Power Steering Problem

[Jayp91]

Hi all.

brought a 55 plate 1.6 tdcI mk 2 focus estate lx in July as my first car. it's been sitting on the driveway since then but have started it weekly and all has been well. until yesterday. started up fine but I have the power steering light coming up on the dash. but the power steering seems to be working fine (I have drove it around and my dad also). I have checked the tank under the drivers side headlight and it seems to have the right amount in. and there isn't any leakes under the car. was booked in for its mot Thursday but want to try and sort it myself before then. any ideas? thanks in advance

jay.

[dezwez]

try disconnecting the battery for 30 mins make sure you have your radio code before you do

[Jayp91]

okay. will try that now. thanks for quick response

[dezwez]

your welcome

[Jayp91]

no look unfortunately. anybody got any other ideas?

[simcor]

Power steering light? Do you mean a power steering warning on the LCD with either the yellow or red warning light to the side of the display?

The power steering is EHPAS on the 1.6. Electric hydraulic power assisted steering. If the fluid level is fine you need it on Ford IDS or Forscan with a modified ELM327 cable to see if there are any EHPAS error codes logged. As suggested though first try a battery disconnect first for 30 mins or more and see if it clears itself.

[Jayp91]

I get no warning on lcd. just have a yellow/orange steering wheel with exclamation mark. I tried leaving the battery disconnected for 40 mins but that didn't help. starting to think I'll have to let the garage sort it out

[simcor]

You do have a power steering issue then, does the steering feel heavier and with less power assistance? The handbook says you can continue to drive it but that the steering will require more effort and to get it booked in to be looked at. It needs checking on diagnostics to see if there are any EHPAS error codes logged as that will give a starting point.

But that message can also be caused due to module communication issues also, with various messages being shown on the LCD display or warning lights for other systems but usually you will experience more than one failure message. Just out of curiosity when the light is illuminated does the mileage on the dash show correctly or does it show dashes instead?

[Jayp91]

the steering still feels fine. like there's nothing wrong. the milage lcd is still as normal. thanks for your replies

[Jayp91]

It has been parked on a sloping down drive forwards since i brought it, could that have anything to do with it? Also would this light being on make it fail it's mot?