I bought my Fabia 1.4MPi 8v (2001 reg, 44,000 miles) a few months ago from an approved Skoda used car garage. Since then I've had numerous problems with power steering sensors (mostly the steering angle sensor which is mentioned quite a lot on these forums!) It's been in the garage (where I bought it from) 7 times in 3.5 months and I've just been told that the problem with the power steering is a faulty steering rack (water has entered it and corroded inside it, as well as damaging the steering angle sensor), and that the repair, which is to replace the whole steering rack + sensors, is not covered under the used car warranty because it's classed as water ingress damage. Nobody can tell me how the water got into the rack, but the warranty company helpfully suggetsed that it normally happens when the car is submerged in water. I politely told them that my car hadn't been through anything deeper than a normal puddle since I owned it, but that doesn't seem to matter to them.

I'm a little annoyed because a) I've taken the car in 7 times and had 2 new steering angle sensors before the garage have actually looked into the problem properly and discovered the water damage. If they'd diagnosed this correctly initially I would have returned the car within the 1 month/1,000 mile return period.

Surely the garage should check the steering rack as standard doing their MPI which they trumpet so loudly about. It takes quite a while for metal to corrode so it hasn't happened overnight and was probably there before I bought the car. I've been sold a right lemon of a car here and am going to have to pick up a bill of around

The best I can do is point you to this post I put up earlier...

HTH

Ive had to have the rack replaced , though not through water ingress , but due to leaky seals which let all my power steering fluid escape! As you say the bill was a big 'un , and thoughfully occured 3 weeks after the end of the used car warranty. Ho hum.

The reason the original angle sensors fail is because they suffer from water ingress which corrodes the sensor,. The new type is better sealing. Sounds like water had penatrated past youyr sensor and into the rack itself.

There would be no way you could see this on a used car check, its not obvious unless you strip it down.

Oh dear you guys are getting me worried now especially after my rather large leak which I have just had and now my steering light coming on.

My stearing tonight seems to be making a strange noise when I turn the wheel I get a whiring/winning type of noise especially if I hold it on full lock it's even louder. is this normal or is there something up?

Sounds like the fluid is low, what was the leak?

Sounds like the fluid is low, what was the leak?

The leak was the classic one of it coming through into the passenger side fron underneath the glovebox all the water came through the air blower thing that is positioned to the right of the glovebox.

Could this effect the steering rack?

No

No

That has put my mind at rest somewhat

hopefully the fluid just needs filling up then

Mr Fabia 1.4 sounds like youre having all the classic fabia faults.

dont worry I have had this too.

rant rant:mad: stearing angle sensor then the ARB bushes & drop links.

roof areial no signal full of water, knackered rear wipe.

not to mention all the hastle with the crap mpg thermostat issue.

and the flipin cars only done 42K

had an Audi A4 2.6 se before the only bills for that were for suspension

Mr Fabia 1.4 sounds like youre having all the classic fabia faults.

dont worry I have had this too.

rant rant:mad: stearing angle sensor then the ARB bushes & drop links.

roof areial no signal full of water, knackered rear wipe.

not to mention all the hastle with the crap mpg thermostat issue.

and the flipin cars only done 42K

Mine has done 41K so very similar

My next concern is the ARB bushes/suspension as it doesn't half squeek on speedbumps I had one coil spring done as it failed the MOT on it which was done when I bought it.

Fabia 1.4, if its squeeking /creaking over speed bumps or turning left or right.

then get those ARB bushes done, drop links are also worth doing.

suspension seems to be a weak point on all VAG stuff as my Audi had all its front susension replaced around 55K.

you will notice the handling crisps right up stearing too once there done.

I think it cost me

Fabia 1.4, if its squeeking /creaking over speed bumps or turning left or right.

then get those ARB bushes done, drop links are also worth doing.

suspension seems to be a weak point on all VAG stuff as my Audi had all its front susension replaced around 55K.

you will notice the handling crisps right up stearing too once there done.

I think it cost me

Ive had my ARB bushes done , and a coil spring as well! I'm only on 36K miles...lol