Have I broken my car? Changing steering wheel, now car lacks power, in all gears

[DankART]

Ok, so it may not, and probably isn’t related - but I thought I’d give the full picture in case some one links what I did to the end result

changed steering wheel, disconnected battery, the wire for the airbag would not budge, and broke when I tried to force it, not good…. So it all unwound, copper wire, still attached to a bit of plastic, other two plugs seemed ok, didn’t break them

fitted new wheel, tucked wires in the central column - now should I complete these circuits, ie. attach so,eating to the ends of them, does the fact they are just loose cause issues with the cars electrics?

when I then took the car for a test spin, not only was the wheel not centred, ha ha ha, my fault, it then started to develop an issue

loud clunk under car, back left, then in every gear It would not accelerate above maybe 3k rpm, it would accelerate, then nothing, I’d change gear and the car would accelerate in that gear to 3k, then nothing, limped it home, parked it up….

mightily peed off, any ideas what this is, did my messing with the battery and steering column wires do this?

clearluv you can see I am no mechanic… 😂

really wanted a track day when I get back from Italy, and now looks unlikley, unless it’s an easy fix

could it be MAF sensor ?

thanks

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

could it be MAF sensor

Not if it's a 172/182 as they ain't got one

 

[Robbie Corbett]

There is a chance ABS/Stability thinks the wheel is turned.

If it thinks the wheel is turned but the yaw sensor etc is saying car is going straight it will be having a melt down tyring to correct for the terminal understeer it thinks is going on. I would be looking at the steering angle sensor if it were mine.

Is this a 182?

Have a watch of this:

 

[DankART]

It’s a 182 cup - I don’t have terminal under steer ? The off centre steering wheel is me not centring wheel correctly I am guessing - the issue Is the car loosing power in all gears over 3k rpm - as well as most lights on the dash now - certainly abs/airbag and a couple others are on - any ideas what’s causing this lack of power !?

 

[Daz...]

All of those on at the same time could mean an earthing issue.

 

[DankART]

All of those on at the same time could mean an earthing issue.

Ah ok - so what would I need to do - the loose wires in the steering column causing the issues ?

 

[Robbie Corbett]

It’s a 182 cup - I don’t have terminal under steer ? The off centre steering wheel is me not centring wheel correctly I am guessing - the issue Is the car loosing power in all gears over 3k rpm - as well as most lights on the dash now - certainly abs/airbag and a couple others are on - any ideas what’s causing this lack of power !?

I know you don't.

Not sure about the cup but my 182 has electronic stability control (ESP).

The ESP has steering angle as an input. It also has a yaw sensor and individual wheel speed inputs. If it thinks you are turning the steering wheel (because you have fucked the sensor by pulling it out - I think its part of the clock spring) the ESP will think the car is understeering, because all other sensors say the car is going straight ahead.

You might have broken the steering angle sensor, or reinstalled it wrong - installing the steering wheel on crooked might mean the steering angle sensor is also clocked wrong.

Assuming the cup has a traction control button (not sure as it doesn't have abs?!?) try turning it off and driving the car again.

 

[DankART]

Ah ok - wow this is complex - thought changing the wheel is relatively straight forward - was on my old xr2 - yes it has abs button - I’ll try that see what happens - so turning abs off would in theory cure this ? What’s the fix if it is this ? Is the clock spring that huge long band of wire - it all came out and I tried to wind it back together - didn’t see that in the YouTube videos of changing the wheel !!! Nightmare

 

[Daz...]

They do have traction control, and ABS. The only ones that don’t are 172 Cups, unless of course it’s been removed.

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Ah ok - wow this is complex - thought changing the wheel is relatively straight forward - was on my old xr2 - yes it has abs button - I’ll try that see what happens - so turning abs off would in theory cure this ? What’s the fix if it is this ? Is the clock spring that huge long band of wire - it all came out and I tried to wind it back together - didn’t see that in the YouTube videos of changing the wheel !!! Nightmare

New clock spring/steering angle sensor.

Worth looking at:

how to reset the steering angle sensor back to 0 after steering wheel change?

as the title please as i obviously moved it when changing my wheel and what to set it too? is it a case of turn the sensor full lock one way then the other way and find half way point or does it defo have to go on clip at renault?

cliosport.net

If all the wires came out I suspect its had it but could be wrong. They seem to be a bit difficult to find.

Anyone know of a good source?

 

[DankART]

Bugger opened a can of worms haven’t I

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Might also need codes clearing, and possibly steering angle resetting to zero once properly fitted.

Which end of the country are you in?

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Bugger opened a can of worms haven’t I

Sadly I think you did literally open a can or worms 😂

 

[DankART]

My mate has a diagnostic I think so he can clear codes / reset - I am in Essex near Southend

 

[Robbie Corbett]

My mate has a diagnostic I think so he can clear codes / reset - I am in Essex near Southend

Perfect - worth getting him to read codes and reset them. Good luck.

 

[DankART]

So will the codes say if the steering sensor clock thingy is broken ?

 

[hopgop1]

I think you'll need a new squib if you've broken connectors, fingers crossed your steering angle sensor is ok once zeroed out as they're quite hard to get hold of.

 

[DankART]

Which bit is the squib and which bit is the sensor

What was the long tape like thing that unravelled ?? It was a bit of a surprise - like a huge clock spring

 

[hopgop1]

Trying to Remove steering squib + Fit Ph1 indicator stalk to Mk2 Ph2

As per the title, I'm trying to fit my ph1 indicator stick with horn button, onto my Mk2 Ph2 182, as I've got a Sabelt wheel. I've got the wheel off fine, and the audio stalk and steering surround. But I'm stuck at what to do next: My understanding is I need to undo the 3 screws to remove that...

cliosport.net

Have a look there, I believe the bit on the front with the yellow circle is the steering angle sensor, it's attached to the squib that has the wires coming out of it. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, I chickened out of changing my own steering wheel, had my mechanic do it.

 

[DankART]

Hope I can fix it - or my new 182 cup is immediately of action

 

[Robbie Corbett]

The bit with the tape that came out, I refer to that as the clock spring. The squib is I believe the entire assembly - clock spring, wires, steering angle sensor etc.

Renault Clio Sport 2001-2006 172 182 Steering Wheel Airbag Squib Cruise Control

RENBreakers Has this item in stock for next day delivery 01473 487848

www.renaultbreakers.co.uk

 

[DankART]

Thanks- emailed them - what a pain in the bum

 

[Sunglasses_Ron]

My mate has a diagnostic I think so he can clear codes / reset - I am in Essex near Southend

Whereabouts mate? I’m in Wickford

 

[DankART]

My parents live in Wickford I am in rochford - could you help ?

 

[Sunglasses_Ron]

My parents live in Wickford I am in rochford - could you help ?

Ah no sorry mate I was just curious where you’re located.

Nearest specialist is AW Motorworks up Dunmow way. Alex is very very good.

 

[DankART]

Ah ok that’s not too far - we’ll it is if the car doesn’t drive - I’ll give him a call if I can’t get it working

 

[Martin_172]

given the hassle you had with the relatively straight forward job id get it to a specialist to fit the new squib, how did you manage to get the steering wheel off centre? its a keyed spline?!

 

[DankART]

given the hassle you had with the relatively straight forward job id get it to a specialist to fit the new squib, how did you manage to get the steering wheel off centre? its a keyed spline?!

It’s only out by one or two teeth on the spline - but you are right - probably an experts job now - that’s if I can get a new squib

 

[R3k1355]

Also don't forget, now you've ripped the old wheel and airbag off, you'll fail the MOT. Regardless of what you've done about the airbag light.

So you've done an excellent job all round.

 

[DankART]

I did realise that - thanks for the compliments

 

[Louis]

Also don't forget, now you've ripped the old wheel and airbag off, you'll fail the MOT. Regardless of what you've done about the airbag light.

So you've done an excellent job all round.

Oh aye because they fail all the time without a steering wheel airbag

 

[Daz...]

Oh aye because they fail all the time without a steering wheel airbag

I was going to say the same.

Unless of course you’re the sort of person who takes their car to Halfords or Kwik Fit for MOTs.

 

[DankART]

MOT next year is not really a priority atm - making the car work now is 😂

 

[R3k1355]

Oh aye because they fail all the time without a steering wheel airbag

It's upto you if you want a dodgy MOT.

Not like it's there to save your life or anything.

 

[Louis]

It's upto you if you want a dodgy MOT.

Not like it's there to save your life or anything.

DVSA has clearly infiltrated your programming little virgin bot man.

 

[DankART]

Car is track car - only driven to circuits not for general use

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Did you try it with the traction control turned off yet?

 

[Beauvais Motorsport]

Did you try it with the traction control turned off yet?

Not 100% but I think you would need to either de pin or put a 172 cup bulkhead loom in to turn off lights. Its how you remove permanent lights when abs is removed.

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Not 100% but I think you would need to either de pin or put a 172 cup bulkhead loom in to turn off lights. Its how you remove permanent lights when abs is removed.

Yes agree, I'm just wondering if he can turn the stability off and have the thing drive normally again which might confirm the steering angle theory rather than turn lights off etc.

Or do you think having lights on will stop the stability from being turned off?

 

[Mr Squashie]

It's upto you if you want a dodgy MOT.

Not like it's there to save your life or anything.

f**k me, have I accidentally opened Pistonheads? I bet you moan about people running decats too 😂