Hi,

 

I have a 2007 Octavia 1.9 TDI. A few days ago the power steering light came on when my wife went to drive the car. I told here to take the other car. When I went to have a look the car would not start at all. No lights on dash apart from door ope etc. Later the car ran for a couple of seconds and then died. Later still I got the car running (steering light went out) but got the full Chrstmas tree lights on the dash and the engine died from time to time - guessing the management system was shutting down and restarting?

 

Later still the car was dead again. Fiddling under the dash and I was back running again. I need some help.

 

I had wondered if the issue was a relay so replaced relay 460 (the one on the left) under the dash. At first I thought this was it but on the way to work the steering light came on and went out a few seconds later a couple of times. 

 

I am not sure if the steering light is a red herring or not - does the light come on when power is lost to the management system mid running?

 

If it was just the steering light I would think maybe it was an issue with the power steering but combined with losing the ability to start the car, this does not sound so likely to me?  Could a fault with the power steering render the whole ignition dead?

 

Any ideas? I have just swapped the left 460 relay with the one on the right but have not tested that yet.

 

I don't have a fault code reader so maybe I need to try that next - I guess I better research the cheapest way to get the fault codes... any ideas on that?

 

Cheers, Chris.

Battery?

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The battery is charging and the earth looks ok so I don't think it's that. Just ordered a fault code scanner to see if that will help.....

The battery on my car was getting a but old and I used to get random lights when I turned off the ignition. A new battery sorted the problem.

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I have also had a look for water ingress under the dash but as far as I can see all is dry. Not had it all apart to check for sure....

Fault codes will helpfully narrow things down.

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You have got me wondering about the battery now. Although it tested at 14v whilst running I have now read a number of cases where a weak battery has caused all sorts of havoc. It has been relatively cold the last few days as well after a very mild winter. The symptoms do appear odd for a battery fault but I will take it for a free test. The car is on its original battery so coming up for 7 years which is getting on a bit I would think. 

 

EDIT: Battery tested now at local tyre depot. The battery tested as strong despite its age. Knackered battery would have been a simple fix.....:(

Edited 27 March, 201412 yr by purplebogmonster

14V when running just proves the alternator is working and putting a charge into the battery. All the symptoms you post suggest that at least once cell in the battery has died and it can no longer provide sufficient power itself.

Had no issues tonight on the way home having replaced the 460 relay on the right. However, I think that is not the issue. By pulling the 460 relay on the left I get the no-start symptoms I was getting before. I will leave the dash underside off and see if I get any more trouble. If in the future the car fails to start I think the first test is to see of the left 460 relay clicks - easy to tell by touch. I am now wondering about the ignition key switch and possibly the imobiliser? Anybody got any idea where the immobiliser site in the system and what symptoms I would see if the immobiliser wasn't working - e.g. would the dash light up - I would expect the key symbol to light up for an imobiliser issue, is that right?

 

Another option might be connections to the ECU. Where is the ECU?

 

Cheers, Chris.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/309573-multiple-warning-light-problems/?hl=%2Bbattery+%2Bold#entry3706989

 

The post by Bluecar in the above thread does sound like my situation right down to the power stearing light. The battery was tested at 500CCA and passed the test easily but I may just change it out anyway as it is getting old. It will rule that out completely.

 

It looks like the electro assist power steering can draw upto 60 Amps and a power steering fault may show up if it does not get enough juice.

 

Chris.

Edited 27 March, 201412 yr by purplebogmonster

Update which may help somebody else at some point. I could not find the fault and didn't have the time on my hands to go looking so I called in auto electrician. Sod's law, the car was working fine when he was here at first.

 

Anyway, to cut a long story short the fault was eventually found to be the live feed to the steering control module. It was fluctuating anywere from 12.6v to 1.1v. Have not actually found where wire / plug fault is. The chap thought it was almost certainly the engine bay. He has run a new live feed from the dash fuse box and that has cured the problem.

 

Of course if the wiring loom is damaged or plug contacts have corroded then some other circuit may fail at some time. Therefore I may go looking for the fault myself when I have a bit more time. Are there any particular areas of weakness I should be looking at for the duff connection?

 

Chris.