I have 2 SDI combis, both 03s. My car has considerably lighter steering, tyre pressures are identical and tyres are similar types. Is it actually possible for them to have been set up differently? The power steering light comes on first thing in the morning on mine but goes away on restart, no such problem on my wife's.

Any thoughts?

They can be programmed to have different power steering weights on VCDS, but I am surprised the same chassis & model/age feel different.

They can be programmed to have different power steering weights on VCDS, but I am surprised the same chassis & model/age feel different.

Is there any other reason that they may be different?

I changed the weight of my steering making it heavier for a better feel so maybe yours has been changed at some time?

The power steering light coming on is due to a low voltage from your battery. Is your battery old? Do you do short trips which don't fully charge your battery? If yes buy a new battery. I had the same problem and fixed it with a nice bosh 77ah job.

Have you checked the fluid level/battery/earth? When I first got the mpi the PAS fluid was low and the angle sensor was knackered. I topped up the fluid and cleaned the angle sensor, it got better but still wasn't right. The weight kept changing to the point I lost all PAS at one point and going into a bend on a NSL stretch of road and wondering if you'll have PAS as you come out isn't fun. Eventually after checking the battery and the earth I gave up and ordered a new angle sensor and the problem hasn't come back. The new sensor is the revised part with metal base, i'm not sure at what point this was factory fitted from.

It's very possible that they are programmed differently.

Mine was on number 1 (lightest) when most other's are on 2 as standard so either it was programmed differently to the other at the factory or someone has tinkered with it at some point.

It is also possible that there is a fault on the car with the lighter steering.

Phil

I've always had the light first thing problem with my car. It was solved partially by a new battery last year but still comes on sometimes due, I think, to the starter taking all the current on a cold start. In the summer it doesn't do it at all. I live with it. I'll get someone to have a look at the setting on my wife's car.

Thanks all.