Voltage drops when turning steering wheel

rymass

Hi All,

My wife has a little 1.2 Corsa and I noticed the other day that the lights dim when she turns the steering wheel. I put a voltmeter on the battery and it reads 12V. When the car is on it sits at 14.3V. When I turn the lights on, it drops to 14V (which doesnt seem bad I guess), but when I turn the steering wheel it drops down to 12V and back to 14.3V.

Does that sound normal? Or do you reckon the alternator is on its way out...

Thanks!

garv123

rymass wrote: »

Hi All,

My wife has a little 1.2 Corsa and I noticed the other day that the lights dim when she turns the steering wheel. I put a voltmeter on the battery and it reads 12V. When the car is on it sits at 14.3V. When I turn the lights on, it drops to 14V (which doesnt seem bad I guess), but when I turn the steering wheel it drops down to 12V and back to 14.3V.

Does that sound normal? Or do you reckon the alternator is on its way out...

Thanks!

The draw from the electric power steering causes lights to dip slightly in a lot of smaller cars. Even noticed it in a brand new Seat Toledo.

standardg60

I'd imagine the battery is a bit weak or you need one with a higher amperage, doesn't sound like the alternator.

theunforgiven

Had on old Skoda Fabia1.2 that did this. Was nothing to worry about I was told and don't recall it ever causing any problems.

wonski

Is it in neutral when parked or does it happen when driving?

If its just parked then it is pretty normal, same when you use electric windows etc.

Small dip could even happen when driving, but shouldn't be noticeable that much.

standardg60

theunforgiven wrote: »

Had on old Skoda Fabia1.2 that did this. Was nothing to worry about I was told and don't recall it ever causing any problems.

Had one through my hands a while back with constantly flickering headlights, replacing the steering angle sensor sorted it, well known fault with Fabias.

Imo this is not normal, if its not the battery then there may be a similar sensor fault with the op's car. I for one wouldn't want to be driving (or the wife driving) a car with dimming lights every time i turned a corner.

Bikerman2019

Thats an interesting idea above, somebody saying the power steering activation is causing a voltage drop. Makes sense to me as I am doing electronics in college.

I also have a corsa and noticed niggles with electrics. I traced it to a knackered battery. It was testing ok. Charging fine, 14+ volts, BUT UNDER LOAD, it was dying. When it was being called upon to provide extra power it was dying.
Electric windows going erratic, digital clock resetting etc etc.

I put my multimeter across the battery terminals and then started the engine. The multimeter showed the voltage was collapsing under load.


It may possibly be time to get a new battery. Something to test and look for.

rymass

Thanks for the comments everyone. I was hoping the head lights issue could help me with the major problem it has. The car's had a problem for a few months now in that when I accelerate in first it feels like it jumps, skips and shudders. I thought it could be the clutch, but if it were shouldn't it have the same problem in every gear? Also, the weird thing is if the car stands for a few days then it doesn't have the problem.

I've replaced the coils, lambdas, egr (had an error) and fuel pump (it had failed). It's more a thing of stubbornness now! I will not let the Corsa win lol!