power steering fault

[racin' skoda]

hi iv got a y reg 1.9 tdi fabia estate thats just failed an mot on a " malfunction of the power steering" (among other things). its an intermitent fault that may not come for a few days  and only seems to come on at low speeds... like 10mph pulling up to a curb  . the steering will just lose all assistance then come back a few seconds later. now iv heard this is a common thing but the thing im not sure on is there is no power steering light coming up on the panel when i start the car up, is this normal? any help would be much appreciated.

[mogwye]

It could be the battery, what ampere is it rated at, get it checked out.

 

DB

[racin' skoda]

im gonna get it checked out, does your power steering light come on then go out when the ignition is turned? cheers mate

[mogwye]

It did when the battery needed replacing.

 

DB

[racin' skoda]

yea thanks for that.can anyone tell me if when you first turn on the ignition and all the fault lights come on to prove to you that they are working before they all go out if everything is ok.do you see a power steering light come on at this stage and then go out....the reason i ask is there is no warning light showing on the initial ignition turn on procedure .and wondering if some one had disabled something to stop the light illuminating .i will be getting it plugged in and have read a lot on the forum about steering issues.and will keep you updated ...thanks...

[racin' skoda]

anyone have an idea about this? does a steering warning light come up then go back out on ignition to prove the light is there and working. thanks

[mogwye]

Just checked.

 

If it's the light that looks like a steering wheel with an exclamation mark, then YES it does illuminate on turning the ignition key to the first stage and then goes out before the key is turned to the second stage prior to the engine starting.

 

DB

[rossa123]

I had this problem in my first 1.9tdi - most peeps seemed to suggest that it was because the battery was getting old so there was insufficient power to do everything and because the power steering uses the most the light comes on indicating a failure.

 

I would suggest the cheapest first option would be change the battery. 

[racin' skoda]

mmm.the plot thickens.since owning the car there has never been a steering wheel symbol when turning the ignition to the first stage .i now wonder if somebody has disabled something to hide a steering fault.i must admit i did wonder why no light came on at first ignition stage but never investigated it until now.i have had A POKE around and came up with fault code 00816 power steering sensor g250 wont clear open or short to b+ ...i have taken a reading of the pins where the sensor is fitted to the pump they read 13.6 volt black / 12.6 volt green / negative/earth brown...i thought there would be one + one- and nothing on signal wire ....any help please... 

Just checked.

 

If it's the light that looks like a steering wheel with an exclamation mark, then YES it does illuminate on turning the ignition key to the first stage and then goes out before the key is turned to the second stage prior to the engine starting.

 

DB

[racin' skoda]

hi.just thought of something else.i read that if the sensor cable is pulled out of the pump socket.that it puts the steering in emergency mode .is this true and if it does what exactly is happening when in this mode.is pump running or not...any comments appreciated please....

[racin' skoda]

does anyone know were i would be able to find info on what readings i should be getting out of the pump angle sensor socket with engine running with sensor detatched.....and what readings i should be getting out of the angle sensor not connected to vehicle...or any test procedures......the cable from the plug to the sensor is ok as i have removed it by cutting it as close as i dare to the sensor and the plug and this proved the cable was ok...thanks... any interest or comments welcomed...come on you techie guys where are you...

[racin' skoda]

hi.could anyone shed any light ...as far as if t3 3pin connector is pulled off the power steering pump unit.what happens..does pump not run at all or does pump run all the time without being able to be turned off or is there an emergency mode giving limited steering assistance...any thoughts on this appreciated thanks...

[fabrel]

I don't know about an emergency mode, but you should be able to read the angle sensor values in real time using vcds and the cheap blue vag 409 cable off ebay. 

[racin' skoda]

thanks fabrel...there has been some diagnostics plug in done...but the reason i am trying to test things with a multimeter is that maybe if there is a fault in the wiring ...the plugin can sometimes lead you down the wrong path giving you false readings maybe caused by a break in wires or wires touching when chaffed ...i am steadily getting a good understanding of problems and cures with information from this forum which i thank all users for...ps.if you read the ninth reply on this post you can look at the results from when plugged in...thanks again for your reply...

[racin' skoda]

sorry fabrel...didnt answer your question did i ....when plugged in fault code 00816 power steering sensor g250 open or short b+ came up   ... also when steering wheel was being turned amps were changing higher and lower but no reading on angle degrees that stayed at 0 all the time ....thanks...

[fabrel]

Sounds like it's your sensor. The value should read 0 when the wheels are straight and change as they turn. You mentioned cutting the wire, so I assume you have the one piece sensor and wire? If it's a plastic one, chances are it's came with the car. They've updated the design since. It's easy to change and takes about 20 minutes. There's a guide with pictures around somewhere.

[racin' skoda]

hi.thanks fabrel...yes it is the plastic one piece sensor . i cut it off close just to see if there was a problem in the loom part . but that checked out ok . i feel the same way that it is the angle sensor . and think i will be trying that first..i will keep you updated... thanks again for your interest...