Hi

I'm new here so apologies for any faux pas

My father has a Fabia and is having trouble with the steering, he says it's getting heavy.

Have looked in the owners manual (no haynes) and can't find a pointer to the power steering fluid reservoir to check the level

Petrol engine - sorry don't know which one though - will dig the info out if you need it

Any suggestions?

Also, if the level is low is it ok to top up with ordinary transmission fluid or is something more exotic required

Thanks

Tim

Hi

Power steering tank & electric pump is in the left hand front wing, behind the fog lamp (or fog lamp plate). The filler is under the bonnet, very low down below the headlamp, built into the chassis leg - it has a green screw top and is extremely difficult to get at, more difficult to top up..

It is unlikley to be low fluid.

My PAS gets tight at low speeds (intermitent) the fault is a steering sensor somewhere on the steering rack.

I am currently arguing with Skoda about a warranty repair - so I have not fixed it.

Colin

Hi

I'm new here so apologies for any faux pas

My father has a Fabia and is having trouble with the steering' date=' he says it's getting heavy.

Have looked in the owners manual (no haynes) and can't find a pointer to the power steering fluid reservoir to check the level

Petrol engine - sorry don't know which one though - will dig the info out if you need it

Any suggestions?

Also, if the level is low is it ok to top up with ordinary transmission fluid or is something more exotic required

Thanks

Tim[/quote']

Hi

I'm new here so apologies for any faux pas

My father has a Fabia and is having trouble with the steering' date=' he says it's getting heavy.

Have looked in the owners manual (no haynes) and can't find a pointer to the power steering fluid reservoir to check the level

Petrol engine - sorry don't know which one though - will dig the info out if you need it

Any suggestions?

Also, if the level is low is it ok to top up with ordinary transmission fluid or is something more exotic required

Thanks

Tim[/quote']

Has he checked tyre pressures? Low pressure in the front tyres can cause the steering to go heavy...

Would put money on the steering angle sensor is plaing up.

FYI its mineral fluid in the PAS system not gearbox oil, dont get it wrong, costs lots of money to put right.

Does he get a warning light on the dash?

It's unlikely to be a fluid level or sensor problem if the light is off.

The system only gives assistance when required and it is possible to beat the system when first moving off or when changing direction suddenly.

Tyre pressure also plays a major part so make sure they are correct.

Cheers

Lee

The symptoms you describe were exactly the same as we had in ours last summer. It was, as others have observed, the PAS sensor. "Yaw angle sensor" I believe. A classic Fabia fault, by all accounts ...

Failure of the sensor doesnt allways put the light on as it gives an incorrect signal rather than no signal.

The steering angle sensor isnt actually a yaw sensor, that is something entirely different and only used on cars with ESP.

There is a modified part available that seals better so water doesnt get into the sensor.

Would a fault be logged for the sensor so diag kit would pick it up, or is it just a case of a "mechanic's hunch"

Chris

Thanks for the pointers guys

At least I'm not hunting in the dark now

Cheers

Tim

Would a fault be logged for the sensor so diag kit would pick it up' date=' or is it just a case of a "mechanic's hunch"

Chris[/quote']

Been in plenty that just lack assistance but dont have a light on, modded sensor and they are just fine again.

Hi

I'm new here so apologies for any faux pas

My father has a Fabia and is having trouble with the steering' date=' he says it's getting heavy.

Have looked in the owners manual (no haynes) and can't find a pointer to the power steering fluid reservoir to check the level

Petrol engine - sorry don't know which one though - will dig the info out if you need it

Any suggestions?

Also, if the level is low is it ok to top up with ordinary transmission fluid or is something more exotic required

Thanks

Tim[/quote']

Tim,

Its been documentd that the Fabia has a problem with the PAS sensor. Had mine changed, even had the pump changed !! MIne had a problem with the actual main battery lead. Note that if the lead is corroded, even the PAS suffers !! Just a point to share, FYI I drive a Fabia 1.4 8v circa 2001.