GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Len on 07 July 2004, 14:00
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Power Steering packs up in wet.
Thought i had cured this by having the drive belt tensioned.
But it came back on way home from Brighton Sunday during heavy rain. It was a bit disconcerting to say the least - as i was blasting along dual carriageways then coming to roundabouts and finding that i had no steering - well had to work it really hard!
So is this one of those things or is the pump on its way out??
Or........
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What does it do? squeal?
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Nah just stops working - so you need to use your muscles to turn the wheel. Even then its really jerky!
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Hi Len405,
I'm not mechanically minded so dont claim to have the solution - but just talking to a guy here yesterday who coincidently had the same problem. The electrical cables apparently become porous over the years and so let in the moisture on damp and wet days. Therefore his power steering wouldnt work when it was wet or raining.
Cant be sure this is your problem too but hopeit helps?
Good luck!
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Sounds electrical to me , check for loose/dirty connections etc .
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Sorry guys - surely not electrical. I thought the pump was driven off the engine! In fact i'm bloody sure it is!
::)
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The pump is mechanical, run off the engine.
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I don't know how true this is, but I've heard water can splash up onto the belt...
It might be worth pulling over next time and having a peek.
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Think thats whats happening.
Gonna get a new drive belt fitted. If that cures it then fine, or it will tell me if its worse i.e the pump.
Good suggestion Overseer but dont always have two people in car when it happens. Need 2 coz one to look at belt to see if it jumps or slips and other to turn wheel. And its got to be heavy rain........
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This happens on my Mk3 GTi in really heavy rain too.
It also happens on my mate's Fiat Coupe in heavy rain.
It is due to water getting onto the belt and making it slip.
You could try a new belt to improve the tension, but I think it may just be a weakness.
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Yea what i'm beginning to think.
But if it is a weaknest then i'm surprised that more people havnt said they got it too.
Think i'll still get a new belt - coz having tightened it once then the belt may be getting past its life, rather replace than have it break on me.
Its fookin worrying when it happens coz there's no warning, ya just have to expect its gonna happen.
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Went to see my Mechanic mate lunchtime.
At first he says "Your're havin a laugh" and "F8ck Off"
So he aint heard of it before (Does loads VW work)
Gonna change the belt for me 2moro. So will have to wait for the next heavy rain after.
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Changed the belt - drove it in heavy rain.
No probs - all o.k.
;D
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cool! :) might be luck though..
i just remembered i did have this happen in my '96 polo once on a roundabout. and i know that when i bought the car the first thing i had changed was the power steering pump, and they put a new belt on at the time.
not sure where the belt is on the golf, prob not too different, but on my old polo the powersteering pump was right at the bottom at the front on the drivers side.. perfect posiition for water. if its in the same roughyl on the valver it wont happen because of that engine protection plate thingy (unless yours is missing? lol)
havent had it in my valver yet, but when i got it (last oct) i had the cambelt, tensioner, power steering belt etc etc all changed.. all good so far :)
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Yeah i still got the bottom cover, but that dont help just acts as a trap.
The old belt was badly worn, wasnt gripping by the toothed part of the belt, had sunk right down into the pulley V's.
Off to Cornwall for a long weekend (Thurs to Sun) so with this current weather i should get plenty of chance to check it!
Yea i was worried it was the pump as well, but seems o.k. atm.