Every k12 owners nightmare, PS warning light came on today

[Lovemy160srtobits]

Been dreading today, every since my PS light came on, then went away after restarting, just over a year ago.

Today, it came on, turned ignition off/ on went away, but came back on next time I started, and now will not go away, no matter what.

I don't remember non power assisted cars being so heavy to turn, back in the 80s, or 70s either.

From what I can gather, to get a recon one, with no issues matching up to existing ecu/ignition/locks etc, am looking at £400 plus cost of fitting.

Luckily, live in bristol, where a garage specialises in them.

I must be getting soft in my old age, don't fancy trying a second hand one, with possible issues.

 

[Lovemy160srtobits]

Been dreading today, every since my PS light came on, then went away after restarting, just over a year ago.

Today, it came on, turned ignition off/ on went away, but came back on next time I started, and now will not go away, no matter what.

I don't remember non power assisted cars being so heavy to turn, back in the 80s, or 70s either.

From what I can gather, to get a recon one, with no issues matching up to existing ecu/ignition/locks etc, am looking at £400 plus cost of fitting.

Luckily, live in bristol, where a garage specialises in them.

I must be getting soft in my old age, don't fancy trying a second hand one, with possible issues.

Btw, I have a 160sr, with bilsteins, and smaller wheels, higher profile tyres, and 10mm hubcentric wheel spacers. The handling around corners is truly outstanding. Have one of those very long 360 degree entry roads onto motorway near me. It's so long, you lose track of where you are in it. Can enter at 60 mph, and maintain it all the way through. Not a single wobble or steering correction needed. If you trust your car, try it. You'll pull away about 100 to 200m from anything behind you. Now you see me, now you don't. Only ever time I drive fast in my car. Totally addictive.

 

[Micra Paul]

My 1998 K11 has easy to use Keep fit manual steering from new as did all my earlier K10 & K11 micras with no worries simplicity. So simple it just keeps working.

Original manual power steering has a different mechanical leverage gearing set up & is easy to use.

EPS failure renders the vehicle virtually undrivable without muscles like Popeye & is an MOT failure!

Good luck

 

[Lovemy160srtobits]

Update. I got a recon power steering unit from western power steering, £370, and got it fitted for £252. Sorry Jason, your info was hard to follow, was in a panic. Also, have to make compromises/choices/decisions quickly, as it's my daily driver.

New unit works like a dream, returns to center, and feels great. There is one issue though, the immobiliser light comes on after 5 minutes of driving. Although light comes on, all works fine. Western Power steering did offer to recon my original one as a solution, but would cost another £252 to refit, so a bit pointless. He said it will not affect running of car. Will see how it turns out. If it fails, he will have a very irate customer on his doorstep.

 

[Lovemy160srtobits]

My 1998 K11 has easy to use Keep fit manual steering from new as did all my earlier K10 & K11 micras with no worries simplicity. So simple it just keeps working.

Original manual power steering has a different mechanical leverage gearing set up & is easy to use.

EPS failure renders the vehicle virtually undrivable without muscles like Popeye & is an MOT failure!

Good luck

I did get used to driving without power steering. Am quite strong, however you have to keep pressure on the wheel when turning, as it wants to return to center like it's life depended on it. Was a bit tiring. Also, had to drive a lot more slowly, especially around corners and Roundabouts.

 

[Lovemy160srtobits]

Update. I got a recon power steering unit from western power steering, £370, and got it fitted for £252. Sorry Jason, your info was hard to follow, was in a panic. Also, have to make compromises/choices/decisions quickly, as it's my daily driver.

New unit works like a dream, returns to center, and feels great. There is one issue though, the immobiliser light comes on after 5 minutes of driving. Although light comes on, all works fine. Western Power steering did offer to recon my original one as a solution, but would cost another £252 to refit, so a bit pointless. He said it will not affect running of car. Will see how it turns out. If it fails, he will have a very irate customer on his doorstep.

Not impressed by the immobiliser light coming on, and westerns explanation/solution, but, the steering feels better than before pws failure, although can't imagine anything was done during recon that would improve it. May be they did do something?