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MG MGF Technical - power steering

I recently bought a T99 reg MGF vvc. Just recently the power steering has been playing up. I can hear a click from behind the dashboard when I turn the ignition and the power steering works, it's when I don't hear a click that it doesn't work. It sounds like a relay but I'm told it's an ECU or something. Sometimes it clicks on or off during travel and sometimes it goes mental and clicks repetively. I can get it diagnosed for £56 + vat, but if anyone has any free ideas I'm open to them!
mike smith

Mike,

ECU's are constructed of IC chips, small capacitors, resistors, diodes, etc, etc.
They don't usually "click".

Most likely it will be a relay clicking.

If you find the rouge relay, you can take it out, take the palstic cover of, clean the contacts with a strip of very, very fine emery paper.

Put it all back and see how it goes.

Anyway , worth a try.

Branko.
Branko

It will be the ECU disarming the power steering, if the ECU doesn't understand anything then it powers off so you get big arm muscles rather than driven off the road.

Switching on and off uring the trip is usually a sign that all is not well with the speedo or rev counter input. Switching off untill you switch off the ignition and then back on again is usually a sign that the ECU is upset with the torque sensor info.
Will Munns

No arguments with any of the above, but the first thing is to check all the contacts between the wiring loom and the ECU. Use some spray on contact cleaner - and if the problem persists, then I'm afraid that the problem probably lies in the direction that Will alludes to.
Rob Bell

Where abouts can I find the offending relay? The clicking seems to be coming from behind the glove box. Also I'm told the electric pump is at the bottom of the steering column, is it inside or outside the cab? I'm a bit reluctant to pay for a diagnostic if it turns out just to be a bad earth or something. I can't even get an owners manual (like the Haynes type) to find out where to look!
mike smith

http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/DIY/epas/epas_bypass.htm

For some pictures of my fine handywork

The motor and clutch is just above your feet, quite obvious.
Will Munns

The realy is internal to the EPAS box of tricks.
Will Munns

This thread was discussed on 15/02/2005

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