Broken wire on Y reg Fiesta 1.25 LX. What is it?

Uriel · 7 May 2011 at 15:45

After finding the missus hadn't checked the oil or coolant of her Fiesta 1.25 LX since september I decided to give the car a check over.

It needed about 3l of oil to bring it up to level (last serviced September). I'm guessing that's not great.

Also, took a look at the underside of the car and found this just under the aux belt (offside front). You can see the OSF tyre and the belt on one of the pulleys (think it could be the aircon compressor at a guess).

Tied the wire up with a cable tie for now to keep it out of harm's way.

What am I looking at?

Gaygle · 7 May 2011 at 15:47

Where do the pipes lead to?

Also 3 litres of oil in a car that probably only takes about 4 litres - :eek:

Uriel · 7 May 2011 at 15:49

Trouble tracing pipes as I don't have ramps. If I'm right about it being the aircon compressor it could be something to do with that. The aircon hasn't been cold for a long time.

The wire leads under the OSF headlight then I lose track of it.

andy_mk3 · 7 May 2011 at 15:50

That's a power steering pipe by the looks of it, most probably a pressure sensor.

Dale V · 7 May 2011 at 15:52

looks like power steering cooler?

Uriel · 7 May 2011 at 16:03

Think andy mk3 might be right with the power steering pressure sensor. Found some info on the internet. Given the location, the wire breaking there isn't exactly unusual.

andy_mk3 · 7 May 2011 at 16:04

Cut a plug off a scrap car, join wire-for-wire and be on your way

Ricochet J · 7 May 2011 at 16:14

What's causing you to use 3L of oil since September?

Dogbreath · 7 May 2011 at 16:31

Ricochet J said:
What's causing you to use 3L of oil since September?

That's 7-8 months, the amount of oil used worries me less than the fact that it's not been checked since the last service

Sensor is used to increase idle speed when the steering is used.

bmh.01 · 7 May 2011 at 16:40

Definetly power steering pressure switch, is used to pick the idle up when the pas pressure drops below a set level. Not 100% critical. God I can never get over how vunerable that hose seems too sticking out the bottom like that.

Uriel · 7 May 2011 at 17:00

The amount of oil seems worrying compared to my old Fabia. That didn't lose any oil between services at all.

I'm not leaving it to the missus to check her car any more. I'll be keeping an eye on fluids etc from now on. Had already been doing tyre pressures as she didn't check that often enough either.

Tesla · 7 May 2011 at 23:23

Where the hell does 3/4 of engine oil go between service intervals?

My GF's 1.25 Fiesta doesn't really use any oil.

sigma · 7 May 2011 at 23:30

Tesla said:
Where the hell does 3/4 of engine oil go between service intervals?

My GF's 1.25 Fiesta doesn't really use any oil.

Really? I think they're know for burning oil. Ours uses it, not loads but it is noticeable.

Tesla · 7 May 2011 at 23:34

The car does about 5k a year between services so perhaps that's why.

I probably only top up 1/2 litre in total in a year.

Uriel · 8 May 2011 at 07:48

In terms of running the car, the oil is definitely more of a concern. Will be checking to see if it's sprung a leak somewhere.