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MG MGF Technical - power steering relay?

i have what sounds like a chattering relay sound coming, intermittently, from the front passenger side of the car (98 VVC)

yesterday I got this sound followed by the steering going very heavy and the warning light coming on on the dash (the one with the steering icon)

I deduced from this that the power steering relay (if such a thing exists) is on its way out.

is this a cheap easy fix, or an expensive dealer repair?

is it likely to cause further damage if left?

any advice much appreciated as always
Colin Ashworth

Colin,

The power steering ECU/relay is certainly in the area you describe, under the passenger side dash and can be heard quite easily. It would also flash the dash warning light as it cuts in and out. I know that this is what happens, as I have a switch that cuts this relay in and out deliberately (Will Munn's PAS switch mod).

Perhaps there is a loose/damaged wire/connection somewhere around the ECU rather than the unit itself? Remove the glovebox and take a look. There are some pictures here at the PAS mod webpage on Rob's site:

http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/epas_bypass.htm

Dave Livingstone

thanks dave
Colin Ashworth

I agree with you Dave - most of the reported 'faults' with the EPAS are usually down to a poor electrical connection somewhere - most often with the loom to the EPAS ECU itself.

First thing to try is to remove the plugs, spray on some contact cleaner and reassemble: hopefully this simple act will solve the problem :o)
Rob Bell

Chattering is _BAD_!

AFAIK the EPAS system uses MOSFETS to do the left/right turn stuff, the only relay is the ON/OFF for the system (can be heard, one click shortly after turning on the engine). If it is 'chattering' then there is a major internal fault as the system has a delay inbuilt to rule out stray signals.

The EPAS unit is self contained, and I would contact Victoria and get a 'new' one, rather than open it up a and mess around with a soldering iron - Remember if this unit is bad then it can literally drive you off the road or into other traffic, it has much stronger 'arms' than you!
Will Munns

What are "MOSFETS" Will?
Rob Bell

Metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors.

Did you really want to know ;-)

Basicly they don't make any noise!
Will Munns

LOL I had to ask Will! ;o)
Rob Bell

Thanks for you comments folks

Will you scared me

Had a look throught he rave manual, cant find any reference at all to a relay on the epas? or is it part and parcel of the main unit?

What the manual does say is that it is fail safe in that if the epas goes belly-up it switches itself off and reverts to tank mode around town

all the same I think I'll be getting a replacement.

Cost anyone?
Colin Ashworth

>Had a look throught he rave manual, cant find any reference at all to a relay on the epas?

yep it's internal, basicly shouldn't go wrong, and the potential to ar*e it up outweighs the cost!

>Cost anyone?
It's a part which just doesn't go wrong (usually ;-) so should be reasonable from a breaker (if the rules of supply and demand hold true!)

Will
Will Munns

spoke to mgf centre this morning, they suggested its probably the contacts on the 40A fuse being corroded, which sort of ties in with your "doesnt go wrong very often" comment Will. I'll check that tonight armed with WD40

Rather worryingly, the lady I spoke to knew nothing about the relay behind the glove box, and suggested that if the fuse isnt the problem, the steering column may need to be replaced?
Colin Ashworth

further to the last post, I should have added that she also suggested I spoke to their mechanics before I took such drastic action
Colin Ashworth

Colin, I'd refer back to Dave's original comment: clean up all the electrical connections first - particularly those of the loom plugs to the ECU. It's also not unheard of for there to be a connection problem in the loom plug wiring itself - but simple cheap things first ;o)

Loads in the archives on this problem. I wouldn't go rushing out and replacing major electrical/ hardware items just yet...
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 18/04/2004 and 20/04/2004

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