Morning All,

Okay here goes, Range Rover TD6 2002. Steering Very Heavy all the time.
Firstly, checked the pump but its okay. Changed servotronic valve and checked voltage going to it (10.9v) still the same.
Changed the PS Fluid yet steering still heavy. Have checked for fault codes and only thing that came up was Front n/s ABS sensor which i have now replaced and also the earth strap coming from ABS unit under the bonnet was slack which i tightened. No Faults at all now however still have heavy steering.

When I reset everything through OBD port, it now never says HDC control Inactive for some reason!!

Any help will be appreciated, A desperate man, James

When you reset stuff and disconnect the battery, you need to turn the steering from lock to lock to reset the HDC. There is a steering angle sensor that needs re-calibrated by going from lock to lock.

The front tyre pressure also makes quite a noticeable difference to the weight of the steering.

Lastly, when you say heavy, what are you comparing it to? My RR would feel very heavy compared to my freelander.

Can you hear the pump work the fluid when you turn the wheel. You can normally hear it skiiiiissssshhhh as you turn the wheel. V8 or else ...

looks like you've rectified all the possible causes... i can only think is , is the servotronic valve voltage correct [guess] and did you change the little filter when you put the new valve on... ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

Thanks for the fast replies.

The message HDC INactive does not appear on the screen anymore. Even when battery disconnected!

Servotronic valve was replaced with a new filter as well.

Totally stumped!

many years ago on my morris marina the bottom bushes started seizing which resulted in very heavy steering, could this problem apply to the fullfat..


edit, you could rev the engine up and see if that improves the steering then that could be what NDFI [below] suggested.. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

Last edited by stan on 28th Nov 2012 9:59am. Edited 1 time in total

Drive belt slipping on power steering pump?

No sorry changed tensioner as well

But thanks

You may want to look at the BCU unit under the passenger seat. This dictates when the servotronic steering engages. If it is faulty then the steering could be stuck in high speed mode. I had an intermittent issue where my steering was stiff at startup and normally turning the ignition off and restarting the car corrected it. I recently cleaned all the connections to the BCU and the fault seems to have been fixed.

Hi all!
Okay update. Got myself a new servotronic valve and nothing has changed !
So far have changed power steering pump, changed the fluid, new servotronic valve ! Measured the voltage going to servotronic valve when vehicle stationary and its showing 10.9v does anyone know if this is correct!

I just don't know where to turn next ! Anyone got any ideas?

Have you checked out the BCU yet, as per post above ? .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

hello,

Yes took it out opened it up and it looked brand new however unsure what voltage should be ! Is 10.9v right while the vehicle is stationary

Cheers, James

James
Have you cleared the faults? When I got mine had increadibly heavy steering. Thought it was normal untill I got my RAC and cleared all the faults. Next time I drove it I almost ripped the steering wheel it had gone so light. [img]http://www.fuelly.com/driver/rob2529/range-rover[img/]
04, 4.4V8, Vogue Oslo Blue with LPG.
"You can sleep in your car, BUT you can't race your house!!!!"

If something can't be fixed with a hammer....... You have yourself an electrical fault!

Yeah all faults cleared many times . Disconnected the battery over night and still no difference.
How can i get the BCM checked / re programmed ? Only other thing i can think is the rack however I really can't see it.

Cheers, James

I'd start by jacking up both the front wheels and having a very good look at all the steering components - ball joints. track rods, bushes etc., to see if anything is seized up.

Is the steering heavy or light when the car is jacked up - and can you turn the steering from lock to lock just by turning one of the front wheels (when they are off the ground!)? If not, it may be a simple seized joint after all...

Have you looked at the steering column itself yet ?? May be worth a look as well because it sounds like a major seizing up of the steering components to not allow the power steering to make it light. MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!