Power steering issue

[Styur]

We have a 2008 Clio. Whilst driving the power steering suddenly stopped working. However after stopping the car and starting it again the power steering returned.

Someone suggested it may be the battery, and so as it was on its way out anyway we changed it. But this hasn't cured the problem, and the power steering cut out again this week, only to return once the car was stopped and started again.

Any ideas on what could be causing this?

 

[R3k1355]

Have you pulled ECU fault codes?

Probably the best place to start.

 

[Martin_172]

if the battery is confirmed good and no earth issues its likely the motor at fault, as above the rack has its own control module so get the codes read.

EDIT: that above is assuming its a mk3 Clio which a 2008 could be either a mk2 or a mk3, if its a mk2 its likely the motor on its way out!

 

[Styur]

Ok, thanks. I bought a reader but this didn't return any codes. So possibly the motor then? Seems odd that switching it on and off again instantly cures it though?

 

[Martin_172]

Ok, thanks. I bought a reader but this didn't return any codes. So possibly the motor then? Seems odd that switching it on and off again instantly cures it though?

If the control module detects an issue it can disable the power steering

 

[Styur]

Wouldn't that have been picked up by the fault reader though?

 

[Martin_172]

Wouldn't that have been picked up by the fault reader though?

only if its a decent one that's going to read the power steering module?

 

[Styur]

Ok, thanks. No idea if it reads the power steering, I just bought one with good reviews off eBay. Plugging things into cars is all new to me, this is what I'm used to working on. No computers here!

Sounds like I need to take it to the garage then to get it plugged into a big boy computer.

 

[Martin_172]

Ok, thanks. No idea if it reads the power steering, I just bought one with good reviews off eBay. Plugging things into cars is all new to me, this is what I'm used to working on. No computers here!

Sounds like I need to take it to the garage then to get it plugged into a big boy computer.

yeah generally those ones will just read the engine ECU, and even then they can be a bit of a hit or a miss with what they read, usually handy for diagnosing and clearing basic stuff though, still a handy tool to have in the box!