I have a fabia mk1. Ive posted before about this, long story short. Light on dash and heavy steering, topped up p.s.f still problem. Put car on ramps power steering pump damaged but not leaking whole under of car not looked after.. (ive only owned 2months getting round to fixing problems now) light went off for 2 days and lovely to drive again gone out yesterday back to being really heavy again but no light...yet. Obviously my 1st thought being power steering pump needs replacing, but is there something else his could be as its on and off all the time..? Before anyone says, ive tried all the code reader stuff and coming up with nothing.

Have you tested the battery?

They get worse on cold days.

Angle sensor possibly?

Have you checked your steering rack to see if it's leaking?

Have you tested the battery?

They get worse on cold days.

Other thread says she's just had a new one I think mate.

With electro-hydraulic PAS, my first thoughts tend towards the angle sensor, or with an intermittant fault, more likely the electrical connectors for it.

Ive had a brand new battery fitted a week ago. Checked, steering rack isn't leaking Just want to sort it horrible car to drive at the moment. Was just going to replace pump but not sure now as its on and off while driving :(

Sensor then?

Yes, sensor, I'm having the same trouble, I just disconnected the PAS completely from terminal 3 on top of the battery while I get a new one, it means no PAS but better that than intermittent.

Take the angle sensor out and check it's not thick of sludge and dirt.

It's two Allen key bolts iirc. Easy to do anyway.

Take the angle sensor out and check it's not thick of sludge and dirt.

It's two Allen key bolts iirc. Easy to do anyway.

 

Easy for you to say since you can just chuck it on a four poster and wander about under there whistling through your teeth and shaking your head.

 

A bit harder when it's pitch black, minus four, the grounds soaked and you can't get the car high enough to get your bloody head under it.

 

Only two cap head screws indeed!

I had a similar problem and checked every thing and turned out to be a dodgy negative battery lead

Ahem... I did mine on my driveway.

Jack it up, remove the driver side wheel and it's easy accessible through the wheel arch.

Could be either or. Or both, mine was intermittent, then dead. Drove it still no problem, changed the sensor, still dead, changed the pump, fine ever since. Both jobs are quick and easy needing minimal tools. Some people report having to remove the front bumper, I done it via the wheel well.

Pump was 3 bolts holding it on, spanner for the high pressure side and pliars for the low return.

Sensor was like hutchy said.

Mine did this, I ripped the angle sensor plug off at the pump end, light on dash but get consistent assistance and no flickering lights or intermittent issues.

Ahem... I did mine on my driveway.

Jack it up, remove the driver side wheel and it's easy accessible through the wheel arch.

 

Fine if you have the later type of sensor with a plug on it, not so much if you have six feet of cable to unclip under the car because I have the earlier type.

Mine did this, I ripped the angle sensor plug off at the pump end, light on dash but get consistent assistance and no flickering lights or intermittent issues.

 

Where does it plug in please, is it behind the bumper?

Mines the old sensor with attached wire, it really is easy and doable with a jack and axle stands. You can get to the sensor plug at the pump by removing the passenger fog lamp, just pop off the grill next to it, torx key a screw or two, take it out and you'll see the 3 plugs on the pump, can't remember which one it is for the sensor though.

Mines the old sensor with attached wire, it really is easy and doable with a jack and axle stands. You can get to the sensor plug at the pump by removing the passenger fog lamp, just pop off the grill next to it, torx key a screw or two, take it out and you'll see the 3 plugs on the pump, can't remember which one it is for the sensor though.

 

Thanks Fabrel, it's really frustrating going to work in the dark and getting home in the dark and not being able to do anything until the weekend assuming it's not raining cats and dogs of course.

i had the same problem. I went to skoda for a diagnostic (charged £35) and they said it was the j500 sensor inside the pump, not the angle sensor, and that i need a new pump. i have looked around, and the cheapest i can get one new is £250 inc vat. However its alot cheaper than the £1215 they quoted me. getting a mechanic to fit it, but he has never done it before. is there anything of note to tell him when changing it. i know its in a dodgy location. but does the sensor need to be connected to the car or is it automatic when i change the pump. help would be much appreciated.  thanks