Hey guys, your opinions please...

Yesterday my PAS warning light came on while driving home and momentarily failed as I pulled into my street causing the steering to become very heavy and a real struggle to make it onto the drive.

I re-started the engine and the light disappeared and the PAS seemed to have restored. I checked the PAS hydraulic levels but they looked good, topped them up anyway. Also checked the Fuse but that was fine too.

I noticed that when stationary on my drive, putting full-lock on my steering wheel in either direction is causing the front wheels to emit what only can be described as a broken hover sorta noise, I'm assuming its coming from the PAS pump.

I've recently (6 weeks) replaced my battery, I was told the old one had died but I'd read their could be a connection.

I'd like to think this is just a PAS sensor problem but with those noises coming from the front wheels, I suspect it's more likely to be a failing pump. What does everyone else think? Could faulty electrics cause such a noise or am I looking at a major mechanical failure here?

PS

I've also noticed a new noise coming from the rear of the car when I release the hand-brake, sounds like a suspension problem and could probably be unrelated but I just thought I'd mention it. Joy.

Oh and i'm in a 2002 1.4 Fabia Classic :/

Any advice would be appreciated.

Ryles

the pas pump does take a huge current from the battery if you turn the steering wheel when stationary, could have been the cause of the failed battery.

err well the battery failed 6 weeks ago, well before any of this PAS stuff started and I'm not in the habit of moving my wheels while stationary, I just did it last night cos I'd noticed a new noise when steering.

i was just going along the lines of an alternator/charging problem maybe??

oh see what you mean, it's not the alternator, that's also been checked.

anybody else an opinion on the matter?

A right task checking the PAS level isnt it..lol

I'd get the fault codes read off in the PAS system, it should have logged something.

A sensor is a distinct possibility.

Yeah I practically had to dismantle my engine...for the first time....in the dark.

I couldn't actually see anything else to tinker with though, I assume you'd have to link it to some sort of diagnostics software to get a fault code reading?

I like the idea of the faulty sensor, sounds a lot cheaper than a faulty PAS pump lol but I'm dubious that would cause the whining sound I getting from my wheels though.

In case anybody's arsed, turns out it WAS the PAS sensor, cost £60.00 for the part + labour, total bill = GBP202.00.

Better than a grand for a new power steering pump I suppose

Allready asked this in the Tech forum, but here goes...

Is the sensor a simple thing to replace?

Found a website selling all manner of Skoda bits much cheaper than the dealer.

* Steering Rack Sensor

* STSI 6Q2423291A

* 6Q2423291

* £62.99 + Vat

* P&P £8.99 + Vat

* garage equipment, skoda parts, leister hot air tools, workshop equipment, ravaglioli

Quite Tempted to invest in one if it's a simple re-fit.

Don't suppose anyone has a scan of the relevant page in the new Haynes Manual?

How about a how to guide?

Fabia-vrs.com - Replacing the Fabia PAS sensor

A search would have turned that up.

In case anybody's arsed, turns out it WAS the PAS sensor, cost

God - took my mate under half an hour to swap my PAS sensor. I must tell him he's in the wrong market.

How about a how to guide?

Fabia-vrs.com - Replacing the Fabia PAS sensor

A search would have turned that up.

Thanks for that.