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Power Steering failure |
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sharptooth
Club Member Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Status: Offline Points: 17 |
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Posted: 10 Aug 2013 at 7:18pm |
Upon starting a return journey home this morning, when I switched on the engine I noticed that I could barely move the steering wheel. An icon on the dashboard confirmed either 'Active steering defective' or 'Power-assisted steering failure' - I'm unsure which. I completed the return journey with some difficulty, the problem has not gone away.
Unfortunately I'm beginner at best when it comes to car maintenance, so with this in mind the only thing I thought I could check is the power steering fluid level. I think I checked the correct area, but I'm honestly not sure, however what I did check was empty (picture attached of the cap I checked). Did I check the correct place, is this even the right thing to check? If yes to the first two, what fluid should I use to refill? Many thanks in advance to anyone who even responds to this! PS car in question is a 130i. |
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Peter C
Club Member Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Location: North West Status: Offline Points: 192 |
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Only educated guess but I think that is the cooling system
If your engine bay looks anything like this the one in your photo is left of pic (right of car).
The power steering is right of pic (left side of car) in front of suspension tower with green ring.
I reckon the level should be checked with the engine is running - but there should be oil there when it is not running.
Cause of problem could be the belt driving the power steering pump but that is a guess because I do not know this engine set up.
Edited by Peter C - 10 Aug 2013 at 7:28pm |
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Peter Cheesbrough
F11 535D M Sport |
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sharptooth
Club Member Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Status: Offline Points: 17 |
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Hi Peter,
Yes looks like I was checking in the wrong place then (though slightly concerned that this was empty). I can't seem to find a cap that looks like the correct one. I've attached a photo of my engine compartment; unless it's under one of the plastic covers it's just not there. I checked under the covers in the top left and right corners of the photo, but no joy - an unusual looking cap under one with a lead coming from it, and a sealed white unit under the other. Could it be under the cover on the nearside right corner? |
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Peter C
Club Member Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Location: North West Status: Offline Points: 192 |
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1 series is not my area of knowledge. It may be you have electric assistance for your steering in which case there will not be any hydraulic fluid to check - The failure is probably going to need specialist attention.
Yes you are right to be worried about the water level being low. is there a level mark on the outside? I would fill it up to that when cold and then check it after a few days (when cold).
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Peter Cheesbrough
F11 535D M Sport |
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sharptooth
Club Member Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Status: Offline Points: 17 |
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I'm sure you're right about it being electric power steering, a forum post I found elsewhere suggests that this is a 'feature' of the 130i, plus when I looked at my photo again I saw a similar shaped bracket to yours that is unused - which in yours holds the PS fluid tank.
I'll call the dealership first thing Monday and get it booked in ASAP. Many thanks for your help Peter, I'll update the post when it's all rectified for anyone else's benefit. |
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sharptooth
Club Member Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Status: Offline Points: 17 |
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UPDATE
Managed to get the car into the dealer today, unfortunately the news is very bad - a broken steering rack. The service guy I'm dealing with has contacted BMW to see if they will cover the cost of replacement parts, given my car's low (33k) mileage and young (08) age. Fingers crossed BMW will be agreeable! |
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I_MNL
Club Member Joined: 02 Feb 2012 Location: Driving in car Status: Offline Points: 200 |
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when you removed the cap, was there a thin stick sticking out? If so, this shows the level of the coolant.
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And the name is Marie-Noëlle or nick name MNL! NOT Marie or Noëlle alone
Citizen of Earth...Explorer of Life! |
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Norrie
Club Member Joined: 15 Jul 2012 Status: Offline Points: 4047 |
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depends upon the age of the car, some newer BMWs no longer have the floating stick arrangement. This is the case in my E65.
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