.

Anybody shed some light onto this?

Thank you.

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Right...doing a little research and found a Ford workshop manual...

DTC C1099: Electronic power steering motor malfunction

Electro- hydraulic power steering (EHPS) control module.

CLEAR the DTCs. Drive the vehicle 30km (20 miles) or until the vehicle reaches normal operating temperature. REFER to WDS. If the DTC is present,

INSTALL a new power steering pump.

REFER to: Power Steering Pump - Vehicles With: Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS) (211-02 Power Steering, Removal and Installation).

REPEAT the self-test, CLEAR the DTCs.

DTC C1956: Steering angle sensor circuit failure

Circuit(s).

GO to Pinpoint Test E (Linky Linky)

DTC U1900: CAN communication bus fault

Powertrain control module(PCM).

Check the electronic engine controls. REFER to: Electronic Engine Controls - 1.6L Duratorq-TDCi (DV) Diesel (303-14 Electronic Engine Controls, Description and Operation) (And another Linky Linky)

And a link to the whole manual

It also appears that it is possible to just replace the sensor.

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Could you narrow that down so it doesn't seem to technical please :) I understood the odd word but most of it looked like Chinese to me!

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It's looking like the fault is with the electric steering motor. You MIGHT be able to swap the sensor, but it's looking like it'll be a new motor - good news is that it doesn't appear to need a whole column

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I brought a replacement motor but the garage seems to think it's not that and that is is a sensor on the column or rack.

Obviously I'm not sure if your background but how confident are you in thinking i could just be a motor and the sensor fault would simply disappear with a replacement.

The fault is reoccurring as in one moment my steering is rock solid and he next it feels fine. I'm not sure if a motor fault would cause it to permanently cause no power steering.

By motor you do mean the electric unit/pump underneath the reservoir right?

I'm baffled to be fair.

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I'm not sure where the electric motor is to be honest.

My background is very much DIY Enthusiast who knows how to use a spanner (it's like a hammer, but a bit rounded...right?)

As for previous history, I had a Mk2 Punto - cars which were renowned for dodgy steering columns. That and I'm stubborn enough to research the hell out of stuff lol

If you can, print off the 1st link and the "Pin Test E" (the "And another Linky Linky" above) and show them to your mechanic. They are from the Ford Workshop Manual. Whilst our mechanic ma have a copy, the advantage here is that the relevant sections are highlighted

Get him to do the test as described - that'll tell you whether you need a new sensor or a new motor (I'm also not sure if it's a combined electric and hydraulic unit, think it might be). Unlike the Punto, it appears the sensor is easily replaceable and should NOT require a whole new column. Unfortunately, I don't have access to Microcat to get you part numbers.

Pity you're not closer to me, I'd happily give you a hand.

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I went looking for the motor and on mine its below the driver side headlight as you say below the reservoir . Think its all one unit which comes complete.I could be wrong on that but i was checking on new motors and all seemed to come as a complete unit.Looks like a pain in the bum to get into change from the top,might be easier from underneath.

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Yeah the system is electro-hydraulic. I'm just waiting for the garage to get back to me regarding all of this because one of their mechanics is doing some research?

If I have a fault with the pump in not entirely sure why they are going to the extend of saying I require a steering column unless they think that the angle sensor is a fixed part to this.

I have a motor which I got second hand so that isn't a problem but as said, I'll see what the garage says.

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