Hi. I know this topic has been covered, but the search facility on the forum is useless since the site was revampled a few months ago. I have searched for power steering problems and lights flickering and none of the results are to do with these problems : So please help me :

Problem :

Car is a 2001 Fabia 1.9 SDI Estate with 120 000 miles on the clock.

Power steering intermittently gets heavy / very light whilst driving. When I have the lights on they flicker, but not every time I drive. Sometimes the power steering light comes on, about once a week.

I have had the car checked on a VAG system and there were no errors or codes with the PAS or alternator on the ECU memory.

I have had the mechanic test the the alternator and battery, Sods law, the lights won't flicker when the car is at the mechanic... the fluid level on the pump reservoir is ok.

Earth wires on the battery, engine ok, alternator wires checked, all ok.

When the lights flickered the other day I measured the voltage across the battery terminals with the car idling it measures 14.4v. When the lights flicker it drops to about 13.6 / 13.8 volts.

I have been told by the mechanic that it could be the alternator... or the steering angle sensor... but I have read some posts using google that the battery could be at fault. The battery measures 12.6volts before starting the car. It cranks over easily and the car starts every time.

Here's my delema :

Do I replace the battery @ £70

Steering angle sensor on ebay @ £95

Alternator @ £110

or do I replace all 3 at a cost of £275?

Thanks in advance.

I quick note on batteries, voltage isnt all important.

What size is the battery on your car?

Worth noting that a battery might put out 14v, doesnt mean the current supplied by the battery is sufficient.

I quick note on batteries, voltage isnt all important.

What size is the battery on your car?

Worth noting that a battery might put out 14v, doesnt mean the current supplied by the battery is sufficient.

My battery is a 72amp hour with 700CCA, I have owned the car for 18months and I have not changed the battery yet, it may not be holding enough amps?

72Ah should be ok providing its in good order,

Has it been load tested?

but the search facility on the forum is useless since the site was revampled a few months ago. I have searched for power steering problems and lights flickering and none of the results are to do with these problems : So please help me :

Another member answered this search problem recently and recommended this option which I now use and is excellent.

Just enter this - site:briskoda.net *console bushes*

Obviuosly put your search words where the BOLD text is.

Save it as a favourite for future use.

DB.

Edited 18 September, 201015 yr by mogwye

Just to add, mogwye means into google.

I'm inclined to think it's the battery too.

Had similar probs with my vRS until I changed mine.

Also my alarm kept sounding. Usually late at night when

the temparature was low. First time it was at about 2am

Got used to taking my keys to bed in case it went off late again.

Which it did, several times.

That said, I've recently found out that something else may have been causing

my alarm problems. However, I did get the flickering lights and whatnot too so it

could have been a combination of factors.

To be sure I bought one of these---> http://www.tayna.co.uk/Type-096-Varta-Silver-Dynamic-Car-Battery-P3197.html

Touch wood it's been okay since, alarm too.

Car is a 2001 Fabia 1.9 SDI Estate with 120 000 miles on the clock.

Power steering intermittently gets heavy / very light whilst driving. When I have the lights on they flicker, but not every time I drive. Sometimes the power steering light comes on, about once a week.

I have had the car checked on a VAG system and there were no errors or codes with the PAS or alternator on the ECU memory.

I've got to say these are the classic PAS Pump failure symptoms, my Fabia SDi went that way before failing completely, and my vRS is slowly starting exhibit the dimming lights issue with a brand new battery. There is a fundamental fault with the early pumps, It's obvious if you've swapped one yourself!!! Eventually you'll get the fault code on the ECU, but not immediately. Water ingress gets into the PAS Pump's own ECU (on the front of the pump) and eventually it gives up. There is a rubberish jacket around the pump to dampen the noise (I suspect) and protect it from the water etc.. but it cracks and falls apart. When you fit a new pump you have to gaffer tape the jacket back on.. it's an awful design.. but hey ho.. A new pump will set you back ~ £200 + fitting costs. It's fiddly to do it yourself and is easier with two people.

I've had the power steering angle sensor go as well.. you've done well to get to 120k without a problem.

Thanks,

Phil.

Replaced the battery last Wednesday with a VW / Skoda genuine 72ah battery. Set me back £45 from a guy on ebay.

Light flickering and power steering issue continued.

Ordered a new alternator and fitted that on Saturday, 120amp alternator charging fine. Set me back £105 for a new unit on ebay,

Today going to work the lights start flickering again and on the way home lights were flickering and PAS light came on. 28 mile round trip of flickering lights. Steering still getting heavy / very light intermittently.

Where to go next????

Already spent £150 on the car...

Pump or sensor?

Anyone know where I can get a pump and sensor at a decent price. Not to sure about used pumps... could be back in the same boat in a few months...

Am thinking of getting one of these to check for faults on the ECU. :

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220666099588&actionType=singinformore.

Which fuse is the PAS on the top of the battery?

Its AMPs and not VOLTs that is needed from a battery to do heavy/prolonged electrical usage, and a sound ALTERNATOR to keep battery fully charged.

Flickering lights give rise to a faulty alternator, get it checked out.

Just adding, get the battery tested by the likes of Kwik-Fit or such, its free

Its best to get everything checked first, rather than go head-long and buying something that was not needed.

Edited 28 September, 201015 yr by giandougl

Where to go next????

Already spent £150 on the car...

Pump or sensor?

The flickering lights would make me guess at the pump... A Diagnostics will show if it's the sensor or the pump. If you get a sensor fault you can get something like this:

01288 - Terminal 30: Steering Assist
07-10 - Signal to Low - Intermittent

I can't remember what fault code I got with the pump failure.

You're looking at ~ 200 quid from euro car parts for a new one. Don't get a second hand one, don't get a refurb if you can help it. You'll end up with the same pump again and it'll fail eventually. Getting a new one is worth the money as they are a slightly better design and the Pump ECU is in a potted enclosure and hasn't anywhere for the water to get in. Post on this forum to see if someone locally has got vag-com and a cable who'd be able to help you out with the diagnostics.

Phil.

The flickering lights would make me guess at the pump... A Diagnostics will show if it's the sensor or the pump. If you get a sensor fault you can get something like this:

01288 - Terminal 30: Steering Assist
07-10 - Signal to Low - Intermittent

I can't remember what fault code I got with the pump failure.

You're looking at ~ 200 quid from euro car parts for a new one. Don't get a second hand one, don't get a refurb if you can help it. You'll end up with the same pump again and it'll fail eventually. Getting a new one is worth the money as they are a slightly better design and the Pump ECU is in a potted enclosure and hasn't anywhere for the water to get in. Post on this forum to see if someone locally has got vag-com and a cable who'd be able to help you out with the diagnostics.

Phil.

Cheers for that Phil.

I had a quick look through the fog light cover on the bumper hoping to see if I could see if it is a Koyo or TRW pump or to see if I could see the part number but the plastic rubbery cover is in the way.

Does anyone know which pump would be on a 51 reg SDI?

I am based in Nuneaton and work in Coventry if anyone reading this post has a vag-com cable and wants to help out.

There is a Euro Car in Coventry, will call in tomorrow to get a price from them...

You don't want to check for just fault codes in the steering controller, you need to look at the measuring blocks and see what angular velocity is reported by the sensor when you turn the wheel. I've seen them report 0 degrees/second whilst the pump is spinning up and drawing 60 amps, that'll make your lights flicker on tick over.

You don't want to check for just fault codes in the steering controller, you need to look at the measuring blocks and see what angular velocity is reported by the sensor when you turn the wheel. I've seen them report 0 degrees/second whilst the pump is spinning up and drawing 60 amps, that'll make your lights flicker on tick over.

My car does flicker when stationary on tick over. Would that be the sensor or the pump if that were the case of 0 degrees/second movement?

Would this kit give me the capability of measuring blocks?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220670919689&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Thanks

It should do, but VCDS lite is a cut down version of VCDS and may require the purchase of a software license from Ross Tech to gain more functionality. If it works, you can't go wrong for £20.

If the angular velocity shown in the measuring block does not correlate to how fast you are turning the wheel, then the first suspect would be the sensor. It's not coincidence that Skoda supply these sensors on an exchange basis, part number 6Q2423291AX if I recall correctly.

Well I bought this : VAG-COM cable for £8-39.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220663080823

I used VCDS lite with it and it gives live info on steering angle speed. alternator charging volts, power steering pump amps and rpm. Very useful, I could have used this to diagnose the steering sensor fault.

I fitted a new steering angle sensor today (same day as vag-com cable arrived) and I can say (touch wood) that the steering is sorted out. Pump is only pulling power when the steering is turned. I took the car for a drive with my brother in the passenger seat with his laptop and we monitored the data coming into the laptop via the cable. All is OK now.

Sensor from Skoda Coventry was £122 + £30 surcharge for exchange. I will take the old part back on Monday for my £30 refund.

Thanks for all the replies. I will keep you posted should I have any problems.

I would recommend the VAG-Com cable to anyone as this has been great in testing the car after I fitted the new steering angle sensor.

I would have said change sensor FIRST based on initial symptoms. Its exactly how mine first started going, then it just got worse and worse until it died. vagcom confirmed all this too.

I fitted a new steering angle sensor today (same day as vag-com cable arrived) and I can say (touch wood) that the steering is sorted out. Pump is only pulling power when the steering is turned. I took the car for a drive with my brother in the passenger seat with his laptop and we monitored the data coming into the laptop via the cable. All is OK now.

I'm glad you sorted it out.. I went through two angle sensors and a pump before things sorted themselves out.. I managed to get an OEM sensor, new and boxed from ebay for around half that.. but the steering wasn't completely dead at that point, just intermittent.

Well done,

Phil.

I know this is a thread from the dark ages but having similar problems with my vrs changed my battery thinking it was on the way out and it cured the problem for around 3 days now the dipping headlights are back.

My steering wheel is off centre from when the previous owner fitted coilovers would this cause problems with the steering sensor and possibly cause the sensor to read incorrectly?

Any comments would be great

Thanks

Kraig

My steering is off centre and has been for 3 years. The steering angle sensor only monitors circular movement and angle change. If you use a vag cable with a laptop you could very quickly diagnose the problem. I would recomend doing this before buying any other parts. Where are you based? have a look on ebay for a vag cable. Very easy to use, the most dificult part was finding the port slot on the car for the cable. Touch wood but my car's ps has been fine since then. My only frustration i have now is an annoying knock on the front os suspension that i can't seem to diagnose...

I'll have to try and find one on there

I'm around 20 mins away from Peterborough

I've gota annoying squeak from my os aswell need to get some spray on there and see if it sorts it bloody thing

Same problem.

I'd try vagcom but the ECU port is completely dead (fuse is OK). Any ideas?

Hi. I know this topic has been covered, but the search facility on the forum is useless since the site was revampled a few months ago. I have searched for power steering problems and lights flickering and none of the results are to do with these problems : So please help me :

Problem :

Car is a 2001 Fabia 1.9 SDI Estate with 120 000 miles on the clock.

Power steering intermittently gets heavy / very light whilst driving. When I have the lights on they flicker, but not every time I drive. Sometimes the power steering light comes on, about once a week.

I have had the car checked on a VAG system and there were no errors or codes with the PAS or alternator on the ECU memory.

I have had the mechanic test the the alternator and battery, Sods law, the lights won't flicker when the car is at the mechanic... the fluid level on the pump reservoir is ok.

Earth wires on the battery, engine ok, alternator wires checked, all ok.

When the lights flickered the other day I measured the voltage across the battery terminals with the car idling it measures 14.4v. When the lights flicker it drops to about 13.6 / 13.8 volts.

I have been told by the mechanic that it could be the alternator... or the steering angle sensor... but I have read some posts using google that the battery could be at fault. The battery measures 12.6volts before starting the car. It cranks over easily and the car starts every time.

Here's my delema :

Do I replace the battery @ £70

Steering angle sensor on ebay @ £95

Alternator @ £110

or do I replace all 3 at a cost of £275?

Thanks in advance.

Hello,i had a very similar problem with my vrs.I changed the steering angle sensor and pump which achieved nothing.This was followed by lots of head scratching by two very good mechanics as they could not fathom what else could cause the problem.It turned out the problem was part of the wiring loom had been rubbing on a driveshaft and had rubbed through the plastic outer coating through to the core causing it to short out intermitantly.This might not be whats causing your problem but well worth checking before you go spending on the parts you mention.

Craig.