Hello not sure if I'm posting in the right place but I need some help...

I've recently been given a fabia estate 02 as a first car.. so my knowledge is very limited

It drives fine mostly but since I had it which is about 2-3 months the speedo is a bit dodgy as it doesn't to work until the car has been driven for 10-20 minutes then it works fine but very randomly the needle will drop for a few seconda then will come up to the correct speed.. This has happened since day one

But recently I went to drive the car after fitting a new radio to drive. And the power steering wasnt working and after

Turning on the engine a few times it kept happening... then engine wouldn't start obviously the battery had gone flat by turning on and off a few time ..But got the garage to come have a look at the power steering they charged the battery up and said it all worked fine... my dad drove the car back from the a shopping centre and the steering warning light was on the whole way but he said the car drove fine

But my question is could the steering and speedo problem be related to a battery or alteranter.. some people have suggested this.. is there anyway I can test could one of these not working correctly drain power from other parts of the car?

If the charger does not charge or recharge too little so the end result is that certain activities will stop working which also includes power steering.
So, first I would see that the electrical side is so far okay.

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=209472
 

What engine is in it?

First bit of advice- head on down to a fast fit place and get a battery check/charging check , as you're of limited knowledge. then armed with their report, come back (before lashing out on what they tell you ,YOU need) and report. FYI- a charging system in a good state will give out around 14v( some say 13.8, others 14.4). And should remain constant with all electrics on-Headlamps/ rear screen/ heater/fog lamps.It might dip, slightly as you switch in the load, but should come back up. With Engine running .

BUT, looking at problems occurring AFTER fitting Radio- I'd first be tempted to remove ALL power connections to radio .Are you certain ,you've connected Radio power to a power rail, rather than to a Canbus.

As VWD says, check your charging voltage with the engine and headlamps/screen etc. on. If it's much below about 14v, you're probably not charging. It'll either be the alternator, or more likely it's the load sensor wire or trigger wire to the alternator that's broken, seems like almost every Fabia on the road has broken that wire at some point! Good news is that if it's a wire, it's a very cheap and easy fix. Here's an example of someone fixing one of the wires: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/264387-dodgy-starter-connection-found/

 

Also loads more info on the wires here: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/334979-alternator-load-signal-wire/

Edited 14 January, 201610 yr by wiredsoftware

Well I spoke to the garage they tested the alternater and it's working fine... logic would suggest it's a wire or battery ill have a look at the voltage when I get the chance