hello all

i got in the car after a day out and the battery was flat the car really didnt want to start but after a few attempts it just about started but the steering warnuing was on and i had no Power assist, on the drive home after about 25 mins the warning light went out and the steering was ok again!

when i got home i turned off the ignition and turned it back on and all seemed to be ok. no warnings

about 45mins later i went back out to check the car and plug in the vagcom. but again a flat battery! and when i did get the car to start i have warnings on the power steering

the vagcom warnings were for inplauseable signals and low voltage.

any ideas? i really can't afford a new pas unit so i'm hoping its something else! does anyone know a good/trustworthy mechanic in the redhill/reigate area? i've only just moved here and am redluctant to take it to the dealer.

Matt

The power steering is electric, if the battery is flat or failing you have no 'electric'.

1+1=2.

New battery and check the charge rate.

but could be that a faulty power steering unit is draining/shorting the battery?

how can i check the charge rate?

I wouldnt have thought so i would think your battery is knackered or the alternator isnt charging.

To check the charge rate connect a multi meter on voltage DC across the battery with the engine running.

thanks,

what would you expect to see? ill do that now

Under load (with lights, heater, HRW etc on) around 13-14v

yep under load was between 13-14 so the alternator is working i guess and when i first started to bat was 10v going up to 12.5 v after running for a few mins then when i restarted with the greater bat voltege ther was no steering error.

i assume the steering error can be ignored as this is result of the battery being flat flat and the battery is flat because one of two things either beacause its getting drained by one fault or it not holding its charge ? can i test this some how/?

maybe measure the current being drawn over the battery when the ignitin is off? is this possible?

i assume the steering error can be ignored as this is result of the battery being flat flat and the battery is flat because one of two things either beacause its getting drained by one fault or it not holding its charge ? can i test this some how/?

Go to a garage and get your battery "drop tested" that will tell you if you have a duff battery or not.

From what you say, I agree with Lummox , it's either a duff battery or some sort of current drain when the ignition is off... my bet's the battery though !

well i had the battery tested and the machine read "UNUSABLE" so a new battery it is! (had to go to halfords as it was the only place i could think of that would be open on a sundsy afternoon :(