Hi All,

 

I have been looking at most of the threads from searching for "power steering" & "angle sensor" on the Skoda Fabia I forum and wanting to gather information before spending out on repairs.

 

I am currently having a problem with my 2001 Skoda Fabia 1.4 Comfort Estate as when starting up the car in the morning, the power steering doesn't work. I turn off the engine, turn back on again and it will work. On doing this over the past few days, I found that having my heated seats on and radio when starting the car means the PAS doesnt evening switch off.

 

I have had a garage check over the PAS who confirmed there are no issues with it and have been advised it is the alternator which needs replacing. Then on checking this forum, found it could be the battery, wiring or angle sensor.

 

I just wanted to know which paying out too much money, what people think should be the right track to take first...

 

Any information/advise would be gratefully received.

 

Regards
Rob

Go to a reliable motor accessory shop and ask them to check your battery first, batteries don't last forever.

 

DB.

check the voltage across the battery in the morning, sounds like the battery is goosed.

 

 

LOL

Edited 6 February, 201412 yr by howley87

Also check if the battery warning light comes on when you switch the ignition on. If it doesn't it points to the alternator load signal wire being broken.

Thanks for the replies, sadly my daughter has been ill and I haven't yet been able to get the battery checked. When to use the car yesterday and found the PAS doesn't even turn on now. Although a small(ish) car, its bloody heavy when trying to manuovour it!!

Take the battery off and give it a thorough charge.

How long will the ECU "memory" last if I disconnect the battery?

How long will the ECU "memory" last if I disconnect the battery?

 

It won't, but resetting it is a good thing from time to time.

Ok so just taken the car to Kwik Fit (lazy b******ds) who couldn’t be bothered to test the battery, so took it to a smaller independent garage. Tested the battery and no fault, battery is working fine and with proper charge (i guess meaning the alternator is also working fine). They are suggesting it is the pump at fault (saw dollar signs in his eyes) and when suggesting the Angle Sensor, advised they only have issues in Minis.

 

Spoken to Skoda and replacement Steering Angle Sensor is £390 incl supply and fitting. Going to phone around a few more places and see what they suggest.

 

Question to people whom have had this problem, how much have you paid for the angle sensor?? I have tralled this fourm for a walk through on replacing the sensor (with pics if possible) and unable to come up with anything.

Genuine Skoda one £149.63 on the skodaparts.com site - that's if it's part number 6Q2423291AXX

Edited 10 February, 201412 yr by TMB

Thanks.. And how easy is it to remove and install???

Easy if you can get the car up in the air, almost impossible if you can't.

 

You need to undo two allen screws and unclip a cable in multiple places before unplugging it so it's not rocket science. Tools required are an allen key and opposable thumbs.

Yeah, it's perfectly doable with the car in the air. Certainly better than paying Skoda megabucks to do it. 

Check the fluid reservoir? That fixed mine tonight

Ok, so driving home this evening from work and the PAS suddenly kicked it. GREAT apart from the fact I was going around a roundabout (arse was twitching lick a rabbits nose). When got home, turned off the engine turned it back on the hey oh, no power steering.

Could this mean this is the angle sensor and possible water in it?????

Yes, it's the angle sensor, yes, it's probably got water in it, yes, you need to replace it, yes, it's going to cost you over £100 for the part alone, yes, you can do it yourself if you can the front in the air high enough to get right underneath, yes, I would find an independent VW specialist and get them to do it.

I have this problem also, is there any way of finding out whether it is the steering sensor for sure? as it doesn't flag up an error code?

Yes, unplug the sensor from the pump unit, you'll have the PAS light on but any intermittent steering issues should disappear. Obviously PAS check fluid levels first though.

Anybody know if there thread on how to remove the bumper to get to the PAS motor to remove and connect the new sensor. Thanks

Anybody know if there thread on how to remove the bumper to get to the PAS motor to remove and connect the new sensor. Thanks

 

The sensor is on the steering rack.

 

Sensor is item number 10 or 6 depending on type. Some of them have a plug which pushes directly into the sensor, so you might not need to access the pump area if yours is like that.

 

Edited 17 February, 201412 yr by TMB

That seems hard to get to?

That seems hard to get to?

 

Yeah, it's a bit of a sod. You have to get the car up on ramps or axle stands.

Anybody know if there thread on how to remove the bumper to get to the PAS motor to remove and connect the new sensor. Thanks

 

I believe it's possible to disco the plug through the wheelarch by removing the arch liner, it may even be possible from underneath if you can get the front high enough in the air.

Anybody know if there thread on how to remove the bumper to get to the PAS motor to remove and connect the new sensor. Thanks

 

Here:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/121210-how-to-remove-replace-headlights/

 

 

And I imagine you can find the manual to do it here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?32vct1hmvx1rz

Edited 17 February, 201412 yr by Oli3000

Thanks to everybody for your input and advise.

 

I got into the car today and bingo... the power steering started working!!! After checking the car, i think due to the adverse weather we have been having, the steering angle sensor had got wet and just needed drying out.

 

Not back to not swearing at my car and enjoying my car again.

 

Thanks again

 

Rob