Strange scenario on full lock...

[DamoR]

It's happened a few times now but on full lock the car makes a strange noise followed by a dimming of the lights and the car seems to labour and feels like it doesn't want to do what your trying to do. Any ideas what this could be? It's an 04 LCR. It's in warranty so will take it in next week....This usually happens in reverse but has done it going forwards too.

 

[RobM]

When at full lock your power steering system is working damn hard, which puts a strain on the electrical system (it eats some juice doing this!). And any strain on the electrical system means a strain on the engine, as that's what is powering the electrical system.

So, Full lock = big strain = power drain = electricity being sapped from elsewhere = dim lights and labouring engine trying to feed this demand.

Not a problem as such, just something to be aware of

 

[DamoR]

Rob that sounds spot on thanks for clearing that up.Have you had same experience?

 

[UncleFester]

Out of interest, when you get to full lock do you hold it just below full lock or try and keep turning against it?

 

[DamoR]

It's before full lock and mostly happens when I have to use the kerb to get out of my apartment block I can't use the lower kerb because the dip is to steep for my splitter.

 

[UncleFester]

But it's when you are putting load onto the powersteering? How much throttle are you using or are you just turning the wheel with the car on tickover?

 

[RobM]

Rob that sounds spot on thanks for clearing that up.Have you had same experience?

Yeah, both my Leon and my Focus when I had it used to do the same. Can't remember if the Celica did, but it wouldn't surprise me. The power steering system takes quite a bit of juice

 

[DamoR]

Under throttle it does it Pat can't remember if it does it when I just turn the wheel I'll try tomorrow ...

 

[UncleFester]

Mine only does it if i'm turning the wheel at tickover, was worse on my honda .. the Tdi seems better though, is the electrical system beefed up on diesels - am sure it's a bigger alternator etc.

 

[RobM]

Mine only does it if i'm turning the wheel at tickover, was worse on my honda .. the Tdi seems better though, is the electrical system beefed up on diesels - am sure it's a bigger alternator etc.

Usually a bigger battery too

 

[g60jet]

its nothing to do with the electrical system as such, power steering is hydrolic, what happens is, at full lock you strain the pumb and you can normally hear it whine. The pump is powered by the engine off the the aux drive belt (depending on the engine). what you get is a drop in engine speed. thus drop in the speed of the alternator, then that drop the voltage across the electrics, with the lights on etc, your electrical system is already well loaded.

When the engine is cold you will notice this more, the hydrolic fluid will be cold and thick and the battery wont be at its best, as the engine has just started and drained the battery somewhat.

 

[DamoR]

Yeah always when car is cold and lights are on. That makes perfect sence nige and also has stopped me worrying something was wrong with my car...

 

[g60jet]

No Worries HTH