Steering and battery just died up a mountain

[dave0178]

Hello, looking for any advice please. I'm skiing in France and just before we reached the resort my power steering failed. Managed to drive it another 6miles to the top. Once we parked and unloaded I had to move it, the battery warning light came on a few other lights flashed up (abs I think) and then the battery died.

Recovery guy suggests it's the steering belt, before the battery went but now the batt has died I'm not so sure.

Local garage is round the corner, it's a bank holiday so can't go for a day or 2 just wondering what people think.

 

[DaveD]

Hello, looking for any advice please. I'm skiing in France and just before we reached the resort my power steering failed. Managed to drive it another 6miles to the top. Once we parked and unloaded I had to move it, the battery warning light came on a few other lights flashed up (abs I think) and then the battery died.

Recovery guy suggests it's the steering belt, before the battery went but now the batt has died I'm not so sure.

Local garage is round the corner, it's a bank holiday so can't go for a day or 2 just wondering what people think.

Sounds to me like your auxiliary belt has failed, it drives the power steering pump and alternator, which would explain the symptoms you describe.
Hopefully the local garage can replace it without too much fuss.
Oh, and welcome to the forum!

 

[Loz]

You don't say what year/model, this is the information for. T6 with hydraulic PS and Airconditioning.
If you upload a photo of your build label from under the steering column. I can give you exact part number etc.

Part number 03L 903 137 H

 

[Paynewright]

Do all Transporters have hydraulic power steering or have later models (6.1)switched to electric assistance?

If it had thrown the belt then a warning light would have shown on the dash. Not sure if severe slippage of the belt would have caused a warning light - any screeching?

 

[Dellmassive]

Sounds to me like your auxiliary belt has failed, it drives the power steering pump and alternator, which would explain the symptoms you describe.
Hopefully the local garage can replace it without too much fuss.
Oh, and welcome to the forum!

This was my first thought. - Aux Belt

T6.1 moved over to electric steering pumps.

 

[dave0178]

Do all Transporters have hydraulic power steering or have later models (6.1)switched to electric assistance?

If it had thrown the belt then a warning light would have shown on the dash. Not sure if severe slippage of the belt would have caused a warning light - any screeching?

Nope just stopped steering out of the blue. On a mountain pass...

 

[DaveD]

Nope just stopped steering out of the blue. On a mountain pass...

You've been lucky - it's not uncommon for a failed aux belt to get tangled around the cambelt and cause catastrophic engine damage.

 

[cossie]

I had a slight oil leak on my t5.1 which dropped onto the aux belt and caused it to slip off and give me no power steering!
I was glad it didn’t get tangled with the cambelt. Was like going back to my old RS turbo no power steering I was more concerned that the battery was going to die!
Hope you got it sorted