Power steering fail , Test next week!

okarm26

So , Ive got my test for next week . Power steering has just gone in my car and looks like it’ll need replacing .

Ive being driving it for the last week and a half without it , a bit heavy but its ok .

Can't really afford to have it replaced at the moment . Would a power steering fail cause the Tester refuse to go ahead with the test ? My thinking is that the power steering in a car ( although all cars have it now) is just a feature and is still fit to drive ?

Thanks

TwoShedsJackson

Personally I'd go ahead and do the test and say nothing about the power steering, see how you get on.

It's not something the tester will know about unless s/he sees you wrenching the wheel all over the place during the test, obviously it's going to make it harder to do the three point turn and the reverse around the corner etc. but if you're happy enough to try it anyway, no reason not to give it a go.

okarm26

Thats what i'm thinking , will be a bit of a pain with the turnabout though .

I'm sure the Tester will realise that the power steering is gone once i start that maneuver , a bit of arm strength needed for that .

There is a warning 'beep' + warning light on the dash which lights up when i start the car , this is where the tester will notice it when i start the car .

Its with SGS in Cork next Wednesday , the fact that they are finished testing in Cork the day after , i'm thinking they might let me off with it .

Tempted to ring them up and ask straight out , but if they say no then i am screwed....least if they question it on the day I can say it wen the night before or something?

TheElf

okarm26 wrote: »

There is a warning 'beep' + warning light on the dash which lights up when i start the car , this is where the tester will notice it when i start the car .

As far as I know, I could be wrong...any warning light on is an automatic fail, same as a light not working. I'm not 100% on this but I think it's there somewhere in the rules.

TwoShedsJackson

OK if there's a warning light then yes you could have a problem - a warning light can be used as a reason not to take you out, which is fair enough really.

Can you arrange to do the test in a mate's car or something, or rent a car for the morning from a local driving school?

Simon Jester

Disconnect the warning light and tell the tester your car is not equipped with power steering.

There is no rule saying you cant take a test in a car without power steering.

congo_90

TheElf wrote: »

As far as I know, I could be wrong...any warning light on is an automatic fail, same as a light not working. I'm not 100% on this but I think it's there somewhere in the rules.

Any warning light or any kind of malfunction that deems the vehicle not road worthy (ie; wouldn't pass an NCT) is an automatic fail. OP have you access to someone else's car for the day? just transfer your insurance. Best of luck

timmywex

If the warning light comes on when you start it up but then goes off again you'll be grand, otherwise the warning light will have you failed!

Burtchaell

Id nearly be inclined to take the fuse out of the car too but that will cause all the lights to go out on the dash and he may/probably will notice it. I understand you would want to do it on the car your used too. Id deffo go with an instructors car if are changing cars. At least you know it will be up to scratch and well kept.

Beau x1

timmywex wrote: »

If the warning light comes on when you start it up but then goes off again you'll be grand, otherwise the warning light will have you failed!

Yeah, I was also going to say when he gets you to test the lights etc when he's out of the car start the ignition (not just the battery) on your car so the light will go off and he may not hear the beep.

brian076

Driving testers were instructed last year only to refuse to take a car out if the warning light is red, the only exception to this would be an airbag light.

I don't think you should have any problems, and remember it's a turnabout manoeuvre not a 3 point turn, so you don't have to do it in 3 goes.

okarm26

Its a steering wheel icon in 'red' , thats bang in the middle of the dash & lights up and 'beep beep beeps' on start up . Might just chance it and say it just came on that morning......

Alanstrainor

okarm26 wrote: »

Its a steering wheel icon in 'red' , thats bang in the middle of the dash & lights up and 'beep beep beeps' on start up . Might just chance it and say it just came on that morning......

I wouldn't bother chancing it, i'd get it fixed, a red alert light right in the middle of the dash, along with the beeps, will be very obvious to the tester. And they wont take excuses.

brian076

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I wouldn't bother chancing it, i'd get it fixed, a red alert light right in the middle of the dash, along with the beeps, will be very obvious to the tester. And they wont take excuses.

Fully agree, if a red light comes on and stays on you've very little chance of being taken out. Either look at getting it fixed or hire a driving school car.

tormented

At the risk of offending... have you checked the power steering fluid level under the bonnet. If this is low the steering will become very heavy and just needs to be topped up:)