C5 Power Steering

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BaldEagle
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C5 Power Steering

Post by BaldEagle »

At 06.00 yesterday I tried to move my C5 off the drive but it was impossible to turn the steering wheel. Used my wife's car and when I returned in the evening tried it again and it was fine. Only difference was -7c in the morning against -2c later.
Same thing this morning, except this time the dashboard display warned me of a power steering fault. Again used the other car. Came back lunchtime and tried again - no change. Tried raising and lowering the suspension which worked fine.

Called the RAC who responded within the hour. RAC man started it up - perfect! His suggestion was that now it was operative I took it to my garage and left it there so they could try it first thing in the morning in case it was cold related in some way. This I've done.

Anyone got any ideas? I can't see that the cold should affect it. -7c might be pretty cold for Hertfordshire but compared with other markets that Citroen supply it's nothing. Does the fluid degrade over time? I have a feeling we're going to end up changing the fluid just because we can't think of anything else to try.

JC
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oneday
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Re: C5 Power Steering

Post by oneday »

might be your steering pump on its way out
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Re: C5 Power Steering

Post by Citroenmad »

Our C5 estate had this problem, on our car it was developing a weak battery and under cold conditions it would not offer power steering. We changed the battery two years ago and it's been fine since. Get your battery checked, even if it appears to start fine. C5s are particular about their battery quality
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BaldEagle
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Re: C5 Power Steering

Post by BaldEagle »

Thanks, citroenmad. Asked the garage to check the battery and they have confirmed it was on its way out. New battery being fitted so fingers crossed!
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Re: C5 Power Steering

Post by Citroenmad »

Great stuff, I hope that has done the trick? :)
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Re: C5 Power Steering

Post by Lighty »

Yea , almost certainly battery, had that one before :)
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BaldEagle
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Re: C5 Power Steering

Post by BaldEagle »

Well it's certainly turning over a lot more strongly and starting up quicker. Weather has turned mild now so won't know if it works until the next cold snap.
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Re: C5 Power Steering

Post by triumphtoledo »

Mine was doing this too; it was the battery.
Put a new one on last month and it started fine at -7c. Noticed the cranking was much quicker and strange post-starting happenings (Power Steering fault, CD player starting up and ABS/ESR faults) vanished.

While I waited for my new battery to turn up; i would start the car and, if it had no power steering, let it tick over for five minutes, turn it off and restart. The PAs tended to come back then.

Suggest you get a decent new battery fitted before any other wierd goings-on appear.

R
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