So my octy is still in the garage after having a new auxiliary water pump fitted (details of that are on a separate thread). That problem is now fine... The only positive 😞

 

Car is 13 plate 2.0tdi with 140k on the clock, doesn't necessarily matter to this issue but it has faultless service history and was clearly well looked after before we bought it, every receipt for works present. 

 

On the day I took it to the garage, I had no power steering on start up, and red steering wheel light on dash. The garage is only 100yards up the road so I just got it there anyway. There had been no steering related issues prior to this (but we'd only owned it for 6 weeks) , it had been sat for 10 days whilst waiting to head to said garage. 

 

After sorting the aux water pump issue which is booked in for they then had a look at the steering issue. 

 

I don't have the exact codes from them yet, but they've said the faults point to an entire new steering rack needed. They've given me a few options:

 

1. New steering rack coming in at around £1100

 

2. Sending it to some specialist of some kind to see if they can 'repair' it, they won't know if they can till they look at it, but if they can it'll be in the region of £200-£400

 

3. Lastly, he said he's more than happy to try other possibilities first to attempt in saving us from the mega bill in option 1.

 

So I guess my question is does anyone have any specific advice after encountering similar problems? Is there anything else to check/try with these when faced with this issue? 

Get it scanned for fault codes. Could be something as simple as a fuse or relay.

1 hour ago, ords said:

Get it scanned for fault codes. Could be something as simple as a fuse or relay.

 

Garage got a mobile autoelectrician to come out (as they don't have vagcom) and apparently what he read leads them to the conclusion of new rack, I've asked for the codes but they haven't given me them yet...

 

Seems odd to me, I'm not implying the garage are lying or pulling as fast one at all. Just doesn't make sense for it to just 'go' with no prior steering problems. 

 

I'm half wondering if the battery is faulty and it being sat before taking it up to them has caused this, I would have assumed either them or the autoelec would have checked that though... Surely? 

Battery or charging problem, possibly fractured alternator lead were the thoughts I had.

47 minutes ago, Darealspoon said:

I would have assumed either them or the autoelec would have checked that though... Surely? 

 

I think its safe to assume that the garage do not have a clue and are relying on what the auto-elec is telling them, there is no fault code that says "new steering rack needed" my bet is that the code says cannot communicate with module or supply voltage low and all they can think of is changing the rack.

 

I expect when or if you get the fault code you will be able to decide what to do, it doesn't sound like the garage does.

15 minutes ago, J.R. said:

Battery or charging problem, possibly fractured alternator lead were the thoughts I had.

 

I think its safe to assume that the garage do not have a clue and are relying on what the auto-elec is telling them, there is no fault code that says "new steering rack needed" my bet is that the code says cannot communicate with module or supply voltage low and all they can think of is changing the rack

 

I expect when or if you get the fault code you will be able to decide what to do, it doesn't sound like the garage does.

 

Thanks for that, I had the same thoughts regarding the garage. They're usually decent and being so local they're always honest and fair... Just think in this instance it's a case of seeing fault code and automatically moving to component change because that's the easiest solution, in a way

 

As I said they're happy for me to investigate other possibilities before changing the rack, or for them to try stuff at my request. I might go over myself in the morning and have a poke about, check leads, battery voltage and put my scanner on it and see what code I get. 

 

Will report back 👍

Edited 31 October, 20223 yr by Darealspoon

Got the codes this morning, doesn't read to pretty but I'm hoping others can shed a bit more light - 

 

B200FF0 - INTERNAL FAILURE
B2000F1 - ECU INTERNAL FAILURE
C10D700 - COMFORT LIMITATION
B1168F2 - STEERING WHEEL ANGLE SENSOR, NO INITIALIZATION

Steering angle sensor needs resetting is all that it is.

 

The procedure is under basic settings in VCDS.

 

Maybe now is the time to invest in VCDS, its a lot cheaper than a new steering rack which would need the procedure doing in any case and would thus show the same fault codes.

 

Cheaper also than paying a mechanic with a multi-marque diagnostic software kit who does not really know or understand the problem.

Edited 1 November, 20223 yr by J.R.

I'm not convinced basic settings will fix this @J.R.

 

These are indicative of a failed module:

B200FF0 - INTERNAL FAILURE
B2000F1 - ECU INTERNAL FAILURE

 

This is likely a sympathy code due to the failed module:

B1168F2 - STEERING WHEEL ANGLE SENSOR, NO INITIALIZATION

 

I'd be grabbing a wiring diagram and confirming all power/ground connections are good and able to carry current.

 

There are also plenty of update files for steering racks so there might be a TSB/TPI relating to your specific part number with an update with may help.

The plot thickens! I relayed the issue to skoda place up the line. They were happy to chat under the understanding that whatever they said couldn't be taken as canon, as they haven't seen the vehicle. 

 

The guy theres ears pricked up when I said that it had been sat for 10 days prior and that the start/stop had never worked since we got it (probably should have mentioned this in thread). He said to check it has the right battery. So, I rang the local garage... By genuine coincidence Mechanic there said he'd been thinking about it last night, and wondered the same. He's checked, sure enough it only has a standard battery and not a very healthy one. They've changed it for a healthy agm one to test and voila, the start stop is now working. 

 

The steering hasn't come back... yet, but he's going to keep tinkering to see if it will.. Try calibrating, updating or whatever, or just leaving it for a bit with a healthy battery. He reckons they've checked all the connections and they're reading as they should, and that it has (at some point) already had a new steering rack, from what they can see... 

 

Which is why, in fairness, they are being really decent in being happy to mess around trying various fixes before we go straight to new rack. Granted, they haven't got a clue... But they're a good bunch down there and aren't hiding/blagging the fact that they don't know. 

1 hour ago, Darealspoon said:

He's checked, sure enough it only has a standard battery and not a very healthy one. They've changed it for a healthy agm one to test and voila, the start stop is now working. 

 

The steering hasn't come back...

First thing is to clear the codes as they don't reset automatically and see which ones (if any) come back.

 

Then if code still present check the battery voltage (a brand new battery won't necessarily be fully charged) as the electric power steering is very voltage sensitive.

3 hours ago, Darealspoon said:

Which is why, in fairness, they are being really decent in being happy to mess around trying various fixes before we go straight to new rack. Granted, they haven't got a clue... But they're a good bunch down there and aren't hiding/blagging the fact that they don't know. 

It sounds like they are worth their weight in gold!

 

Another garage may have already been firing the parts cannon by the sound of things.

1 hour ago, J.R. said:

It sounds like they are worth their weight in gold!

 

Another garage may have already been firing the parts cannon by the sound of things.

 

Yep, they're great for general stuff but ordinarily for something like this I'd have taken it to the indy VAG group specialists who look after our T4 but they were stacked up for weeks and they're a bit further away... 

 

I'm not holding my breath... The parts cannon may yet need to be fired! 😅

Edited 1 November, 20223 yr by Darealspoon

Got a text from the mechanic this morning saying it still has the internal failure and ecu internal failure fault codes... 

Just to add-

 

This is with a new agm battery that's been tested for charge so presumably alternator is doing what it should. 

 

They've checked all the connections going down to the rack and they're all reading fine, fuses OK etc. It's just the rack itself is not registering... 

 

He reckons the rack in there is a recon one, as it looks painted 🤷‍♂️

 

So I guess my next question is this. He's quoted me £605+vat for the new rack. Does anyone know if and where I can find one cheaper?? 

If it is the case that a so called reconditioned rack has failed presumably fairly quickly should you really be looking to find the cheapest offering?

 

I would be looking for an OE one from a scrapped car.

Edited 2 November, 20223 yr by J.R.

19 hours ago, PetrolDave said:

First thing is to clear the codes as they don't reset automatically and see which ones (if any) come back.

 

Then if code still present check the battery voltage (a brand new battery won't necessarily be fully charged) as the electric power steering is very voltage sensitive.

Make sure they haven't forgotten to re-code the new battery.

7 minutes ago, J.R. said:

If it is the case that a so called reconditioned rack has failed presumably fairly quickly should you really be looking to find the cheapest offering?

 

I would be looking for an OE one from a scrapped car.

Yep, I hear your point and I've considered it, both ways are a gamble to be honest..

 

Ive found a company, PSR direct (lion automotive effectively) who will either recon my own rack or supply me with a reconditioned rack they have already. Same price either way, £313 Inc vat and collect/delivery. It comes with a 2 year warranty (30k miles per year)

 

Obvs there's still the labour to remove/fit on that. However, it's significantly cheaper than the cheapest new rack I could find (£605+vat) and comes with at least some assurance over a scrapped one from ebay.

 

🤷‍♂️

1 minute ago, ords said:

Make sure they haven't forgotten to re-code the new battery.

 

Would it be obvious if they haven't, ie would nothing be working essentially? 

The danger is that the problem is not the rack (more precisely the controller) at all and after shelling out all the money it still does not work and with the same fault codes, in that scenario its better that you have bought the cheapest replacement or would they then blame that?

 

Have they tried to do the adaptation of the steering angle sensor and come up against a comms error?

2 minutes ago, J.R. said:

The danger is that the problem is not the rack (more precisely the controller) at all and after shelling out all the money it still does not work and with the same fault codes, in that scenario its better that you have bought the cheapest replacement or would they then blame that?

 

Have they tried to do the adaptation of the steering angle sensor and come up against a comms error?

 

They've tried doing the calibration, I don't know if that's the same thing? Ie, wheel lock to lock etc

 

Yes, you're right. Which is something I'm concerned with, the guy at PSR was also fairly certain that with everything thing else that's been done, if the only 2 codes remaining are those 2... That it's rack, or at least an internal element of the rack. 

 

In terms of the new battery, they've said everything else is fine, no other fault codes etc... So I presume that means they've coded it? 

Edited 2 November, 20223 yr by Darealspoon

12 minutes ago, Darealspoon said:

 

They've tried doing the calibration, I don't know if that's the same thing? Ie, wheel lock to lock etc

 

In terms of the new battery, they've said everything else is fine, no other fault codes etc... So I presume that means they've coded it? 

Without re-coding, the system will assume it still has the old battery and keep the same charging characteristics. It should learn over time that there is a new battery, but in the meantime who knows what faults that could throw up. It's just one thing less to worry about.

12 minutes ago, ords said:

Without re-coding, the system will assume it still has the old battery and keep the same charging characteristics. It should learn over time that there is a new battery, but in the meantime who knows what faults that could throw up. It's just one thing less to worry about.

Since they put the new batt in, the stop start has returned, so perhaps it's recognised the new battery (perhaps the incorrect one it has replaced was never coded) 

 

Can it only be coded using vcds? Because I know they don't have it, hence why they got the autoelec in previously...

34 minutes ago, Darealspoon said:

Since they put the new batt in, the stop start has returned, so perhaps it's recognised the new battery (perhaps the incorrect one it has replaced was never coded) 

 

Can it only be coded using vcds? Because I know they don't have it, hence why they got the autoelec in previously...

You need vcd's.  Start/stop maybe working because the battery has enough charge in it at the moment.

4 hours ago, ords said:

You need VCDS.

... or OBDeleven or any similar VAG diagnostic tool.

10 minutes ago, PetrolDave said:

... or OBDeleven or any similar VAG diagnostic tool.

 

Yep, it does seem like a worthwhile investment... Even if it doesn't pay off for this case. I have a autel Maxilink ML619 that's served me well... But its obviously limited. 

 

I know there's tons of threads, but it's probably alot quicker to get a reply on here. 

 

From what I've read, obdeleven is slightly more user friendly, baring in mind my level of mechanics, brake pads, servicing, simple component swaps, it seems that it might be more suitable for me than a full vcds. 

 

And cheaper.... There's so many options and models, Would this enable e me to code the battery and see me right for the future? 

 

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/OBDeleven-Bluetooth-Diagnostic-Scanner-Advanced/dp/B08K94L4JS/ref=asc_df_B08K94L4JS/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=463218305272&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13258492857863553672&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045283&hvtargid=pla-980348137854&psc=1

Edited 2 November, 20223 yr by Darealspoon