Help power steering failure!

[TDI_Burd]

Hey everyone,

I have a 2003 1.4 TDI polo and i have no power steering lol

Basically i went out today in the car and all was fine, then i stopped and came back couple of hours later and my power steering light stayed on and i have no power steering! There was no signs that there was something wrong and got fluid checked tonight and its fine too, Am i looking at a new pump or could it be the angle sensor that i have read that some of these cars have?

Claire

[RUM4MO]

At the cost of most of these parts, I'd suggest getting the power steering module scanned to see what it thinks is wrong before dashing out and replacing anything. Remember it could be a duff car battery or just corrosion on the connectors on the pump/module assembly - or lots of other small things.

[TDI_Burd]

Take it i need to get on vag com to get power steering scanned? Batery is minted as my volts are dinky do, Didnt have time to look at pump tonight willget other half out tomorrow see if there is corrision round the pump before buying anything

cheers

[K.I.T.T.]

So is the battery holding charge? Is the alternator charging properly? Could be the common alternator sense wire fault...

Ash

[TDI_Burd]

I have an additional volt gauge in the car next to a boost gauge and the battery is holding perfect charge! What is the common alternator sense wire charge?

cheers

[K.I.T.T.]

Ah never mind then, I read your last post wrong. On TDIs, it's common for this wire to snap near the connector (in front of the gearbox when you're under the car; 5 min DIY fix once the car's jacked and on axle stands). Tell tale sign is that the battery warning light doesn't glow when you turn the ignition on (ie before you start it). As long as you get ~14.4v on startup you're fine. If the wire's snapped, the alternator doesn't start charging unless the engine's been revved past ~3k RPM. My power steering didn't work after I left the car locked up for for 5 weeks...started fine, but the battery was low on charge and the alternator didn't work until later on. Ran the car for over 2 years like this oblivious to the problem as I usually revved it past 3k RPM on every journey...would have had a flat battery otherwise.

Ash

[TDI_Burd]

ok cheers

will pass this info on to the other half, I did find it strange as i did only stop the car left it for 2 and a half hours then went back to it and no power steering havent noticed the battery light but will try that tonight. We did notice one wire near the driveshaft was worn. Does it make a difference that my oil light was flashing yellow when there is enough oil in the car? Wouldnt the pump have made weird noises if it was on its way out? lol Sorry for all the questions jsut want it sorted as i hate driving the other halfs saxo lol

[TDI_Burd]

ok so battery light is fine, and most wires are fine too. I think im going to need to get the car vag com'd and checked that way to see whats happening

anyone else any ideas?

Cheers

[TDI_Burd]

Does anyone know if the angle sensor on the polo is on the rack or behind the steering wheel? As there is a sensor on the bottom of the rack

Anyone?

claire

[RUM4MO]

I think that it will be on the rack, AFAIK there is no sensors behind the steering wheel. Check out the Skoda forum for "how to change the steering angle senosr" I think that it will be in there.

[TDI_Burd]

Cheers skoda forum is very informative for this sort of problem still have the problem at the moment so need to sort out a few parts being changed lol

[RUM4MO]

Cheers skoda forum is very informative for this sort of problem still have the problem at the moment so need to sort out a few parts being changed lol

Yes, quite a handy place to look for info as the Fabia was launched first, I'm not disloyal to VW but I am also on that forum!