Hi, I bought a Fabia TDi ('03) elegance combi recently with 130,000 miles recorded and full s/h.

This was after owning very many VWs (Derby, 86c-type polos, MK2 & 3 Golfs, Jettas, Ventos, earlier Passats and a MK2 Scirocco) and SEATs (Ibiza and Cordoba) and an Audi.

I was ready to be impressed. Indeed, I was - initially.

I still really like the car’s design, the power and its size. The heated seats are the first I’ve had since a couple of ‘70’s SAAB in the ‘80’s – they are nice; so were the SAABs.

Anyway’ the ’03 Fabia. After a couple of weeks, the power steering started playing up and the warning lights for various functions started doing a disco impression - lovely! Around one journey in 4 is now completed without power steering…

I'm thinking that I'll change the battery at the weekend and probably swap the alternator also. Other forums have indicated that this seems to be the way to go. Either that, or changing sensors and the electric steering rack.

I’m going to have a good trawl through your site to see if any of this already covered; but any pointers – short of disposal of the car in a lake – would be welcome.

Many thanks – Keithinnotts.

Hello and welcome. Hope you can find the answers you need and get her back to full health soon.

Sounds like the power steering angle sensor needs to be replaced if it has "just deteriorated" over time as opposed to just suddenly not working. Search "angle sensor" The sensor costs around £50 from memory and takes under an hour to fit. It's just a bit fiddly getting to the sensor under the car, and routing the wiring from the steering rack to the power steering pump down on the left hand side of the car.

Welcome by the way.

Hi there and welcome

Ben

welcome to briskoda

thanks for the welcomes guys

I must say that the Fab's been going well since I posted. Yeah ok, we'll see how long that lasts... at least it's pay day tomorrow.

I'll probably just take it down to Dave at DSB in Bulwell (he's ex main Skoda dealers in Nottingham) and someone I've trusted for a few years with some of my other SEATs and VWs - a very good man and dead straight.

I'll probably pick your brains from time to time though; if that's ok

I like the feel of this community

Keith.