Power steering failure

[Gibbo2286]

Tell us more about the car, someone here might gamble on fixing it up if it's not too knocked about or high miles.

[Natasha_Young]

51,000 miles, 2010 plate, very good condition. Was working perfectly before this problem arose!

[Paul-R]

Did they say exactly what the problem with the steering rack was? I suspect the motor rather than the rack itself.

[Paul-R]

I can't remember whether you've said or not but is it petrol or diesel? Which type of engine?

[Natasha_Young]

The fault code was P0606 so I think that’s steering rack ECU. It’s a 1.4 petrol.

[Gibbo2286]

Too good to scrap, what you need is a competent independent mechanic.

[GiveMeABreak]

I know, they are extortionate new! But you could consider getting a refurbished rack and having a local indy garage fit it for you or a second hand one - there are plenty here:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from ... k&_sacat=0

You'll need the right part number though, so pop your VIN up and I can probably point you to the right ones - but might be worth ringing round your local indy garage for a quote to fit only. Just make sure you tell them it's an electronic steering rack - so no hydraulics, pipes or seals to sort.

Would seem a shame to scrap it if you could get it sorted for £500 or less.

[Natasha_Young]

Thanks, the VIN is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

[GiveMeABreak]

P0606 is a fault with the Power Steering ECU. In some cases it (after fault finding) it can be a matter of a software download to the ECU - but in other cases not.

Suspected causes: Battery, Electrical harnesses, Connectors, or the Electric power steering ECU itself.

As for the Steering Rack, just to be awkward there are several possibilities:

1627704080 for version with a DERATED Steel Subframe
1627704280 for version with Steel Subframe

So you would need to clarify with any part supplier which one you need as Citroen list both possibilities.

But you have a DS 3 3 DOOR SALOON 1.4 VTi 16v 95 Manual gearbox 5 with EP3C engine.
RPO (Build date) code is 12287 which is 30th June 2010. So this may help tie it down on their systems.

[Natasha_Young]

Thanks for your help. Citroen also identified a fault with the alternator, but the technician advised me that he didn’t think they were linked and to fix the steering issue first. My concern is that I don’t want to spend money fixing the steering rack, only to find the fault still exists because it was actually due to the alternator...

[GiveMeABreak]

I understand completely. The car is coming on for 11 years old now so will inevitably start having issues with components like the alternator. At least you don't have STOP START technology on your DS3 - as those alternators can be quite pricey. A new alternator for your DS3 can be had from Mister Auto (Owned by PSA) for about £250 including shipping - so that may help you in your decision.

https://www.mister-auto.co.uk/alternato ... 2010-2015/

[Natasha_Young]

Thanks. Do you think it’s best to fix the alternator first and see if that fixes the steering rack issue? Or is it likely that they are 2 separate faults?

[GiveMeABreak]

This I can't answer on a Forum as you can appreciate, but the electric Power Steering systems are connected directly to the battery and of course trhe battery is charged by the alternator. Insufficient current of course can affect the performance of the power steering, which would give you some indication of perhaps intermittent assistance. But if the power steering is simply not working, then it may be a cut to the electrical harness / wiring or the connectors ot the ECU itself, as per the fault code info I supplied.

If Citroen have diagnosed it as the rack then that may well be the case. There may be a fault with the alternator separately, but that shouldn't immediately affect the power steering as it will continue to run as long as there is sufficient current from the battery - until that starts running down of course if the alternator was not charging it.

[Natasha_Young]

Understood, thanks. What makes me think there could be a link is that upon starting the car (after left overnight) the power steering doesn’t work, however if I rev the engine and then restart, the power steering light goes off and everything works perfectly until it is next left for a number of hours without starting. Just trying to decide which part to replace first...

[GiveMeABreak]

Mmm... so if the PS is working once the car is running and continues to do so, it would seem on the face of it to be an ECU problem, but more of a power supply problem / electrical connection / connector / intermittent issue. If the ECU was shot I would expect the fault to be there more of the time and moreso when the car was running - but as you say if it works perfectly when the car is running - I'm more inclined to think electrical.

My first stop would be a good examination of the electrical harness / wiring and connectors to the ECU on top of the rack through to the battery / alternator. Are you having any other electrical issues with equipment in the car? Do all the other electrical systems function correctly when the power steering does not operate?

Perhaps an auto electrician would be the first place to start as they may be able to test the circuit and the circumstances when it is and is not working and throw a bit more light on the matter.