ATF in the power steering - OK for electric pump?

[itiejim]

I see that TVR recommends ATF for the power steering instead of power steering fluid. I have recently swapped the manual pump for an electric one off a Citroen Saxo and wondered if anyone else who had done this could confirm that ATF is still best?

[markh1]

If Ridds doesn't answer this thread it might be worth pm'ing him as he has leccy power steering.

[ridds]

Hi James, yeah ATF Dexron II or III will be fine in it.

Make sure you bleed the rack through thoroughly after first fill.

How have you wired it? I'm guessing a switched relay. It's also handy to be able to deactivate it as it's a bit of a power hog.

[shpub]

It will be fine. Been running that in the Cerb LS for years now.
I strongly recommend using a relay and a seperate fuse as it can take 50-60A on start up.
I have mine controlled by the ECu to come on when the engine is running so there is no load during cranking.

You could connect the relay so that it only comes on when there is oil pressure or when the fuel pump is running.

[itiejim]

Thanks folks, I am still looking at the best way of wiring it, I was going to take a live off the ignition and then put an inline switch in to allow me to turn it off when required - using the ECU sounds cleverer though.

Question is, am I clever enough?

[Barkychoc]

I'm sure someone said they had the relay energised by a feed from the alternator - so when the light went out the relay was energised - if you can locate it near the alternator you also have a nice beefy power feed too.

[shpub]

itiejim said:

Thanks folks, I am still looking at the best way of wiring it, I was going to take a live off the ignition and then put an inline switch in to allow me to turn it off when required - using the ECU sounds cleverer though.

Question is, am I clever enough?

NO ooooooooo Not the ignition. Wire it in independently of the existing wiring. You don't want the car turning into a Tuscan lookalikey bonfire!


The ignition feed is not strong enough. It will melt the already marginal wiring. You need a direct connection to the battery. Put a big fuse and relay in series with it and then use whatever to switch the relay on or off as needed.

[Steve_T]

The 106/Saxo pump has a chunky relay with it - 70A or so iirc.

Edited by Steve_T on Saturday 6th March 20:31

[ridds]

Highest load will be when on full lock and holding it against the PRV. Mine is currently wired through and relay and a 40 Amp maxi fuse directly to the battery with the switched signal coming from the windscreen wiper power supply.

The fuse has never blown so suspect it doesn't pull anymore than that.

[Barkychoc]

If you buy a caravan split charge kit you'll get a big fat relay and all the heavy duty bits you need in one kit, saves messing about. A 40A fuse won't blow till its taking about 80 amps by the way