Hello,

I've read a few previous threads relating to power steering issues, which have been very helpful. I'm still a bit stuck though, so would welcome whatever advice folk can offer.

I have a 2002 2.0l estate - but no power steering. The trouble started when my wife tried to get the car out of the drive, to find that there was no power assistance. The PAS seemed to have died in its sleep.

I had assumed it was completely dead, until I got a bit of assistance leaving work the other day, this was enough to get me out of the parking space before it went again. Got me thinking about dodgy earths or an intermittent fault on the angle sensor perhaps.

Since then I have checked the battery - one year old, works fine to start the car, no dimming of headlights, and had it checked out at the local motor factors. Seems to be good.

The fuses are OK, and there is power at the big wires on the PAS pump.

I've cleaned the earths - both the big one by the battery, and the smaller ones down by the pump itself - I found two in there, one def for the pump, but cleaned them both up just in case. They actaully seemed pretty clean to start with but gave them a quick tidy up with wet or dry anyway.

I've topped up the fluid in the pump, it was just at the bottom of the dipstick under the lid, now its at the top of the mark. No difference.

I'm still left with dead power steering. The dash light (steering wheel and exclamation mark) is on.

My questions at this stage are:

Can fault code scanners read the PAS? Mine is a cheapy, which only does engine codes, the local back street garage didn't seem too sure. Is it just a case of getting a dealer to do the diagnostics, or can you recommend a code reader?

Is there a way (other than fault code scan) to check the operation of the angle sensor and/or pump? I've been in at the pump connectors once already, so if there is an expected voltage or open/close circuit that is needed I'm confident I can check that - is there a way to 'trick' the pump into operating (and confirm the sensor is faulty)?

I'm reluctant to just replace the pump and sensor - the price from the dealer was a bit more than the book price for the car.... At least it's not a KOYO pump, they seem to be like hens teeth.

Your thoughts would be appreciated - is it time to to look on autotrader?

thanks in advance

T

Stick it into garage get them to do their testing stuff, and try to isolate problem.

This is rather than second guess on what it could be, or not be?.

If they find it and fix it, you might actually save some money in the long run.

There are error codes for the power steering system. Presume they are stored on the ECU.

Have you scanned for codes with your device?

SN

Edited 22 June, 201214 yr by Steve Neate

Thanks for the replies.

Steve: My code reader covers engine, abs, airbag and automatic transmission (if I had it) - I'm using this sort of thing http://www.amazon.co.uk/U281-OBD-2-CAN-BUS-SCANNER-SKODA/dp/B001C9V89A, which I've found to be pretty good up to now. It doesn't give me a code for the steering though. This leads me to suspect I either need a better scanner (recommendations welcome), or as Baldy Guy suggests, just take it in.

BG: I'm totally with you on the second guessing thing - that was what prompted the thought about somehow being able to simulate the correct sensor input to the pump, to rule that out. I'll confess I've not been overwhelmed by the nearest dealer, and the extra miles to the next one are putting me off a bit with the steering fault.

thanks again.

T

Thanks for the replies.

Steve: My code reader covers engine, abs, airbag and automatic transmission (if I had it) - I'm using this sort of thing http://www.amazon.co...A/dp/B001C9V89A, which I've found to be pretty good up to now. It doesn't give me a code for the steering though. This leads me to suspect I either need a better scanner (recommendations welcome), or as Baldy Guy suggests, just take it in.

BG: I'm totally with you on the second guessing thing - that was what prompted the thought about somehow being able to simulate the correct sensor input to the pump, to rule that out. I'll confess I've not been overwhelmed by the nearest dealer, and the extra miles to the next one are putting me off a bit with the steering fault.

thanks again.

T

If its not safe to drive, then you definitely want ANY garage to come and pick the car up, whether a few miles extra or not.

It you feel happier using an independent garge then use that garage, they are probably as well trained as any dealership garage mechanic I would have thought.

Might sound silly.. but I had a problem; error in VAG com saying there was a fault with the sensor. Unplugged the sensor yesterday to find water had got into it, dried it out, put it back in and cleared the codes; voila <3

Replace the sensor with a new part from the dealer (Silsbury are the cheapest, at least two versions exist so check with a dealer), it may be OK short term but it will drop out again sooner or later, mid corner, maneuvering out of a parking space, it's not safe to drive and in the event of an accident if it were picked up on you suddenly have a bigger problem especially as you knew about it.

Hi guys. Some progress to report (I think).

1. car is safely on the drive.

2. I managed to get the car plugged into VCDS lite and get the power steering codes off it.

I get two fault codes:

01288 - terminal 30, steering assist, signal too high.

01290 - reference voltage steering assist short (but can't be sure if it was to plus or to ground).

The ross tech site suggests checking fuses, battery/power supply, checking the wiring and replacing the sensor. Done the first few, but too many midgies to be messing about with wiring tonight.

I also read the measuring value blocks (logged for a bit with engine running, turning the wheel), which tell me:

block 002:

steering aid sensor angular velocity = 0 deg/s

pump motor speed = 0

block 004:

steering aid sensor reference voltage = correct

voltage (terminal 15) = 14.18 (some fluc****ion between 14.09 and 14.26)

Does this confirm what was suggested above - faulty sensor (or broken wire somewhere between sensor and pump)? I think the system doesn't 'know' i'm turning the wheel, so the pump doesn't try to help me.

The first code (terminal 30 too high) doesn't seem to fit with the voltage reported - refeference voltage showing as correct? Or are they unrelated?

I'd welcome your thoughts, but reckon I'm going to get a sensor to start with.

thanks

T

Edited 25 June, 201214 yr by twicewithchips

Update: my PAS light is back on... obviously isn't fixed after all -.-

I had a similar issue with a previous car. My problem was the power wire that went to the PAS pump was dodgy so you would wiggle it and sort of push it in towards the pump and it would work and if you pulled on it slightly it would stop working.

could give this a go.

Update: my PAS light is back on... obviously isn't fixed after all -.-

I don't have a crystal ball, honest

Hello,

By way of a quick update, I'm afraid to say that my feeble attempts to diagnose the problem have failed. But... the steering is back to normal (for now at least). The only explanation I can think of is that we'd had a spell of short trips before the problem, and having had the battery charged up (even though it tested OK) must have given it the final top up that it needed. I've read elsewhere on here that the PAS is one of the first systems to go if the battery level drops a bit. Oddly, I got a high voltage reading at terminal 30 (18 v or so), which didn't seem to tie in with a low battery. If anyone could explain that I'd be grateful.

Anyway, can I say thank you for your thoughts, and I can definitely recommend VCDS (especially for measuring value blocks), and the info here - http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/186217-fabia-power-steering-problems/ - as the guide suggests there's only a few things that can go wrong. Trouble is, it seems most of them are expensive.

Thanks

T

What about the load sensor wire fault? That made my PAS go intermittant. But then again, it hasnt shown a code up so i dunno. But maybe worth a check

I think I know what this is, as same has happened on my 1.2 Fabia.

The PAS pump is at the front under the bumper. Mine has gotten wet (we live in England!) and god knows why they put it somewhere so close to the road.

The dashboard keeps cutting out, because the PAS pump connections are wet and surging the rest of the car. Replacing the unit may work as it's probably fried, but what's to stop it happening again?

I'm considering civil action against Skoda. On the civil law balance of probabilities, is it probable that I have suffered a financial loss (repairs etc) as a result of a poorly placed/car design. I think so. Whether that works is another thing.