Hello all! I know that there are many posts about the power steering woes of the Fabia but I thought I'd see if anyone has any useful tips or advice about diagnosing problems with the PAS.

Having recently bought a lovely little Fabia I need to get it fixed to get it through an Mot but as the PAS light is on it would fail. I've started with the fuse which I took out to see if it had blown. As it hadn't I put it back in and started the engine to dry the windows (the door leaks into the car but that's for a different post!) only to find that I had power steering, if only for 5 secs until it gradually stopped assisting. As it does give some assistance in thinking that it could be a worn out pump that works until it overheats or that it could be a gunky steering angle sensor on the steering rack. I've also checked the battery voltage which is 13V with the engine off and 14.3V with the engine idling.

I haven't had time to have a good rummage around the PAS system so I wanted to ask if anyone had any advice at all as to where to start fault finding.

 

Many thanks in advance

Really need to get codes read to see what the PAS module 'thinks' is wrong. What year is the car and how many miles done?

Charging system sounds healthy, so the next favourite would be the steering angle sensor, but without reading the codes, it's guesswork.

 

How far are you from Abingdon, Oxon?

Thanks for the quick reply!

Getting the codes read was next on my list to do. I've got a mate with a VAG com reader so that should bring up a code. Next is the jack it up to take a look at the steering sensor and hope it hasn't got the old plastic covers connectors.

It's a 2001 1.9 TDI with 104000 on the clock.

Im near Lambourn so not that far away from Abingdon really but without a car I can't get there :'(

Got mu VCDS cable in the post this morning and three faults were read from the PAS system.

Implausible signal, signal too high(intermittent) and short to ground(intermittent).

From my perspective it seems like the steering angle sensor is faulty but if anyone can confirm or correct me id really appreciate it as I'm no vehicle diagnostician. Thanks

 Have you checked the fluid level - long shot but the forward flow of fluid just after start-up could draw the level down quickly and possibly cause a problem. I am unsure of how the system takes readings and intereprits these to give error codes, but may be worth a look.

Checked the fluid level and all is well. What puzzled me is the fact that it does work for five secs after the fuse has been removed and re installed while there is nothing wrong with the fuse.

Also tried to connect to the steering angle controller only to find that the VCDS couldn't connect :/

Checked the fluid level and all is well. What puzzled me is the fact that it does work for five secs after the fuse has been removed and re installed while there is nothing wrong with the fuse.

Also tried to connect to the steering angle controller only to find that the VCDS couldn't connect :/

 

That's not why it worked for 5 seconds, this system is totally random when it fails, sometimes it works sometimes it doesnt.

Checked the fluid level and all is well. What puzzled me is the fact that it does work for five secs after the fuse has been removed and re installed while there is nothing wrong with the fuse.

Also tried to connect to the steering angle controller only to find that the VCDS couldn't connect :/

Do you mean Module 16-Steering wheel? Your car may not have such a module.

Rather than Module 44 - Steering assist under the Chassis tab?

 

The latter you must have been in to get the fault cods you have got, I think.

Did an auto scan which gave me the three fault codes for the PAS. As I'm new to the diagnostic scene I was poking around to see what could cause the fault. I don't think it was the steering assist tab (which gave me the codes) but a different steering tab. It's most likely the steering wheel module and not the steering angle sensor on the rack.

Going to put it up on my ramps and have a good rummage around the steering rack tomorrow as the codes are pointing in the direction of the sensor

I have a fully functioning sensor spare if you need it. I replaced mine unnecessarily when I was trying to track down frustrating intermittent power steering problems a while back. Pm me if u need!

sorry wrong post

Edited 20 November, 201510 yr by twin84

The PAS failed on my Fabia 1.9tdi (2006). Yellow steering wheel light on dashboard.

Having changes the pump, (a difficult 5 hour job for me) , still a yellow warning light, no PAS.

I checked a few earth straps too, still no result.

 

On top of the battery are 6 fuses, No 5 is the PAS.

In checking the 10mm nuts either end I heard a spark sound.

The fuse plate looked intact, but in fact there was an almost invisible hair-line split half way along.....

Connected some wire between the two nuts.... bingo!

All sorted. 

 

I'll be ordering a new fuse plate directly.

Shame I had to buy a another pump. (pre-loved)

6 hours ago, Epignosis said:

The fuse plate looked intact, but in fact there was an almost invisible hair-line split half way along.....

Connected some wire between the two nuts.... bingo!

All sorted. 

 

 

 

Yes they certainly can develop very fine, virtually invisible cracks. Shame you had to go through all that work for nothing but at least it's working now 👍

 

Halfords sell packs of the fuse strips.

 

 

Edited 3 December, 20196 yr by TMB