Power steering

[edam]

Can a duff battery effect the electric power steering?

[ColinB]

At the risk of stating the blindingly obvious, if the battery is sufficiently duff that you can’t start the car, then yes the power steering will be affected (along with many other systems). If the car can be started and the generator is functioning then I’d have thought all the car systems, including the power steering, ought to function (that’s an assumption, I have no technical knowledge about that).

[Lord Voltermore]

I also have no great technical knowledge but think the short answer is yes. I have had cars with electric power steering where  power assistance  was very poor  or non existent  with  the ignition on but the engine not running. And thus  only drawing 12v  or less, if the battery is duff. And maybe not a full quota of amps.   

But their  power steering would work perfectly with the engine running  and the  alternator boosting this to the normal charging rate of 14.4 volts.   

Also possible the steering has a sensor that detects if the battery might not be up to the job. To reduce the chances of steering performance suddenly changing while you are driving. 

[FarNorthJazz]

I have no special knowledge about Jazz power steering.   However,  before aquiring the Jazz I did have problems with a Fiat Panda. 

It had electric power steering and was sensitive to low voltage . The steering would become very heavy particularly when turning.  It could be caused by problems with the steering sensor which was an expensive item to replace,  but for all Panda power steering problems the advice on the Fiat forum was always to first check the battery.   

A multimeter test might not be adequate but a deep discharge test by a garage could show up a dud or failing battery,  and very often replacing the battery fixed Panda power steering problems

[edam]

The battery is 10 years old but as Im thinking about changing to a Mk4 I dont want to spend money on it

Its charging at 14.3  and I know that when it senses the battery is charged it will drop down to 13 something to stop it overcharging but this has not happened  yet.

But if its effecting the power steering I will have to get it replaced as its making parking difficult

[ColinB]

I'm surprised that the problem occurs with the engine running and the battery charging as normal. Certainly I replaced my battery at about 10 years old and don't remember any issues with the steering.

[edam]

I moved my car about 20 ft along the road . The power steering was Ok before I moved off but when I stopped it was heavy
Revs

[jazzaro]

Can a duff battery effect the electric power steering?

Sure.
In a small car like our Jazz, the EPS can drag up to 60-70A, a big amount of current for an alternator running at idle and a duff battery. 

[Lord Voltermore]

And just a reminder. If power  steering seems heavy the first thing to check is tyre pressures . Its probably not the cause in the circumstances described in this post but might be for others who find this  post in a subject search.

[edam]

To start with  I have already increased the front pressures which did not help.

The battery voltage when cold was 12.1 so needs to be changed anyway

I have booked it in with a main dealer for a battery change but they wanted to charge me over £200 until I pointed out there was a Honda fixed price for it.

Main dealers GRHHH