Is steering a TDI supposed to feel heavier than an MPI? I know the diesel engine is heavier...but would've thought the PAS should help out. I could parallel park, 3-point turn etc with one finger on the wheel of the MPI...this one takes a little more oomph. Also seems to put up more resistance if I try to turn quickly.

Battery's giving out 14.56V with the alternator and 14.34V with headlights and heater on....which I think rules out weak battery. Fuse no 7 is not blown, and the big fuses on the battery look fine...no bending or cracking, albeit a bit dusty.

The next thing to tackle is the fluid reservoir cunningly placed under the battery, right? Removing the battery housing is going to be a pain :(

I'm supposed to use G004000M2, right? Which of the cheaper options on ECP will suffice? This? http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Skoda_Fabia_1.9_2002/p/car-accessories/engine-oils-and-car-fluids/auxiliary-fluids/power-steering-fluid/?522770812&0&cc5_302

You can change the weight of the steering with vcds, not tried it my self though. http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/223289-adjusting-steering-weight/

Thanks...didn't realise that was possible. What about the steering having more resistance when I try and turn it quickly? Is that a VCDS thing too?

You can alter the assistance using VAGcom. Anything from finger tip light (which I tried and is definatly not something I could get used to), to quite heavy (which makes parking a bit more hassle, but you soon get used to it)

There's 5 settings to choose from, so there's def a setting which would suit

. What about the steering having more resistance when I try and turn it quickly?

That shouldn't be happening. That happens when the PAS is not fully working.

^^

Oh no...the dreaded fabia PAS issues then. Read Tech1e's sticky and the potential costs involved with steering column change freaked me out a bit. Booked in for cambelt on Wednesday...should I just ask them to look into the PAS, or is there anything else I could DIY given the battery and fuses are fine?

My SDI does this on cold mornings on 1st start but puts the PAS light back on. To get rid of the light I turn off then start it again 99.99% of the time this clears the light and gives full PAS. Does yours exhibit the symptoms all the time or just after first start? My symptoms are, almost certainly, down to insufficient power available from the battery immediately following a cold start due to voltage drop. The second start takes much less power so everything works as it should.

Unfortunately it seems to happen all the time...the light came on once 15 miles into a journey a couple of days ago...which went away after a restart like yours. I notice it the most when I'm trying to park up after a journey, but no PAS light...so can't be due to insufficient power post-cold start like in your case.

Thanks for your insight.

Just out of interest, if the light is out at the time, as long as the PAS works partially the car won't fail the MOT on it.

That's a bit of a relief....but if I don't get it sorted soon, is it not likely to get worse? Like if there's a hidden leak or something?

I suspect electrical so unless the item packs up I suspect things will carry on as they are. Sorry can't help anymore, got experiences but no answers on this.

That's okay...appreciate your input though, thank you!

mine had a few issues with power steering too a while ago, sometimes fine sometimes not working at all.

turned out it was the PAS sensor. quite a cheap and easy fix if ur willing to give it a go!

found this might be useful to you -

http://www.fabia-vrs.com/technical-info/pas-sensor-change/

H

Did you need VCDS to establish it was the sensor? That guide makes replacement seem straightforward enough...

Did you need VCDS to establish it was the sensor? That guide makes replacement seem straightforward enough...

could tell something was up and the fact it occasionally worked fine made me think it wasnt the pump

got it checked out with diagnostics at the dealer and turned out was the sensor.

i think by the sounds of what the dealer said etc its a pretty easy fix and pretty common too.

might be worth finding someone with Vagcom to see if the sensor is flashing up a fault code.

my PAS light only came on occasionally tho - so might not show any fault

good luck! H

Thanks, H! Will try to chase someone up via this forum. Was it difficult removing the fog light and grill as per the instructions in your link (assuming you replaced it yourself)?

unfortunately I never came across the guide until after I had it diagnosed and repaired by the dealer.

wish i had tho cos it looks reasonably simple - probably a case of easier said than done though!

if you can find someone with Vag-com or pop it into a dealer u might be able to identify the fault.

if my memory serves me right was circa. £100 from a main dealer.

im sure a local garage wud beat that price for you if you cant have a go urself.

found this - might be useful

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/57382-replacing-the-fabia-pas-sensor/

regards

For completeness.........turns out it was water-ingress in the sensor and low PAS fluid. Steers beautifully now

Nice to have the result published.

Nice to have the result published.

I was interested to hear your remarks about cold starting and voltage drop too. Our SDI often either leaves the PAS light on after start or it pops on after a second or so of the engine starting. It is as you say normally on first start of the day (but not exclusively). A restart always clears the light and its never come on whilst driving so your theory seems pretty plausible!

Mines doing this when it's cold too. I have a better battery to go

on but can't get the old one off as the retention bolt is seized. Need to get a new bolt and

retention plate before I continue my attempts to get it off. :(