2004 Vectra Electro-hydraulic power a ssisted steering Warning Light on

[shiznit]

Just got home after a 2 hour motorway journey. Whilst reverse parking my 2004 Vectra 1.9 SXI CDTi the power steering became very stiff. I managed to park the car and then came inside. I have just been out to it to see if it was the same, and it was working fine when applying full opposite locks. Then I turned off the engine and tried again, the above mentioned light came on, and the car will not start, just a click from the ignition. The battery is fine, all lights, radio etc are working.

Can anyone shed some light on this before i have to shell out for recovery and garage costs. Don't know if this has any baring on the situation, but it was M.O.T'd last week and passed with only a tyre advisory.

Thank you very much in advance

[chas2008]

are you 100% sure the battery is ok ?, it takes far more power to start an engine than it does to run lights and radio.
I had a similiar issue with an astra van a weeks ago, lost steering etc. pulled over and it wouldnt restart, it turned out to be a failed alternator (no prior warning, apparently thats common on modern vehicles) so battery died.
Charged the battery to enable me to get to work, fitted new alternator problem solved...

[shiznit]

Hmmmmn, not 100%, it was pretty late last night and i just wanted to get to bed. Tried it again this morning, and its been a long time since I have had a dead battery, but it could be that. I was desperate to fill up on fuel, the yellow warning light was flashing, I have parked facing down hill and today there is no light on at all. Not sure if this is a contributing factor. Still got steering wheel light on though

[chas2008]

Just noticed its a CDTi, if its anything like my van it may well have an electric injection pump, so no battery = fuel to engine .
I would be inclined to charge the battery & see what happens...Like you a long time since i have a dead battery but it was caused by a dodgy alternator. Apparently ,and i have heard this from the AA & RAC an igintion light is just that on modern vehicles its no indication of wether its charging or not, hence why i got caught out( and i work in a garage)

[shiznit]

thanks chas, I was reminiscing with the guy who MOT's it last week about when you could service your own car. Gonna put some fuel in, stick the jumpers on it and see what happens.

Ill report back

[chas2008]

Leads may not be enough but worth a try.

[shiznit]

Ok, got the car started, but the wheel/exclamation mark light still on. Steering very stiff, and when trying to put full opposite locks on, the dashboard and head lights went out. Then different warning light came on, picture of a car with a spanner. This apparently is a fault in engine electronics or transmission
electronics????????.

[AlBags]

The power pump needs replacing and is draining .. and possible knackering the battery.
Common on BMW Minis and a few Fords (although on some Focus's, it can be burned terminals)
There are a few here ...
http://www.ebay.co.uk...at=See-All-Categories

[shiznit]

VX ON website tends to go with what chas was saying about it being the battery. Either way its looking expensive. The car won't start again so will have to get it towed

[SpikeyBush]

Alternator is a weak point on the cdti. Mine went at 193,000 on the M1 at Lisburn. The AA man was astounded, saying they only last about 70,000. Everything is electric on these, power steering, ABS, and in my case, the shift on the auto 'box too. All went, and cost me a lot to have fixed. £300 for a new alternator (none available at Halfords or scrapyards, had to go to a main dealer) and it took my mechanic a whole day to replace it. Wipers had to come out to gain access and in the process the wiper linkage fell apart (it had been broken a while by the looks of it, only held together by dirt). More expense and more time.

Have just heard that a generic alternator will shortly be available at Halfords. Hopefully this will last a bit longer.

[shiznit]

Mine has only done 67K. It has FSH from Vauxhall and this is the first thing to go wrong so I'm hoping it will not be too bad. New battery is looking at £65, and Ive found a reconditioned pump for £20 just down the road from me, so fingers crossed.

Thanks for all your answers, Ill let you know the outcome tomorrow

[chas2008]

yes battery flat ,but caused by possible faulty alternator, new battery will only be short term.............it still needs to charge.
The alternator for my van was £325+ vat from a dealer got one from a local factor for £85.00+vat, i seem to remember the Vectra alternators were like rocking horse p*o a while back, mega b/order with no non-genuine available,hopefully thats changed now.

[shiznit]

Got car to start again, drove it to Garage. It is the alternator, bugger!. Just waiting on a price now. Had a look online, ranges from £25 scrapper, £75 recon and £215 new

[AlBags]

So you had NO alternator warning/charging lamp at all?
Unusual .. but it is possible.

[shiznit]

Nothing at all, there have been no warnings the alternator was on its way out. It has always started first time, the light has never stayed on etc. The first sign was when the steering light came on the other night, and even then the alternator light never came on

[AlBags]

OK. Unusual .. The voltage regulator in Alternator provides the warning output. It must be destroyed.
If you have a local Automotive electrical place .. ask them if they can reco yours .. or provide a recon at a good price.

[shiznit]

Ha ha ha, albags the first part of your answer sounds like a line from a sc fi film, it MUST be destroyed. But seriously, I need the car back for Monday, so it will be the quickest option over cheapest today

[AlBags]

ha ha ha
Bit late now .. best try a local scrappie then : )

[shiznit]

Yeah, best bet, they never break down when you have time on your side, but who wants an easy life eh?

[shiznit]

Garage just rang, £160 for alternator, plus £ 70 labour plus VAT. He said that the lack of warning light was nothing to worry about, that they sometime use decide to stop working, and at the most inconvenient time.

Thanks for all your help everyone, we got there in the end