Help! Power Steering failed + strange warning lights

sybaris · Jan 2nd, 2008, 11:47

I was happily driving along when suddenly the car started steering like a tank and the following warning lights are now on:

Brake circuit failure
Battery Charge failure
brake bulb failure
Parking break engaged (its not!)

I have managed to wrestle the car the short distance back home. The engine is working fine as are most of the electrical components. The only thing clearly not working is the power steering.

Is it a major electrical fault or a fuse blown or what?

EDIT: oh sorry its a S40 (1996)

CTCNetwork · Jan 2nd, 2008, 12:05

Hi,

Any strange noises from the engine?
Have you checked the belts?
Have you checked the PS fluid level?
Checked the Brake Fluid level?
Any apparent leaks or visible signs of leaks?

May help to get your codes read too. Need to be a dealer or good Volvo independent..

Welcome to the forums and I hope you enjoy your time here..

Des. . .

sybaris · Jan 2nd, 2008, 12:53

Thanks for the response, Des.

Brake fluid levels were fine and no apparent leeks. There has been a slight whining sound recently when accelerating. Not sure what belts I should be checking.

I checked the PS levels. They were low (on min) and I topped these up. No miraculous improvement though.

Thinking back, the power steering has been a little light to the touch on a couple of occasions recently. Not sure if this is related.

Should I take it to a dealer or is there something else I can check myself first?

sybaris · Jan 2nd, 2008, 13:26

Oh, the belt has slipped off - the one around the PS pump and the alternator which explains both problems.

The belt appears to be intact, its in one piece in any case...

Is this something I can refit myself or should I have the belt replaced and done at the dealers. The manual says leave it to them.

4 forty · Jan 2nd, 2008, 13:37

if the belt is undamaged,i would be looking at a new belt tensioner, as this could have been the reason for the belt coming off in the first place. renew the belt as well to be on the safe side.

somtimes when this occurs, it jams in the timing belt, you are fortunate this did not happen.

paul

sybaris · Jan 2nd, 2008, 15:24

Yep it was the tensioner at fault.

Thanks for the help everyone. Case closed!

CTCNetwork · Jan 2nd, 2008, 18:01

Hi,

Good to hear that is sorted without too much bother..

Des. . .

Jan 2nd, 2008, 11:47	#1
sybaris New Member Last Online: Jan 2nd, 2008 15:26 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Melton	Help! Power Steering failed + strange warning lights I was happily driving along when suddenly the car started steering like a tank and the following warning lights are now on: Brake circuit failure Battery Charge failure brake bulb failure Parking break engaged (its not!) I have managed to wrestle the car the short distance back home. The engine is working fine as are most of the electrical components. The only thing clearly not working is the power steering. Is it a major electrical fault or a fuse blown or what? EDIT: oh sorry its a S40 (1996)

Jan 2nd, 2008, 12:05	#2
CTCNetwork Forum Support Team Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Liège, Belgium View Photos By: CTCNetwork	Hi, Any strange noises from the engine? Have you checked the belts? Have you checked the PS fluid level? Checked the Brake Fluid level? Any apparent leaks or visible signs of leaks? May help to get your codes read too. Need to be a dealer or good Volvo independent.. Welcome to the forums and I hope you enjoy your time here.. Des. . . __________________ Density:- Not just a measurement ~ It's a whole way of Life.! ! ! I drive a Volvo, Please Don't Get In My Way! OldVolvos4Ever He shows up. People die. He vanishes. People should not be afraid of their governments. "He'll deliver more justice in a weekend than 10 years of your Governments should be afraid of their people... "V" courts & tribunals. Just stay out of his way." "I plan to."

Jan 2nd, 2008, 13:37	#5
4 forty VOC Member Last Online: Aug 12th, 2015 14:44 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: sunderland	tensioner if the belt is undamaged,i would be looking at a new belt tensioner, as this could have been the reason for the belt coming off in the first place. renew the belt as well to be on the safe side. somtimes when this occurs, it jams in the timing belt, you are fortunate this did not happen. paul

Jan 2nd, 2008, 18:01	#7
CTCNetwork Forum Support Team Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Liège, Belgium View Photos By: CTCNetwork	Hi, Good to hear that is sorted without too much bother.. Des. . . __________________ Density:- Not just a measurement ~ It's a whole way of Life.! ! ! I drive a Volvo, Please Don't Get In My Way! OldVolvos4Ever He shows up. People die. He vanishes. People should not be afraid of their governments. "He'll deliver more justice in a weekend than 10 years of your Governments should be afraid of their people... "V" courts & tribunals. Just stay out of his way." "I plan to."

Jan 2nd, 2008, 12:53	#3
sybaris New Member Last Online: Jan 2nd, 2008 15:26 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Melton	Thanks for the response, Des. Brake fluid levels were fine and no apparent leeks. There has been a slight whining sound recently when accelerating. Not sure what belts I should be checking. I checked the PS levels. They were low (on min) and I topped these up. No miraculous improvement though. Thinking back, the power steering has been a little light to the touch on a couple of occasions recently. Not sure if this is related. Should I take it to a dealer or is there something else I can check myself first?

Jan 2nd, 2008, 13:26	#4
sybaris New Member Last Online: Jan 2nd, 2008 15:26 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Melton	Oh, the belt has slipped off - the one around the PS pump and the alternator which explains both problems. The belt appears to be intact, its in one piece in any case... Is this something I can refit myself or should I have the belt replaced and done at the dealers. The manual says leave it to them.

Jan 2nd, 2008, 15:24	#6
sybaris New Member Last Online: Jan 2nd, 2008 15:26 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Melton	Yep it was the tensioner at fault. Thanks for the help everyone. Case closed!

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