Help, my aging Fabia is again giving me cause for concern.

Last year, after the usual PAS light issues, I fitted a new angle sensor which did finally cure all the usual symptoms. Today however after filling with diesel the PAS light came on again. Re-starting the engine made no difference, it was staying on this time! When I got home I disconnected the battery for 10 mins hoping this may reset something. When I re-connected the battery, the light was still on, but now absolutely no power assistance. I then ran my old freeware copy of Vagcom which gave the following:

VAG-COM Version: Release 311.2-N

Control Module Part Number: 6Q0 423 156 F

Component and/or Version: Lenkhilfe 0003

Software Coding: 00150

Work Shop Code: WSC 00000

2 Faults Found:

01288 - Terminal 30: Steering Assist

06-00 - Signal to High

01290 - Shareware Version. To Decode all DTCs

29-00 - Please Register/Activate

So with these results and with having searched here and on the net, I started to look for power supply issues. I can now confirm that the battery is fully charged, resting voltage is around 12.6, running voltage is a steady 14.5v. I've checked and cleaned the fuses (#7 in main fusebox and #3 above the battery), then went on to check and clean the plugs on the pump itself - I am getting full battery voltage and a good earth at the plug.

So what next? I'm guessing I should have the battery drop tested, but must this still be a battery issue or could the pump be dead? If it's the latter, it could mean the end for my 150k mile Furby as it's also wanting a set of tyres and a timing belt service. Just hope it's the battery.

Edited 16 February, 200917 yr by teedeeye

Tried a different battery on it - no difference.

Anyone want a cheap project car?

Might be worth dropping Lummox a PM, see if he can fit in a check for you soon - he'll know all the tricks

Might be worth dropping Lummox a PM, see if he can fit in a check for you soon - he'll know all the tricks

Thanks, I may try Lummox with a PM - his workshop's not so far from here. What I'm mindful of trying to avoid though is spending a lot on diagnostics only to be told it's going to take £££s to fix.

Cheers.

My PAS went after a connection broke off a plug under the front of the gearbox. It's under the clutch breather/bleeder area on the front of the box, 2 plugs there and 1 pin had broken off. This is the DFM to the alt so it wasn't charging at idle when started coupled with the PAS failure. When you start driving the alt self excited and all seemed well on the charging front, no battery probs, but PAS failure.

Common issue IIRC so it's worht taking the tray off and having a look

My PAS went after a connection broke off a plug under the front of the gearbox. It's under the clutch breather/bleeder area on the front of the box, 2 plugs there and 1 pin had broken off. This is the DFM to the alt so it wasn't charging at idle when started coupled with the PAS failure. When you start driving the alt self excited and all seemed well on the charging front, no battery probs, but PAS failure.

Common issue IIRC so it's worht taking the tray off and having a look

Thanks mate, I did have this issue myself about a year ago. The main symptoms were flickering headlights (and dash lights) and intermitant steering assistance - all due to fluctuating charge voltage. It wasn't untill I heard about the DFM wire that I realized the alternator charge light hadn't been coming on with ignition. Sadly, I don't think it's that wire again this time.

Appreciate the suggestion though - keep them coming if you have any other ideas.