Hi,

 

The power steering on my Skoda Roomster  (2012 - 1.2 tsi)  has just gone faulty and thought I'd ask here to get any useful info.

 

The power assist on steering suddenly failed whilst driving along a few days ago.  the yellow light came on as well.  Since that happend it remains to be intermittent.  For example,  when I start the car its usually fine (not always) to start with and after driving for about 30 minutes the power assist fails so I'm then left with very heavy steering.  So, I've tried a couple of things:  stop the car and turn off ignition and re start and usually it's ok again but for a shorter time period.  It seems to clear when I turn engine on and off (last time did it a 2 or 3 times before power assist would work again).

 

I have taken it to the Skoda dealer and they have diagnosed it as a fault with the "PAS control unit".  And they have given me a quote to fix it by replacing this unit along with a wiring repair kit (or as the guy on the service desk told me an updated wiring kit).  I have already spent £120 on the diagnostics and the cost for the rest of the repair would be  just under £1100.  The only description of fault I have is listed as VWA, 

elsa 32891   (if that means anything to anyone ?)

 

So I have a few questions to ask:  

 

Is the PAS control unit something mechanical (eg to do with hydraulics) or purely electrical/electronic?

 

Unfortunately the warranty has just ran out (about 6 weeks ago) but I  am waiting to see if Skoda will help me out re. goodwill as its only just gone on warranty but if they don't I may have to look to see if there are any cheaper options for repair?  I have looked up as much as I can regarding PAS on this forum and it seems that diagnosing is key to success!!!!   So I assume they have the correct diagnosis although from previous posts I also notice that others have found the dealer to have diagnosed and changed parts with continuing problems.  I have and electrical back ground myself and now how tricky it can be to find intermittent faults!  I'm wondering if they would change "wiring kit" to eliminate the possibility of there being any fault within the wiring?

 

Anyway, any ideas would be much appreciated!

 

Thanks

John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is the PAS control unit something mechanical (eg to do with hydraulics) or purely electrical/electronic?

 

 

Bit of both. Combined reservoir for the fluid, electric motor/pump to push it round; and electronics to power the pump, interpret the angle sensor output and set/maintain the pump speed appropriately. 

Looks like the thing being sold here. (Which might be a tempting alternative to a new replacement, but you'd need to check that the part number is exactly right, don't take my word for it).

 

Will be worth your while finding a local member with VCDS, a DIY diagnostic set-up.  That would give you an independent check on the diagnosis, probably for beer-tokens.

Edited 20 November, 201510 yr by Wino

Thanks for that info!  I've just been waiting to see what happens over last week or so with the car and its been working fine until a couple of days ago.So the fault comes and goes.  I looked up the part you have shown and it is that type - I have the actual part number now which is 6R0423156C as from Skoda.  

 

I'm going to assume the Skoda dealer has diagnosed it right and give it a go but have a choice of where to buy the 2nd hand part from...... I can buy online as you have shown or I've also found another place that has a second hand one but as I asked my local garage to fit it he won't do it as he already had a problem with doing another car power steering and couldn't get pass a password!    So I've contacted a local VW dealer who said he would fit the second hand part but also said there may be issues if the part doesn't accept the code as it has to be programmer in.      The VW place does reconditioned part but its more expensive.......  

 

So my next question here is do you think there will be a problem with buying a second hand part (Power steering control unit/pump) and getting it programmed in ok with codes along with passwords etc -   is it down to the garages electronic test/reprogramming equipment i.e having to take it back to the Skoda dealer (they did say they could fit it but didn't mention anything about any possible problems with codes?????

 

Any more thoughts appreciated

John

There are some free things you can check first;

 

- Have the battery tested

- Check the connections to the battery

- Check the earth strap connection to the body of the car. Espcially for signs of corrosion.

- Check the fluid level

- Check the fuses under the bonnet. There's a big metal one for the power steering so check for signs of corrosion on this one.

 

Phil

Ok,  I'l see if I can check those things now and the fluid level I guess should be fine as the Skoda dealer would probably have mentioned that on its fault diagnostic...

They had said in the price of repair that they would replace the wiring repair kit, just makes me wonder why they would need to do that if they had diagnosed the problem as the pump but then I guess they would cover themselves in case of any wiring issues... anyway, will go and check now

 

thanks

battery connections seem pretty good, no corrosion.  It's a 2012 roomster.   couldn't find fuses under bonnet but found fuses under steering wheel behind plastic flap.  no idea which one power sttering would be...... would pull it out to check if I could find which one but don't want to pull wrong one it if it affects any other electrics on the car....... not sure how fuses relate to electronic programs from the computer?????  Had thought of disconnecting battery at one stage to see if I could get at the wiring to the pump (as it seems quite tight the wire connections without slack) but I read on the forums that there can be problems with battery disconnected because the computer stores how the car runs and all that would be lost!       

Here's another question:  if I changed the wiring to the pump and replaced it with a wiring repair kit part no.  520998377  if i managed to do it without disconnecting the battery would that cause a problem with its relation to the cpu or computer that remembers all the settings - or when the ignition is off is the pump/control unit completely disconnected anyway and wouldn't matter if I disconnected wiring?         

 

it's just a thought as Skoda were going to replace the wiring anyhow and if it got done first, you never know it may be that!