So reading on here, I gather this is not a rare issue, but I have come for some help.

 

I have a Y reg Skoda Fabia 1.9 SDI, it has run like a dream for a long time (including a 9 month stint stood still on a dockyard) and has performed flawlessly until today...

 

I started the car up and the Yellow Power Steering Light came on, and it now steers like a Russian Tank! Checked the reservoir and it was quite low (only just touching the bottom of the green dipstick... don't even get me started on a green dipstick for green fluid...) so I topped it up, but that has not solved things either.

 

The light is constantly on, checked the alternator which is running fine (putting out 14.5V when started) and headlamps are not dimming when running.

 

This has kinda left me with 2 things to try, the Steering Angle Sensor and the Power Steering Pump, does anyone have any input as to which I should try, if it is the pump would anyone have any idea what the part number is please? (and anywhere where I can get a reasonably priced one?)

 

Sorry if this is a repeat subject or if it is in the wrong place, I am quite new here.

 

Many Thanks

 

Hutch

Does this have the electric assist steering or is it all hydraulic?

It's probably the pump if you have no assist at all, get the code read.

12 minutes ago, usedabused said:

Does this have the electric assist steering or is it all hydraulic?

 

They are all electro-hydraulic.

Check strip fuse number 3 in the battery-top fuseholder and fuse 7 in the cabin fuseholder.

Perhaps you need to bleed the system if it ran too low. I think some systems require a fill, run engine, torn full lock left right, left right etc. let settle, turn off let settle again, check level, topping up again if needed and repeat if it was still low. Do though, refer to Skoda techniques just to be sure.

 

I am unsure to if you have ruined the pump by woking it without fluid. You may also need codes clearing prior to running well.

Good Morning Everyone, and thank you very much for your responses,

 

Getting the codes read this morning, thankfully I have a good friend with a code reader who is coming round today :-)

 

Didn't know it was fuse 7 in the cabin... this is worth investigation (checked fuse 3 because I knew about this one!)

 

I didn't let it run dry, but the fluid was just touching the bottom of the dipstick, not to the minimum on it, so I topped it up, which makes me worry maybe there is a leak somewhere, but I am yet to find it!

 

Will let everyone know what happens when I get the codes read etc.

 

Thanks Again!

 

Hutch

Yeah, fuse 7 carries an ignition live 12V to the PAS module, without which it won't operate.

Not sure it's a shared feed on your engine, but on some variants that fuse also does other things under the bonnet, so a failure elsewhere that blows that fuse can give PAS dropout as collateral damage.

Edited 31 May, 20179 yr by Wino

It was the pump... had it diagnosed today, £35 from a popular auction site, arriving Friday. already got old one off.

 

Thanks to everyone for all your help

 

Hutch

All fitted now, working like a dream!

 

Thanks again everyone

 

Hutch

Good work fella.