Hi,

I need some advice, I just put my 54 Octavia in for a service and it needed the front bearings replacing (fair enough, it was very noisy), when I got it back it drove home fine but the next morning I switched on and the red PAS warning light came on, I took it back and they have said I need to replace the rack as the torque sensor is dead and its internal to the rack. The steering is naturally really heavy and whilst its just driveable its not safe as quick evasive steering just isn't possible.

I know things die from time to time but I'm finding it hard to believe that the PAS torque sensor just happened to die at the same. This is not a cheap fix so I'm naturally reluctant to proceed without some impartial advice. I took it to a different garage (a Skoda one), but they were reluctact to get involved in diagnosis as another garage did the work.

I'm hoping there is a reset or recalibration which has been missed or something else which can be done here. Advice greatly appreciated.

Dave

First of all you're posting in the wrong place. I'm assuming you have an early Mk2, so it should be in the Octavia II forum. It's also a good idea to give some details of the engine/trim level.

The light didn't come on your way home. As it happened the next day, it is probably nothing to do with the bearing change.

The first thing to do is to check the fuses. Fuse 2 (80A) at the eBox and Fuse 3 (10A) in the main fuse holder.

The next step would be to get the car scanned and post the codes.

Hi,

Thanks, the car is an early model Mk2 Elegance with the 2.0TDI 140.

I checked fuse 3 already and that was fine, I'm not familiar with the eBox, the car was scanned at the local Skoda garage but they didn't tell me what the codes were and I have no way of checking myself :(

I hear what you're saying about it failing a day later but its a mighty co-incidence if it is unrelated.

Dave

The eBox is next to the battery. Get someone to check the wiring to the J500 steering controller.

The G269 Torque sensor is an internal part of the rack and I can't see how they could damage it. If the fault code is 00573, then you will almost certainly need a new rack.

Will do thanks, any idea what a reasonable price is for supply and fit of a rack, looks like the setup would be tricky for a non specialist garage.

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Before you go replacing the rack, get the codes read. Take a look at http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/74720-list-of-vag-com-diagnostic-system-vcds-owners/ to see if there is someone near you who can check for codes and diagnose the fault. If you find someone and they need to know what test to do then send me a PM. This will confirm the sensor and exclude any mechanical damage

A new steering rack is about £850 retail from a dealer, but my guess is if you walk into your local TPS (VAG owned parts supplier to the trade) they will serve you and it will cost a lot less. The other option is to find a used one.

Any indy VAG specialist can do the job.

it did need a rack in the end, managed to get a new one supplied and fitted for 375 at a friend of a friends garage.

New one has internal sensor also.

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