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MG MGF Technical - steering suddenly heavy

Hey all,

My steering's suddenly gone quite heavy even at high speeds but i'm not sure at all why... obviously i'v checked the power steering and the lights not on and the fuse seems fine, but its not as heavy as when the power steering goes, more that it feels reluctant to turn quite as well... any idea's?

MGF 1998

Linzi
Linzi Smart

Is your speedometer working normally? If so, then you might also try a light abrasive clean of the contacts of the EPAS fuse and it's holder.
Has the car been revved in neutral recently such as for the MOT test? This would bring on failsafe mode which will clear itself with normal driving.
Charless

My speedo cable's just been changed, or the rear piece atleast... how would this effect effect my steering? or what could i do to rectify it? the speedo is not working fully at the moment, very jumpy needle if i'm travelling under 30mph.

Its not been revved recently no.

Thanks Charless =D
Linzi Smart

could this be the rear anti roll bar bushes that i already know need replacing??? i think its these that a sqeaking noise is coming from anyway.
Linzi Smart

Your speedo is driven by the gearbox, which output is also used to interpolate the degree of power assistance required from your EPAS (faster = less, slower = more assistance). Therein most probably lies the solution to your problem.
Charless

Tyre pressures?

(I'm a great believer in not overlooking the basics :))

Adam
A H Price

Linzi - Did the change in power steering coincide with the speedo cable change? As Charless said above, the degree of EPAS assistance required is higher at low speeds and lower at high speeds and is calculated based on a signal from the gearbox via the speedo cable. (If the speedo cable breaks the power steering will also stop working).

My money is on the replacement of the cable and your current problem being related. Similarly, I'd put money on it not being related in any way, shape or form to any issues with the rear anti roll bar bushes - or I'll eat my newly bought sun hat :o)
Mike Hall

Thanks guys.

Mike it did seem to start once the speedo cable was changed, so i'll certainly look into the EPAS cleaning. It seems that the power steering kicks in at low speeds but not at higher speeds, annoying to say the least as you'd expect the opposit.

i'll try replacing the whole cable, just incase that migh help too.

Mr Price, its def not my tyre's as they have been checked =D

Mike i did experience the power steering kicking out while the cable was broken, once i'd reached higher speeds, but pulling out the fuse and replacing seemed to sort it till the next phase of high speeds.
Linzi Smart

The power steering will not work at all if the speedo cable is broken. The electronics rely on getting a speed signal. If there isn't one, the unit is disabled. If your speedo is jumping about, then there is something wrong with the cable. The PAS won't know what to do as the signal is intermittent, so it will be on sometimes and off at other times. Get the speedo cable fixed and all will be well.

The other scenario that will switch off the PAS is if the engine is run at 3000 rpm or more for more than 30 seconds with the car not moving. This can happen during emissions testing at an MOT. Driving the car normally should make it come back by itself.
Mike Howlett

Linzi,

have a look here http://apttony.co.uk/ look for speedo cable in the index pane on the left hand side.
Jon Baker

This thread was discussed between 08/08/2010 and 10/08/2010

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