Hi

I have a 2001 Fabia SDi, been in the family since new.

Been having problems over the past 2 months with my power steering, it's finally stopped working for the past 2 weeks. The battery was replaced only last week, so didn't think it was that. Removed the grille inserts to have a look at the unit to see how easy it might be to change the sensor. From the pic I took below it looks to me like the reservoir is punctured leaving no fluid in the pump, can anyone confirm that that is what is wrong?

If it is, is there anyway to seal the reservoir and refill the fluid, or would I need to replace the entire unit? I've heard some scary prices on here about replacing it. If it should be replaced is this a job that can be done relatively easily? I assume the battery would need to come out, but after that is it a case of swapping old for new and reconnecting?

(Apologies for the quality of the pic, it had to be stitched together from 2 pics)

Thanks

FABSDi

Right, first, I think that you will find that this is only the soundproofing cover - so its not the reservoir split and leaking. I'd try to get someone to run a fault code check on this system to see what has been logged - maybe just using VAG-COM. There is an steering andle sensor used by this system but its located on the steering rack. First thing you need to do is to find out what steering system is fitted to your car. Have a look at the other thread on "rubbish steering system" for clues and take it from there.

By the way there is a filler cap on top of this reservoir - low down and can be reached from under the bonnet - green cap - with a level mark (cold).

hi rum4mo

Thanks for the info. I managed to get my hand in through the grille insert and fell around, there seemed to be a foam liner in behind the broken section of plastic, which appeared to be a bit on the damp side?

Do you need to remove the battery to get to the filler, it looks a bit awkward? I don't have an obd cable/vag-com, and not sure of any non-franchised garages in the area I've moved to (Inverness), so don't want to spend too much getting it diagnosed with yet.

Cheers

I don't know how bad the access is on the SDI is but its okay, but awkward on the petrol cars, strange that Skoda would restrict access to something that needs checked every few months.

What exactly happens - I think that when the steering angle sensor fails the pump can get left thinking that there is a demand for assistance so the pump runs continuously. One other thing, does your charge warning light come on when the key is turned but the engine has not been started?

Dampness is the main cause for the pumps packing up to be honest.

There a pain in the rectum for it!

Hope yours is ok!

The battery is over the PAS pump, I dont want to remove the battery and its compartment, so it looks like i will need to take the headlight out and get in that way, very poor design.

Not likely to have been dampness recently, but could cold have done any damage? I now live near Aviemore, and it's been down to -12 several times recently and most of the past 2 months its been between -4 and -8 in the mornings.

I presume the charge warning is the alternator light (battery icon)?

I'll check the fluid as soon as I can.

Hi

I got myself a obd cable from ebay and put vag-com on a laptop. Connected to the car, ran scans on various sections. On 44, power sterring it cannot connect to the controller.

The other error I found was 01309 Power steering control module (J500), 49-0 No communications.

I changed the fuses round a bit so I knew I had a working one. The battery has just died on the laptop so I cannot clear this code at the moment to see if it comes back. But I'm assuming it will. Does this indicate a knackered pump, as I understand the pump ecu is part of the pump unit?

Thanks

FABSDI