Hi - First post so be gentle with me! I've owned a Fabia SDi estate 2002 for 2.5 years - 84k on clock. About 18 moths ago the power steering would get heavy after a few miles and dash dials would fail. After a bit of research I changed the battery and the problem was solved.The issue ahs now come back in an odd way - when the engine is cold the P/S is fine - but as the car warms up the steering gets increasingly heavy to the point where is creaks - happens more quickly in hot weather. It's been an issue to today - but fine tonight now it's cooled down. I have changed the battery again and checked fluid levels - but problem is still there. Before I start fiddling with other bits, I wondered if anyone else had any thoughts. Thanks. 

Check this before you spend any money on anything:
https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/401778-battery-light-and-associated-problems/

Easiest and quickest diagnostic test you'll ever do.

Thanks Wino - checked this - battery light works as it should - steering is fine this morning, but will get progressively worse as the car gets hotter during the day - I can't drive it for more than about 20 mins without steering becoming a real pain.   what an about earthing problem - thinking maybe that something is expanding with heat and losing a  connection?

Yes, good idea.  Main earth on nearside suspension turret behind battery is a good place to start.

Another earth well worth checking/cleaning is the one that goes from the top starter motor fixing bolt to the nearside chassis leg, especially the starter motor end.

If you have a voltmeter/multimeter, measure the voltage right across the battery terminals before and after starting the engine.

Edited 3 July, 20188 yr by Wino

Might be worth checking to see if the alternator is providing enough voltage?.

 

The power steering motor will draw a lot of amps.

 

Turn on the car, then connect a multimeter to the battery (DC volts mode), then turn the steering wheel lock to lock a few times and observe the voltage, check to see if it drops.

 

Also listen out for the p/s motor, does it sound like it's struggling under load?. 

Hi - thanks for your replies - I'll check with multimeter - not tried while turning wheel - today it got heavier to the point of creaking - but when it cooled down driving in the evening is fine! Have checked earths - no corrosion seen. P/S motor not noisy. A colleague has suggested that too much P/S fluid might be the cause - expanding in the heat and progressively preventing steering rack (new one fitted by previous owner 3 years ago) from functioning correctly - it did seem high when I checked it earlier - does this sound feasible?  Cheers.

 

Edited 6 July, 20187 yr by Swansrus

Sounds wildly unlikely to me.

If alternator was the issue surely it would be present all the time - not just when car is hot? Don't have any ancillaries running to put load on battery - but I'll rule it in/out with voltmeter this weekend. I assume to get to P/S motor earth (checked battery one in engine bay) you remove N/S wheel and wheel arch cover? Thanks

All wires and connections get more resistive when hot, bad connections even more so.

I seem to remember that the PAS module earths to a stud close to the reservoir lid, on the top surface of nearside chassis leg; access from above/bonnet.

 

Great - thank you!

 

Yeah I had this issue. Changed the pump, still done it, replaced power steering sensor, still done it. Visually checked earth and didn’t see any corrosion. In the end I cleaned all of the earths on the left chassis leg and it hasn’t done it since