A friend of mine recently bought herself a lovely IB/W Cooper but the other day when she was parking up we notice that when she turned the steering wheel quite an audible whine would eminate from the front of the car.
Anyone know what this could be? Should she take it to a dealers to get it checked?
ALSO! another thing she told me today had me wondering..when she was reversing (very low revs she said) the electrics in the car cut out...she had to re-set the clock etc. Is this normal?
sounds like low fluid in the power steering and a short in the back-up light switch to me. Shure isn't normal. I would check the fluid level and go to the dealer and have it checked.
good god.....the power steering whine is normal. it uses an electro-hydraulic power assist that operates a bit differently from a normal power steering system, and the audible whine is completely normal. look about using the search just a bit, you'll see billions (approx.) of topics similar.
as for the electrics? probably not normal....it is possible the car stalled, but i kind of doubt it. THAT is definitely something i would have the dealer check out!
Greg
Giving the act of "shouting into your watch" a new definition - Incredibly MINI. http://www.hammerandcoop.com.
All the minis have an audible whine from the power steering that increases with more pressure on the system, I.e low speed steering. Both our minis do it, one 2001 cooper and a 2004 mcs. You should be able to tell if its normal by parking, leave the engine running, and move the wheel from side to side. It should get a bit louder and lower pitched. It makes people look at you a bit funny but it should be normal. As for the electrics, get them to check it as you shouldnt have had to reset the clock. Then they can check the steering to if shes still worried.
i agree it depends on the loudness of the whine. If its really loud thats not normal. It should sound like normal hydraulics. I understood this as an adnormal sound, not the normal one.
All those that have posted 'this whine is normal, ignore it' or words to that effect obviously haven't had a steering rack fail on them.
A little whine is normal - certainly audible above the noise of the engine, but any 'loud' or graunchy sounds take it to the dealer and get it fixed. Also if you start getting feedback through the wheel, this is sure sign of the rack failure (or you've bent a rim ).
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
another thing she told me today had me wondering..when she was reversing (very low revs she said) the electrics in the car cut out...she had to re-set the clock etc. Is this normal?
).
