I've been having a power steering issue for a few weeks where it's quite intermittent!

Dean at Dirty Torque suggested the battery as its smaller than the battery tray, upon comparing with another Fabia VRS battery, mine was 540A and the other was 570A.

Could it be my battery is becoming weak? Or just that bit to small? Although it has been fine in my 18 months of ownership until a few weeks ago.

I tend to notice it more for example when driving a little spiritedly, when the power steering will just cut out mid corner and it's a little un-settling.

Haven't tried a new battery yet as I didn't want to spend around £80 - £90 only to find out it's not the battery.

Could be the battery but firstly have you checked that the battery lead connections are clean, secure and in good condition? Also the earth connection on the suspension turret? The pump draws a lot of current and needs good connections.

 

Steering angle sensors can fail too. Start with the simple stuff first.

I used to have the odd intermittent failure of power steeting at start up, and warning light would come on. If you started and revved straight away it was ok and would return to normal. If you didnt rev, it would remain off and warning light will stay lit.

 

This happend at least once a week.

 

Soon after the frost killed my battery, and i replaced, i've never had the issue again! 

Edited 6 October, 201312 yr by Gobsheene

Could be the battery but firstly have you checked that the battery lead connections are clean, secure and in good condition? Also the earth connection on the suspension turret? The pump draws a lot of current and needs good connections.

Steering angle sensors can fail too. Start with the simple stuff first.

Will give them a clean, I seem to remember that the battery area was pretty clean though but it's worth a try.

I used to have the odd intermittent failure of power steeting at start up, and warning light would come on. If you started and revved straight away it was ok and would return to normal. If you didnt rev, it would remain off and warning light will stay lit.

This happend at least once a week.

Soon after the frost killed my battery, and i replaced, i've never had the issue again!

I thought the battery could do with replacing with the winter coming up anyhow, I suppose it's worth a try, rather then being stranded one morning.

Any idea which is the best battery make to buy? I've been looking on CP4L.

I chose a lion brand one from ECP... 

 

Do fecking rightly!

Bosch S4 off CP4L, replaced mine with this a year or two back and never had any issues no matter the weather.

Replaced my battery for a bosch S5 not so long ago dan, it's awesome.

Replaced my battery for a bosch S5 not so long ago dan, it's awesome.

Will probably go with one of those then mate, only £10 dearer than the s4.

What year was the other vrs? Skoda fitted two different size batteries to the fabia anyway

Will probably go with one of those then mate, only £10 dearer than the s4.

got mine for £20 as I was owed some money off my local para dealer

What year was the other vrs? Skoda fitted two different size batteries to the fabia anyway

Mines 55, the other was 05.

  Have you checked your power steering fluid level? Had similar issues with my vrs, steering rack was leaking. Intermittent loss of power steering etc. I actually initially went for a new battery only to find it made no difference.

Have you checked your power steering fluid level? Had similar issues with my vrs, steering rack was leaking. Intermittent loss of power steering etc. I actually initially went for a new battery only to find it made no difference.

Will try check the level tomorrow, it's a bumper off job and I didn't get any time today.

Really hoping it's something that simple!

I had some issues in the winter on really cold days. I guess the cold caused some battery drain and on start up and for 10-15 minutes the power steering wouldn't work and suddenly kick in mid corner. Hope you get it sorted ok mate

I had some issues in the winter on really cold days. I guess the cold caused some battery drain and on start up and for 10-15 minutes the power steering wouldn't work and suddenly kick in mid corner. Hope you get it sorted ok mate

Just hoping it's not the pump as they are costly.

Its never really bothered me until today.....over took 2 cars and then it just cut out round the next bend, was a bit touch and go and my heart fell out of my arse at that moment.

I know the feeling mate. It's scary when it happens the other way too.

I'm getting a new battery this week Dan if you want to try mine

 

Will save me taking it to the tip too!!!! 

I'm getting a new battery this week Dan if you want to try mine

Will save me taking it to the tip too!!!!

Ok then Kev, that would be perfect, I can dispose of it for you too

My power steering has been a little dodgy after start up over the past couple weeks, only done it twice for a few seconds, had a new S5 battery last year and no signs of any leaking, could it just be a fluid top up or is there any sensors anywhere ?

My power steering has been a little dodgy after start up over the past couple weeks, only done it twice for a few seconds, had a new S5 battery last year and no signs of any leaking, could it just be a fluid top up or is there any sensors anywhere ?

Yeah there's the steering angle sensor, going from the rack to the pump. I believe these are quite a common component to go wrong and theres now actually a modified sensor. The old had a plastic end, and now is metal.

I bought one of these new ones last week but am yet to fit :/ I have the intermittant loss of power steering, along with flickering lights and whinging noise coming from somewhere in the engine bay ;D . Fingers crossed this sensor cures it!

Yeah there's the steering angle sensor, going from the rack to the pump. I believe these are quite a common component to go wrong and theres now actually a modified sensor. The old had a plastic end, and now is metal.

I bought one of these new ones last week but am yet to fit :/ I have the intermittant loss of power steering, along with flickering lights and whinging noise coming from somewhere in the engine bay ;D . Fingers crossed this sensor cures it!

Can you post a pic of the new sensor please, how much was it?

I've noticed my lights flickering and also my stereo backlight flickering recently.

Yeah there's the steering angle sensor, going from the rack to the pump. I believe these are quite a common component to go wrong and theres now actually a modified sensor. The old had a plastic end, and now is metal.

I bought one of these new ones last week but am yet to fit :/ I have the intermittant loss of power steering, along with flickering lights and whinging noise coming from somewhere in the engine bay ;D . Fingers crossed this sensor cures it!

Can you post a pic of the new sensor please, how much was it?

I've noticed my lights flickering and also my stereo backlight flickering recently.

The sensor he is talking about is for the older Fabias. It doesn't apply to a vRS. They run the seperate loom and sensor set up that all the later cars do.

Oh sorry yeah, im assuming you had an older fab like mine... Apologies pal