Hi,

I've got a 2007 HSE and it has just started doing something very strange... when I start the car (put the key fob in and press start button) engine fires up with no warnings. Sometimes I don't have power steering and the wheel is extremely stiff and sometime I do... either way there are no warnings on the dashboard.
The way I have been remedying it is to stop the engine and remove the key fob then go back through the process again. Unfortunately its started to get worse and I have to do this several times before the car decides to engage the power steering.
Is there a relay or solenoid which could cause this or is it a mechanical thing like a fan belt of some sort?
Any help or knowledge on the subject would be much appreciated before I head towards the expensive LR dealer help.

Last edited by Dougie Mac on 2nd Feb 2014 11:23 pm. Edited 1 time in total

I have had the power steer belt tensioner seize intermittently, this stops the belt and therefore stops the power steering.
Many have had the filter in the header tank block, this ruins the power steer pump, no pump no power steering.
Also "weld spatter" was found in some of the early (2007 - 2009) power steer racks, this ruined the filter pumps and steering racks, many were replaced FOC by LR, even those well out of warranty received payment towards the necessary repairs.

I think it's a purely mechanical system, so in theory if the engine is running you have power steering. Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

Thanks Andy!
I'll have a look this evening when my wife brings the car back and see if i can find the belt and see if its moving when the fault is live. I've had the fluid changed recently on a major service so I'm hoping the filter was checked/changed then but i'll look at that too.

Thinking out loud, if its geting worse, which it is, (five attempts to get the pump running this morning) then it sounds like it could be the tensioner slowly giving up the ghost.

Any one else???

Here's a component layout to give you an idea where it's location is, but the 'accessory' belt drive other things so if the tensioner is at fault I would have expected different symptoms in other areas.

Thanks EYorkshire!

Ah right so its one belt for everything and if the belt wasn't tensioned/moving I would be likely to see the alternator light coming on... Maybe its the pump then if its purely mechanical. Is there a mechanism/clutch which disengages the pump to allow the engine to turn over for engining starting without the resistance of the pump then once it detects charging or something engages the pump?

I ultimately experienced the same symptoms having initially replaced the reservoir/filter and the fluid. I ended up replacing the rack and the pump (pump turned out to be OK ). Another member managed to flush their system with a specialist PAS flushing fluid to successfully restore power steering so that may be worth a try. However, I doubt a flush would remove the swarf that causes the problem, so it may only be a temporary fix but may be just good enough and save a lot of money.

Good luck. - 2007(57) XS Auto, Rimini Red, Alpaca Leather.
- GCS Hawke - Sports, BRG, Vulcan 2.1 inj'. My toy - built it myself in 2001.

Ouch pump and rack. How much am I looking at for either including fitting etc..?

Just phoned a garage and they said could be a number of things but there is an electronic valve in the rack which might be the cause and if it was that would mean a new rack...

To check what the cost would be I've phoned a known good independant LR garage...
New rack and fitting £830 vat inc
Pump and fitting £430 vat inc



Anyone know if these prices are the normal/good/expensive???

When mine failed I didn't notice the charging light come on, or any warning from the info system, so the belt must have been running fast enough for the alternator, but not fast enough for the steering pump. Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

Sounds pretty expensive

Which Indy was it, out of interest? PM me if you would prefer

New rack fitted by my local friendly independent for £450 including the rack which I sourced at just over £300. The pump was £105 off ebay and fitted myself after wrestling with the belt tensioner without the right tool, which is not easy IMHO. £830 sounds steep but I found the price of racks varied greatly. - 2007(57) XS Auto, Rimini Red, Alpaca Leather.
- GCS Hawke - Sports, BRG, Vulcan 2.1 inj'. My toy - built it myself in 2001.

Thanks.

I'll phone around a bit more then and see what other Independant garages quote and for fun a LR dealership!

Dougie Mac wrote:

Hi,

I've got a 2007 HSE and it has just started doing something very strange... when I start the car (put the key fob in and press start button) engine fires up with no warnings. Sometimes I don't have power steering and the wheel is extremely stiff and sometime I do... either way there are no warnings on the dashboard.
The way I have been remedying it is to stop the engine and remove the key fob then go back through the process again. Unfortunately its started to get worse and I have to do this several times before the car decides to engage the power steering.
Is there a relay or solenoid which could cause this or is it a mechanical thing like a fan belt of some sort?
Any help or knowledge on the subject would be much appreciated before I head towards the expensive LR dealer help.

have a look at my posts,
 2014 Audi A4 Avant - Dont like it !
08 FL2 HSE AUTO, LOVE IT.
1999 ASTRA VAN,HAD IT FROM NEW.
KAWASAKI KH 250 B4.

Thanks all.

A small update - checked the pump pulley when the power steering was not working but the engine was running - it was turning freely and the belt was not slipping so I dont think its a belt tensioner issue.

Flushing the system on Thu so will let you know how that goes.

Failing that getting ready to call in the mechanics for a pump and reservoir or steering rack, hopefully not all three!

Thanks to all who gave me advice and to Mikey for the PM & quote.