2001 740il power steering problem

My power steering has gotton very tight all of a sudden for no apparent reason. I have 53k miles on it. It almost feels as though there is NO power steering. The fluids are normal and no error message was found on the computer readout. I have another appointment with BMW dealer next week. Any ideas?

I have a 97 740il and is doing the same thing any idea what is the problem?.

Perhaps it just needs to be adjusted. I believe there is a nut on the PS pump that you can adjust, but I'm not too familiar with the E38 (or was 2001 the E65 chassis?).

But before you just go off and adjust this, check the hoses to the pump first, for cracks, leaks, etc.

i check all the hose and they seem fine but some time my turn singnal dosen't work.if i lefted in the turn position and tab on the bake then it come on and it the same with the on board computer..any idea???:banghead:

Not too sure about the turn signal problem...I'd perhaps look into knackered relays or control modules. It's possible that the turn signal, brake, and OBC circuits are all controlled by one module and hence the reason why they aren't coming on until you activate the brake circuit.

Perhaps it just needs to be adjusted. I believe there is a nut on the PS pump that you can adjust, but I'm not too familiar with the E38 (or was 2001 the E65 chassis?).

But before you just go off and adjust this, check the hoses to the pump first, for cracks, leaks, etc.Don't touch the adjusting nut. That nut is there to adjust the gear clearance after extreme wear. If this was the case the steering would be very sloppy, not tight. In 15 years of being a master BMW tech I've never adjusted one for tightness. Just a thought

hi lincolmaster do you have any idea where are these relay and modules at or what can cause that...TAI

I'm not too certain actually...

I can show you where they are on my 02/1990 E32 750iL, and that may give you an idea as to where to look, but I've scowered the internet trying to see where these relays are located...I'll keep looking.

In the mean time, muse over these pics:

This is under the left rear seat. I have the electric rear seats so the left and right come out individually. There was also a bench seat that came out as one unit.
http://thevirtualplanets.com/Alarm%20Pictures/IM000573%20-%20Copy.JPG

And in the engine compartment...
http://thevirtualplanets.com/IM000413.jpg

These are the only two places that I know of where relays are located for major car functions like lights, heaters, aircon, etc.

The cause? Age would be my first instinct. There have seen instances where water or moisture have gotten into the relay compartments and knackered stuff, but that's pretty rare. They are usually sealed pretty good, unless someone who has worked on your car messed up the seals.

I'll keep searching around and see what I can find for ya!

Here's an interesting topic for your reading:

http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e38/3938250-1.html

Also, there are relays above the battery (as mentioned in the link above), under the fuse box in the engine compartment, and some just infront of the glove box. Apparently there are 20 relays in total for the entire car.

Keep the Roadfly E38 forum link handy. The archives on that site are very handy when used!:grinyes:

You also might be interested in this search:
http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e38/search.php?st=light+control+relays&ps=20&m=natural&o=default

Also, read the last post by DutchDaniel on this post:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=54111

thanks lincolmaster80 for your time.the car has relay and fuse under the back seat my is empty there nothing there anyway i do have some relay in the back and there is 1 under steering column..once again thanks i'll keep you updated..