Two questions from new owner

[VikingCerb]

Hi All,

I have just returned to Norway with my new pride and joy - driving over 1.300 miles from the UK to Norway through Europe. Just love the Cerbera!

Having tried to search through this forum as well as review the handbook and downloadable manuals I have two questions that I hope you can help me with:

1. What does the little black button on the dasboard do (marked with a red circle). I cannot see it in any of the manuals or handbook. I have not been brave enough to touch/push it yet.



2. Whenever I turn the steering wheel from the 12 o'clock position to either 11 or 1 o´clock there is a slight vibration and scraping sound comming through the steering column. Makes no difference if I'm standing still or driving and only happens between these two positions. Also the PAS does not feel like it has an "even" and constant action. I have not yet checked the PAS fluid level, but the car has just had a 6k service so that should be ok. Do you guys have any ideas of what it may be or what should be my first call?

Thanks so much for your help.

[m60ddy]

The button is so that when you are in the car and driving through wheel spin ally at Le Mans you can press the button and the exterior buttons will not open the car.

Part two sounds like a pump issue so the questions will be are you on an original PAS system or is it a retro fit Citroen unit?

[VikingCerb]

m60ddy said:

The button is so that when you are in the car and driving through wheel spin ally at Le Mans you can press the button and the exterior buttons will not open the car.

Part two sounds like a pump issue so the questions will be are you on an original PAS system or is it a retro fit Citroen unit?

Thanks for the info regarding the button :-)

I'm still on the original pump. 2004 model 4.5 RR.

[Mike Horne]

You're not alone...I didn't wany to push the button incase the car didn't start either!...what's the strange looking padlock type key for that goes in underneath the radio?

[ukkid35]

VikingCerb said:

I have not yet checked the PAS fluid level, but the car has just had a 6k service so that should be ok.

If you car has just been serviced, assume NOTHING was done until you have checked it yourself. Some places will put used service parts like plugs and filters in a box for you to take away or discard at your leisure, which I quite like.

If you are lucky the only thing that was forgotten will be the PS reservoir check/top up.

[m60ddy]

Mike Horne said:

You're not alone...I didn't wany to push the button incase the car didn't start either!...what's the strange looking padlock type key for that goes in underneath the radio?

That's the do not touch at any cost key. If you turn that and the whole unit turns breaking the wiring behind your car will never start again.

[F1SERB]

STEP AWAY FROM THE SILVER KEY

[F1SERB]

STEP AWAY FROM THE SILVER KEY

[FarmyardPants]

Uneven power assistance is normally the universal joint in the drivers side front wheelarch. There are 2 UJs but the top one seems to cause this problem more.

[robsco]

The uneven sensation through the steering might not be as serious as the pump, it may just be the steering UJs.

[ukkid35]

robsco said:

The uneven sensation through the steering might not be as serious as the pump, it may just be the steering UJs.

That does seem more likely than low fluid. I keep forgetting about the UJ seizing because it's one of the few things I've not had to deal with.

[Mr Cerbera]

FarmyardPants said:

Uneven power assistance is normally the universal joint in the drivers side front wheelarch. There are 2 UJs but the top one seems to cause this problem more.

Hi Jesper

Although Rog is quite correct I have found that the level in the reservoir (Front, driver's side, engine compartment) varied enormously and was the initial (and cheap) area to examine. I had several problems with partially split transfer pipes from/to the reservoir.

Check for 'red' liquid leaks
Fix if necessary
Top up reservoir
Jack the front axle up
Start the motor
Turn lock to lock (Lots of times)
Check reservoir again
Turn lock to lock.

Job jobbed (hopefully)

All the

(Very impressive return drive from purchase - beats my pawltry effort back to Luxembourg)

Edited by Mr Cerbera on Friday 17th October 05:31

[scotty_d]

Notchy or uneven steering will most likely be as already said the steering uj's they are prone to seizing due to being exposed in the wheel arch.

[robsco]

ukkid35 said:

robsco said:

The uneven sensation through the steering might not be as serious as the pump, it may just be the steering UJs.

That does seem more likely than low fluid. I keep forgetting about the UJ seizing because it's one of the few things I've not had to deal with.

I had to replace the UJs on my first Cerbera, and "uneven" would be the perfect description. I believe someone on here found a rubber boot that was a perfect fit around the joint to prevent it happening again.

[Byker28i]

robsco said:

ukkid35 said:

robsco said:

The uneven sensation through the steering might not be as serious as the pump, it may just be the steering UJs.

That does seem more likely than low fluid. I keep forgetting about the UJ seizing because it's one of the few things I've not had to deal with.

I had to replace the UJs on my first Cerbera, and "uneven" would be the perfect description. I believe someone on here found a rubber boot that was a perfect fit around the joint to prevent it happening again.

This. I had similar on mine. Good news is it's a cheap fix, I think about £75 the pair

[geeeman]

any benefit to upgrading to the citroen unit?

[ukkid35]

geeeman said:

any benefit to upgrading to the citroen unit?

Upgrading?

The standard PS pump is tiny, and weighs just a few ounces. Why would you want to change it for a large, power hungry, heavy, electric pump?