Repair 7

A cars power steering depends on a constantly-moving belt to supply it with power. This belt, also known as a serpentine belt, typically supplies power to several other components as well.

Description

The power steering or serpentine belt consists of flexible synthetic material with a flat outer side and a grooved or ribbed inner side. This belt winds through a series of pulleys, with a device called a tensioner maintaining a precise amount of stress on the belt at all times, according to 2 Car Pros.

Function

The belt conveys power to various important engine components, including the power steering system, water pump, air conditioner compressor and alternator. Some cars, mostly older models, divide these tasks between two or more belts, according to Samarins.

Potential Problems

Power steering belts tend to fray and weaken through years of constant use. If this belt breaks the power steering will fail; any other parts the belt powers will also stop working. AA1 Car recommends inspecting belts at regular service intervals and replacing worn ones as needed.

Power windows are useful and convenient options, and come standard on many vehicle models. Like any piece of machinery, power windows can encounter problems from time to time. Fortunately, many of these problems fall into several major categories, which are usually quite easy to solve. If you own a vehicle with power windows, you may want to make yourself aware of these problems, as this knowledge could save you time, effort, and money later.

Jamming

Jamming is probably the most common problem that crops up with power windows. Jamming is usually a result of problems with weatherstripping, gaskets, or channels. These parts of a power window assembly take a lot of abuse, both from mechanical use and weather. Sometimes, they can bunch up, break apart, or buckle, which will jam the power windows tracks. Sometimes, problems like this can be solved without taking the window apart, but simply spraying in silicon lube or compressed air and/or cleaning with water and a toothbrush. Other times, the door might need to be taken apart and a piece of the channel-liner glued in place.

Fuses

Overloaded fuses are another common problem with power windows. If you cant hear anything when you flip your power windows switch, this is probably the problem. In this case, you simply need to check the power window fuse and replace it. However, sometimes the fuse may blow because there is excessive drag somewhere on the track, so checking for this is a good idea as well.

Switches

Bad switches are a common problem with power windows. Often, switches will have dirty contact points. Sometimes, the power for all of the window switches throughout the vehicles will run through a master switch located at the drivers door, and should one switch up front get stuck in an "off" position, a switch somewhere else in the car could be affected. You can usually clean out the contacts with tuner cleaner and compressed air.

Switch Rocker

Sometimes the switch mechanism itself is fine, but the actual switch handle, called the switch rocker, doesnt work. This often happens with the drivers side switches, as they get by far the most use. While you usually have to buy an entire new switch assembly, it is quite easy to swap out one of the rear window switch rockers. You simply remove the panel and take the switch out.

There is no room in your hydraulic power steering system for air. If you dont bleed your power steering of air, your power steering is almost useless because the system cant compress the air like it would power steering fluid.

Effects

If your steering becomes difficult, or your vehicle makes noise when you steer, there may be air in the power steering system. Making turns or parallel parking will usually make these issues more noticeable.

Causes

Low power steering fluid may be the problem. However, filling the power steering reservoir may only fix the problem temporarily. If there is a leak in the system somewhere, your fluid level will just drop again and the problem will return.

Considerations

If you recently changed any part of the power steering system, such as the pump or pressure hose, you probably want to bleed the system. In most cars, this is an easy process, but you may want to hire a professional.

To fix a power window, you have to know how its put together and whether it has a relay. Power window relays allow window operation when the car is turned off and may complicate the repair process.

Electromagnets

Electromagnets are only magnetic while charged. In a power window relay, the electromagnet is an iron core wrapped in coiled wire. Electricity is fed into the magnet, creating a magnetic field that lasts as long as its charge.

How Relays Work

Relays get their electricity from the battery. The resulting magnetic field pushes a switch into place. This switch connects the power window to the car battery for as long as the electromagnet stays charged.

What Power Window Relays Do

Since the relay can retain electricity in its electromagnet, it can keep the window and battery connected even after the car is turned off. The charge only lasts a short time, but long enough to roll the windows up after removing the keys from the ignition.