2003 Avensis Loss Of Power Steering

[kuksmith]

I have a 2003 Avensis 1.8 estate. Due to poor maintenance (by previous owner) I had to have a re-con engine fitted - after nearly 5 months of arguing over retailers warranty (a learning point if ever there was one) during which time it sat at a local garage with the engine in bits. About 30 miles and 1 hour of driving after new engine fitted, the power steering was lost. Although the Battery is in dire need of replacement, it is not due to this, since I'd driven the car from the E London garage who specialist in fitting re-con engines, to mid essex.

Power steering now feels OK, but it has rather knocked my confidence.

Any ideas what caused this to happen and likelihood of re-occurence?

[ZPM]

I find your situation interesting as we have had a 2003 Avensis from new. And it has been a reliable, comfortable workhorse. I took it to the nearby Toyota dealership to have necessary brake discs, pads replaced (as you do). En-route, the engine warning light came on for the first time since we owned it (amber coloured with no other indicators), and I told the garage when booking it in. The report back from the engineers was that the oxygen sensor had gone in the catalytic system and that it should be replaced.

Brakes and sensor completed, I had the car delivered after work. The next day when I drove it at any speed, I noticed that the steering was not as positive as it should be - a little "floaty" because, when I steered straight, it either went slightly left or slightly right, and on correcting, went off in the opposite direction. The effect was to make the car swerve ever-so-slightly, and I was concerned that others might think I was drunk.

I went back to the garage to have the mechanics look it over again, and they have offered to put it on a tracking machine (pending completion) to see whether this is a tracking issue although I do not think it is. I think they accidentally did something to the steering when they were doing the work on the brakes.

I think there was a recall on the steering for some Avensis many years ago, but our reg did not fall into the category when looked up. If the tracking is not an issue, I will be following this up. So, you might check that issue in past recalls.

Our car has been regularly serviced by Toyota main dealers every year since we got it - so the problem is not neglect - nor has it been run into the ground as it is fairly low mileage for the year.

Don't lose faith in the vehicle, I will be asking for mine to be assessed by an independent garage on recommendation if I get no resolution to this as the vehicle was fine before the dealers did the work.

Loss of power steering can be because of loss in pressure if there is a leak somewhere in the system, or loss of power under strain e.g. if you have air con on full and are going uphill (although I haven't heard of this effect for many years and never in an Avensis) - so if your Battery and coil are ok, you might have someone look to see if there is pothole/collision damage that could be compromising the system or something simply getting in the way of it operating mechanically as it should.

Don't lose heart, just note down a diary of observations, drive the vehicle carefully and persevere with trying other mechanics until you're roadworthy, and your attention to the car will be well-rewarded with many years of comfortable, untroubled motoring.

Hope the suggestions help.

[gazza1286]

ZPM - The steering should not have been affected by the work carried out. However faults like that could arise from something as simple as the wheels being swapped with each other. Tread wears unevenly even on the best set up suspension and if part worn tyres are swapped over strange things start happening.

[ZPM]

Thanks Gazza 1286. Really helpful comment as the mechanics swapped the front (2 Dunlops) and rear (2 Bridgestones) tyres!

You'd think they would know which ones they took off where! Thanks again.

[Devon Aygo]

kuksmith the power steering on your 1.8 Avensis is of the electric assisted steering shaft type, the motor used to twist the steering shaft is a high power user and it is quite possible that the alternator is struggling to provide enough power to the motor at the same time as trying to charge a dead/dying Battery this may illuminate the PAS warning light and will result in either no PAS of fluctuating assistance

[cmia]

kuksmith the power steering on your 1.8 Avensis is of the electric assisted steering shaft type, the motor used to twist the steering shaft is a high power user and it is quite possible that the alternator is struggling to provide enough power to the motor at the same time as trying to charge a dead/dying battery this may illuminate the PAS warning light and will result in either no PAS of fluctuating assistance

The car came with two variants..

if the car does have the electrical EAS then you need to replace the Battery and check the alternator for 14v+

if its manual eg pump driven, I would be looking at replacing the ATF.