Hi, My wife's Fiesta has developed a noise which at first I thought was a belt as it's a squealing noise. It happens at low speeds and when the car starts up when cold. When it's cruising along a motorway or dual carriageway the car is fine. 

We had a mechanic look at it today - after driving it he thought it was the power steering. The symptoms are the same as when the power steering fluid is low, but there is no power steering fluid on this model. He then thought it was the alternator not providing enough power to the power steering - but when he checked the voltage all was fine.

So he said it's either needs a firmware update (if one exists for the electrical power steering) or worst case scenario it will need a new steering rack. He's going to check with a friend who works for Ford.

I thought I'd ask this forum to see if anyone can help?

Thanks! 

Other than the noise, what are the symptoms?

Is it a bearing somewhere? Those can squeek less (or be noticed less) at higher speeds. 

i'm confused. the power steering on those fiestas is not in the rack i think. I think it is an electric on the steering column just below the ignition switch. assuming this is mk7 or mk7.5. so I don't see how replacing the rack could have anything to do with a squealing noise 

the mk6 /mk6.5 has belt driven hydraulic pump (with fluid) other than 1.6tdci which has an electric hydraulic pump (with fluid)

what model fiesta and what engine is it

 

Thanks for the replies - It's a 1.4 Zetec petrol, 5 door, 11 Reg 2011 (Makes it a Mk7). 

My mistake on the steering rack, the power steering is on the steering column which is what the mechanic said.

The noise does occur sometimes when the car is stationary and the steering wheel is moved. My wife says the noise is worse around 2000 revs and when she's just about to change gear. When she changes gear the noise goes and then reoccurs around 2000 revs. But like I said when the car is cruising, in 5th gear there is no noise. 

 

 

 

 

If its engine speed related its not your steering.

28 minutes ago, Jethro_Tull said:

If its engine speed related its not your steering.

But as I said it's also there when you start the car in the morning or just turn the steering wheel 

It won't be both - the steering and engine are mechanically isolated on these cars.

If it is genuinely engine speed dependant, I can not be the steering.

Conversely, turning the steering activates the PAS motor, which places electrical load on the engine, which will affect idle speed.

Does the car have aircon?  Has the clutch/pulley been examined?

I don't trust your mechanics diagnosis.  Form the information you give in the OP he seems to want to work by substitution of parts, rather then making an accurate diagnosis first.  We can't hear or drive the car ourselves, so long distance diagnosis is difficult at best. I would have the vehicle examined by an engineer who specialises in modern Fords, either dealer or an independent, because I'm not confident chap #1 sounds up to it.

 

On 7/1/2017 at 9:24 PM, skyking_comms said:

So he said it's either needs a firmware update (if one exists for the electrical power steering) or ...

 

It probably has a processor (with software that is err... firm) between the strain gauge and motor power controller but firmware does not wear out and an update can't fix broken hardware.

Consider going down the or... option

On ‎02‎/‎07‎/‎2017 at 8:40 PM, Jethro_Tull said:

It won't be both - the steering and engine are mechanically isolated on these cars.

If it is genuinely engine speed dependant, I can not be the steering.

Conversely, turning the steering activates the PAS motor, which places electrical load on the engine, which will affect idle speed.

Does the car have aircon?  Has the clutch/pulley been examined?

I don't trust your mechanics diagnosis.  Form the information you give in the OP he seems to want to work by substitution of parts, rather then making an accurate diagnosis first.  We can't hear or drive the car ourselves, so long distance diagnosis is difficult at best. I would have the vehicle examined by an engineer who specialises in modern Fords, either dealer or an independent, because I'm not confident chap #1 sounds up to it.

 

Took your advice and went to another mechanic - ended up being the water pump and he changed the cam belt at the same time. All sorted now :-)