Hello all I am new to this forum (today) and need some advice. I recently purchased a 1996 XJ6. Car is clean and sound I have put about 5K on in the last 3 weeks with no issues. I drive 90% highway and average @32mpg which I am happy with. This morning I headed for the range, nice morning @ 21deg C, traveled 20km, got off the highway and thought the car stalled......No power steering??????, car was still running, pulled over, all belts good, no leaks, no fluid loss. Any ideas????
Regards

Sig

 

My off-the-cuff guess is that the pump went Tango Uniform. Or the pump isn't being driven.

It's a shaft driven pump, not belt driven, by the way. And as I recall there's a coupler or "dog" of some sort on the shaft. If so, perhaps it's broken?

Others will chime on with better info.

Cheers
DD

 

+1

Failed pumps usually make unusual noises. The Driving Gear (item 2) is a possible cause:



If it turns out to be more complicated, I'll move this thread to the X300 section for you. You'll get more advice there from members with the same model.

Graham

 

No change in sound or operation, quiet as a mouse and smooth running.....I am also a mechanic and I own a full service shop, this has really stummpt me

Sig

 

I reckon the Item 3, plastic coupler has died.

I have had one do that in all my years.

The AJ16 (X300) is an alloy ZF pump, as apposed to the XJ40 which is a cast iron anchor, and they are not interchangeable.

These alloy pumps are real fussy with good clean ATF, and will cease very quickly if neglected in that area.

I would carefully crack one of the cooler lines, RH side of the radiator, and see if you have fluid escaping (lots of it) with the pump running. This will establish that the pump is being actually being driven, thus eliminating Item 3 in Graham's post.

These cooler lines are "return" fluid, so no pressure as such, just lots of fluid heading back to the container.

 

Well gentlemen, this will be my first. I have over a million miles in the XJ's over the years and have never had a power steering issue, I took everyones advice, as the R&R of the pump is quite easy, was not the driving gear was not the coupling...........It was a bad pump By the grace of goodness I kept a couple of donor cars and with a minor modification to the high pressure coupling the pump off my 92 fit perfect, no more issues

Sig