My car: Fabia Diesel 1.9 TDI Estate 2003.

I have read a lot on the site about power steering issues and apologise if I'm going over old ground.

The power steering light comes on intermitently and when it's on the power steering doesn't work properly. When its not on it works fine. The other possible related issue is a slight dimming of the head light when I turn the steering wheel. The power steering light will turn off if I drive and turn the wheel a few times, stop, turn the engine off, and turn back on. Could it be a angle sensor issue? If so would the following part be the right replacement: 6Q0423445

Or can anyone suggest any other possible solution?

Thanks

When I use my power steering when car stationary the lights dim for me also. Always thought this were normal

It sounds like an angle sensor to me. If it's bringing up the dash light it is probably logging a fault. If you don't want to pay a garage to read the fault codes, grab a £6 eBay VCDS lead and Ross Tech VCDS lite (free)

It sounds like an angle sensor to me. If it's bringing up the dash light it is probably logging a fault. If you don't want to pay a garage to read the fault codes, grab a £6 eBay VCDS lead and Ross Tech VCDS lite (free)

You serious? You would plug your car into a £6 piece of kit? Purchase the real cable and software from Ross-Tech

Get your battery checked out first, same symptoms as one of my 2003 car.

DB.

You serious? You would plug your car into a £6 piece of kit? Purchase the real cable and software from Ross-Tech

Do you have any idea of how much a dumb cable costs to manufacture? Yes you use a £6 cable as it's fit for purpose. Purchasing a £263 cable to do what Ross tech will allow you legitimately for free using VCDS lite and a dumb cable isn't exactly sensible.

Just ordered a £6 cable on ebay. I refuse to pay more than that for a basic cable!

Battery- I havent used the car for the past 12 days and went to start it this morning and it struggled and then the battery went flat. Could that be a symptom of a battery on its way out? Or is that nothing to worry about?

Angles sensor- would this be the right one: 6Q0423445 ?

Thanks

Still sounds like the battery, get it checked before replacing the angle sensor, obviously it wont work if there is not enough power passing through it.

My money is on the battery.

DB.

Actually, I had these problems with a new battery and turned out the new battery was duff. I had it checked out at a garage who said it was fine but when I eventually convinced the retailer the battery was faulty, my symptoms went away. When you get your lead, let us know what code you get. In fact there is a Ross WIKI site which I refer to and that should help you identify the culprit.

As for the angle sensor, I'd call up your local Skoda garage, give them your reg get a price and then ask for the part number. Then see if you can source it elsewhere cheaper (If the angle sensor is duff). I think skoda will take your old one back and refund you around £40 if so but worth checking

Right, I finally got VCDS lite to work and I've found this fault code is relation to power steering-

01317- control module in instrument cluster (J285)

79-00-please check fault codes

Anyone know what this actually means?

Right, I finally got VCDS lite to work and I've found this fault code is relation to power steering-

01317- control module in instrument cluster (J285)

79-00-please check fault codes

Anyone know what this actually means?

Not sure you will get much help to be honest bud - You have openly told people you are using the cracked copy.

Not sure you will get much help to be honest bud - You have openly told people you are using the cracked copy.

Dont know what you mean by a cracked copy but VCDS lite is a official downloadable program from Ross-Tech.

Dont know what you mean by a cracked copy but VCDS lite is a official downloadable program from Ross-Tech.

Totally mis-read the thread - My bad.

Ive been following these posts about PAS sensor for a couple of days, Ive recently bought a Fabia 1.4 16v and have already fitted a re-con alternator and a new battery. I am experiencing the same fault (pas light on intermittantly, although no loss of assistance and lights flickering). also a click from the pump at the same time. I am wondering if my new battery isn,t up to the job as its less than 60ah or weather the culprit is more likely to be the sensor. How easy is it to locate and replace/clean this sensor without the car on a ramp?

thank you in advance.

Firstly a 40a/h battery is the minimum recommended, I fitted a Bosch that's rated at 54a/h, assuming your battery is charged and alternator is working I wouldn't expect a brand new battery to struggle even if it was on the low side of things. If you have a quick search for angle sensor then you'll find some useful information on diagnosing angle sensor failure and other possible causes.

Having swapped out an angle sensor out it could be done using two axle stands on the front, I did it with ramps/chocks but it would be easier with the car up on a garage ramp. It took from memory about an hour from start to finish because on my car the sensor and loom are one part and you have to disconnect the loom at the pump (p/s front fog light area) and trace it back to the d/s steering column. I found a dealer was the cheapest for the part as they paid a rebating when you return the old one and multiple versions exist.