Hi

I have a power steering error light. on a 2019 1.0 Fabia. I've checked supplied user manual and downloaded the manual from Skoda to check; both show fuse 9 for RHD power steering. Fuse 9 position is empty on the board under the dash. Any clues as to correct position if any?

Hi, welcome.

 

Yeah the diagrams can be 'fun' (German efficiency!?)

 

9- Operating lever beneath the steering wheel, engine control unit (vehicle without KESSY), automatic gearbox (vehicle without KESSY), ESC (vehicle without KESSY), towing equipment (vehicle without KESSY), power steering (vehicle without KESSY) - is your car without KESSY?

 

Sorry I can't see any other listing.

 

Does the power steering still work?

 

Are there any other warning lights and/or messages on?

 

Have you checked the state of charge of the car's 12v battery and that the battery terminal clamps are clean and secure?

 

Do you have access to an appropriate VW scan tool that has a program for your model and year and that program is is fully up to date (and scan tool battery not low)?

 

You really do need a scan with diagnostic equipment as a basic start with that one.  I don't think it can be a fuse unless you have no power assistance.  Have you had any recent steering work like alignment or had any accident damage?  New tyres?  Quite a few things can cause power steering codes.  If any parts of the steering have been disconnected or any wiring unplugged during other work you will need to have the steering angle calibration reset using VCDS or similar. 

A scan tool might be handy but - even with a scan tool first basic check for electric (and car computer stuff) is always the car battery, even good professionals (when you can find them) sometimes forget this and end up going back to this first basic which can be the cause of the issue(s).

 

I agree but logic as well.  All safety-critical systems on a car these days are monitored by their particular controller ECU so if a fuse blows or an electrical fault occurs it will be noticed and recorded.  You could spend a lot of time confirming all the different signals like road speed, steering angle, engine speed, reference voltages, data communications with other controllers (like ABS) and you would need a correct wiring diagram to do this.  I'm not saying you shouldn't check fuses but a quick check with VCDS first is probably actually quicker and more valuable than finding and testing all the fuses in the various fuse boxes because the fuse designations vary enough to make the handbook versions unreliable.  

18 hours ago, raybaw said:

Hi

I have a power steering error light. on a 2019 1.0 Fabia. I've checked supplied user manual and downloaded the manual from Skoda to check; both show fuse 9 for RHD power steering. Fuse 9 position is empty on the board under the dash. Any clues as to correct position if any?

The wiring info for electromechanical power steering from July 2018 onwards shows only one fuse, an 80 Amp under-bonnet one - SA3. If that had failed you would have zero steering assistance.

@Rheumy sorry I didn't mean the fuse needs checking just that you start at the battery before plugging in a scan tool and you need the battery to be reasonable especially if the tool picks its power up from the car battery otherwise some tools may add in their own errors of diagnosis.  As I put a scan tool would be handy, also to know if the power steering isn't operating at all and totally with you about previous work done.

 

It a 2019 VW so loads of potential for computer and electrical faults or it might be simple basic mistake(s) made by others who have touched the car.  I see very very cars and rarely yet this year alone I saw a neighbour's car that had had a battery swap under car manufacturer's warranty by the Dealership which was obviously by the careless work where someone had managed both to overtighten one terminal clamp but the other was loose.  At another very reliable local garage the young mechanic had forgot to torque and check the engine sump plug for it to fall out and suddenly empty the engine of oil a couple of week later, luckily the driver had the good sense to deal with the situation correctly and the AA was joined and car relayed back.  The garage after inspection done the right thing, admitted their mistake plus pay the costs (so free year of AA for car owner).  Obviously not a Dealership.  So it pays to check basis to avoid mistakes and unnecessary hassle.

 

Obviously it'll be interesting to hear from OP what's going on or outcome. -or if OP only wants to know which fuse the answer has been given.