When I start the car and hold the key down in the starter position. The starter motor keeps turning after the engine has started and does not disenage till I let go of the key. Is this normal, as all my other cars starter motors have disengaged automatically when the ecu has sensed the engine is running. I keep thinking that I have a fault with the starter motor as it sometimes turns over slowly. The battery has been drop tested as in fine.

why would you want to turn the key when the engine is started?

If you stop turning the key when the engine has started then the problem will go

It was when it was cold and the engine wouldnt start, as it was turning over slowly. I kept the key held down and realised that the starter was still turning even though the engine was running. My point is that I am wondering if the solenoid is sticking and not releasing when the engine fires up. It could be the cause of my power steering light issue? If it is faulty or needs new bushes, it may be using a lot of power to turn the engine over. I was asking if it was normal or I may have a fault with the starter motor. In which case I wll fit new one.

i would suggest using the glowplugs in the cold. just to help it turn over.

don't think it would be related to your steering issue.

does it fire 1st time when its warm?

It has turned very slowly when it has been warm (10c and over). Yet other times it fires up first time. However the glow plug lights stay on for along time. I have changed the engine temp sensor, the glowplugs and the solenoid.

the starter motor maybe faulty , take it to an auto electrician , they should be able to do an current draw test on the starter ,this involves seeing how many Amps the starter is taking to turnthe engine over, if it is excessive then a new starter may be required

as the electric PAS requires an awful lot of current to work , then yes anything else faulty on the electrical side can cause PAS problems

get it vagcommed,

The solenoid and bushes on some VAG starters can get dirty. Servicing it and cleaning the items up or replacing the bushes where possible can solve this.