Power Steering Not Working!!

[S.DUNN]

Has Anyone Had A Problem With Their Power Steering? I Have A Steering Wheel Sign In Red On My Dis With The Associated Three Bib`s Also The Abs Light Is On.the Steering Is Very Stiff But The Brakes Seem Ok.
I Have Eventually Found The Reservior On The Lower Near Side Of The Engine Bay.it Did Not Require Much Fluid To Top It Up So It Has Not Lost All Its Fluid.i Can`t Find The Fuse For The Electric Hyd Pump And I Do Not Have A Wiring Manual So I Do Not Know If There Is Any Relays In The System.thus It Looks Like The Dealer For It But They Can`t Fit It In Until Mid Next Week!!
it has turned out to be a Hyd pump failure!!!! £498 or £700 fitted I am really pissed off just before christmas.I am told they fail quite often! so watch out !

[crb1011]

i had that on my audi a few months back and it turned out to be a steering angle sensor which had gone and it was sending conflicting messages to the ECU. Saying that the power steering light came on but steering was not completely stiff. I had the ABS light and brake warning lights too along with the annoying beeps. The fault was diagnosed by VW assist man because i called them out when it went wrong. Cost me £271 to get it repaired but still fighting to get my money back but thats another long story. All you can do is take it to a dealer or if you have Audi or VW assist call them out good luck keep the forum informed of what was wrong if you can

[S.DUNN]

It has turned out to be a pump failure! £498 or £700 fitted inc VAT!!!!!!!

[Skipton01]

Has anyone else noticed what I can best describe as a 'notchy' feeling to the steering at low speeds (manouvring speeds really)?

It has been present on my car from new and I just put it down to design, but you've got me thinking now!

[ben]

No notching from my A2 - but then again I only have the 16" wheels - in case it's wheel specific...

B

[hollyrescue]

Skipton, I don't have that problem.

[Skipton01]

It's only very subtle - like a pulsing through the steering wheel when you're manouvring to park up for instance.

Might get onto Audi after Christmas then.

[vinnyk]

Mine has recently (2 weeks ago) develop a slight stiff steering problem too. It appears to become stiffer when turning corner and at slow speed. Anything I should check first before sending it into the dealers and get robbed.

[crb1011]

wow thats an expensive repair. thank goodness I have a decent warranty but saying that dont want it to happen as it means taking it to a garage with all the usual hassle.

[maersk]

Ah, pulsing at low speed - that'l be the pump then.

[vinnyk]

If the pump is the problem, is it an urgent matter that need fixing asap or can I wait till my service in about 3 months time? It sounds like I will have to spend over £1000 to have my car service and put it right.

[vinnyk]

Just took my car to Ridgeway Audi, they have a quick check and can find nothing wrong, no leak, nothing, but somehow the fluid was very low. The lady at the servicing desk advised me that they have not seen a problem like mine and booked my car in for a full investigation in January for 3 days. The car drives fine now, it is the fluid after all. The question now is where did the fluid go?

[tdiman]

Don't wish to worry people but when a similar thing happened to my old sadly written off (not by me) 80 avant it was a leaking rack, cost £800 got it all back from the car dealer though

[Skipton01]

Well, further to my 'pulsing' problem, my power steering has now packed up completely!

I had 2 new tyres on the front yesterday, no problems (just the opposite in fact - Yokohama A539's, really good rubber!), drove to Ikea in Leeds today, everything fine.

Just pulled into the car-park when the oil warning light came on, so I topped-up from the bottle in the boot and went into the madness that is Saturday afternoon Ikea!

Came out and started the New Tank, only to be greeted by the steering warning lamp and really, really heavy steering.

Got Audi Assistance out, who basically said it looks like your pump's f**ked mate, if you want to hang around for 2-3 hours we'll get you a tow, or you can drive it back yourself!

So, I did drive it back and I've now got biceps like Arnie!

I'll be calling in at Smith Knight Fay tomorrow with the results of my VAG-COM scans, which basically say that there is too much current from the alternator (as well as a few other bits and bobs).

Looks like I'll not be able to enjoy my new rubber for a while.

I'll keep you updated.

[spike]

Hi Skipton
Is the pump failure related to a loss of oil ?
Just wondered if Audi Assistance checked the level in the power steering reservoir - just visible under the passenger side headlamp as you probably know.

Cheers Spike

[Skipton01]

Honest answer is "dunno" - Audi Assist was nothing more than an RAC bloke, who didn't even know how to remove the bonnet9!) never mind how to check the fluid levels!

I know where the reservoir is, but checking it is another matter, it really is tucked out of the way. According to ELSA, the front bumper needs to come off before you can work on the pump (which is directly attached to the reservoir).

I'll be visiting the stealers today, but don't expect much from them, because service is shut till Monday.

If I can leave it with them and get a courtesy car, that'll do for now.

[Skipton01]

Well, I'm now driving an A3 2.0 TDi DSG whilst the New Tank is being fixed - cracking car!

Looks like it'll be about a week from what I've been told :0(

More when I know it.

[crb1011]

I had an A3 TDI as a curtisey car and yes I agree its a great car but not sure if I would have the means to own one running costs a bit too high for me. How did you manage to get it sorted out on a Sunday. You must have special powers. Is your car under warranty still as it sounds like an expensive repair job.

[Skipton01]

Well as for running costs, it's doing about 43mpg at the moment, compared to about 50 for my chipped A2.

As for special powers, I have built up a relationship with the sales manager, who has the authority to issue courtesy vehicles, I've put quite a bit of business his way in the last 4 years, having had 2 cars from them, as well as over £1000 in parts.

As for warranty, yes - the car is only 17 months old and has already had it's steering angle sensor replaced some 6 months ago. It may not be connected, but it sure is a coincidence.

I must say that the build quality if this A2 is certainly not up there with the first one I had - it's far more rattly and has suffered from a dropping drivers door, corroding trim pieces, faulty sensors and more.

Right, I'll post more when the service team get back to me.

Bye for now.

PS, I hope your cruise is still to your liking Toby!

[alexm]

Hey Skipton,

you warranty is still valid then, even though you've chipped your car?

Have to agree with you, even though I love my A2, its not the most robustly built of cars. Yes all cars have their faults but there do seem to be alot of 'A2isms'. Maybe 'cause it never sold the units that Audi had hoped for they didn't bother ironing out all the niggles that crop up on new motors once they're put into production. :(

[GrayB]

A bit off topic - but we were in a friends A3 2.0TDI a while back (manual g/box) and thought it a bit noisy and rather too much vibration from the engine.... Same friends wife's 147 JTD is more refined!

[Skipton01]

Yes Alex, it is still warranted and yes, my dealer does know of the re-map.

As regards the smoothness (or lack of it) of the 2.0 TDi engine, all I can report is what I find - this particular A3 (which has done 3200 miles) is silky smooth and very quiet and refined. Yes, you know it's a diesel you're driving as opposed to a petrol, but it is a very civilised powerplant, especially compared to the somewhat raucous 3-pot engine in the A2.

I am somewhat tempted to ask my dealer to just do a straight swap, to make up for the various faults I;ve had, but a) I don;t think he'll go for it, no matter how good a relationship we enjoy and b) it wouldn't be fitting for a co-owner of this forum not to be an A2 driver!

[Mark Brigg]

Hi Skipton,
I tried a straight swop for an A3 2,0l tdi too - Smith Knight and Fay at Stockport. But the drop was simply too big fo me to accept for my A2.

By the way keep looking out for you in Skipton!

[Skipton01]

Very drole!

And by the way, I don't live in Skipton, it's a long story how I got my nickname but I actually live over the border in Saddleworth (look at the Googlemap for more info).

[Skipton01]

My dealer phoned up to ask me what the problem was today, despite me providing them with a full VAG-COM scan, showing a number of DTCs - I am not impressed. They say they can't find a problem and that there are no fault codes listed!

So either I imagined it all and somehow managed to get VAG-COM to agree to my dream, or it's an intermittent fault which could come on again, possibly whilst on the move, which doesn't bear thinking about, or they're incompetent. One of the 3 options is correct and I'm erring towards the middle or latter ones.

I've just penned a very long letter of complaint to Audi UK - we'll see what happens.

[Skipton01]

Right - the latest installment!

I picked the New Tank up from the dealers this morning and did a scan on it there and then, just to see that all was tickety-boo, which the scan confirmed.

They said they'd not been able to trace down the power steering fault, but they'd adjusted the bonnet catch as I asked, to stop 1 rattle and then given it a wash and brush up (neglecting to fix a dodgy reversing light switch too, 'cos they couldn't find a problem).

I drove off (eventually, after dropping the mother of all stalls when I forgot I wasn't in a DSG car any more!) and the spouse and I wnet doing the usual Saturday shopping.

Lunchtime came and went and although I noticed quite a few minor paint marks (which I think have been done by the dealers, but I cant' be sure) and a bubbling piece of ally trim (which has already been replaced once), I was quite glad to have the little, characterful A2 back home.

I set off back to the dealers, to report these minor faults (oh, and the bonnet catch rattle had re-appeared by now again!) and I was feeling quite chipper!

Got onto the M60 at Ashton and a loud beep alerted me to a problem - I didn't know what, because I was just joining and was looking over my shoulder at the time.

I looked down to see the bloody power steering/ABS light on again, but couldn't really tell that there was a fault, due to my speed and the straightness of the road. As soon as I came off at Stockport howver, it was a different matter - the power steering had failed again, only 4 hours since I took the New Tank back.

Anyway, I was very calm at the dealers (although I could feel my face flushing with the blood pressure) and I'm back in the A3 again. The gauling thing is, I got the New Tank back with the fuel light on, and put £36 of diesel in, which they'll use now to test it with. I've got to fill up the A3 tomorrow again as well, cos that was on a 1/4 tank.

I really am in a quandry as to what to do, do I keep persevering, or chip the New Tank in for the nearest thing in their current range, the Sportback A3? Part of me wants to see the back of that car, I know it'll take a long, long time to get the trust back again, but then again, I do love it to bits.

And you can't take the back seats out of a Sportback, to take bulky Ikea purchases home!

Ho-hum!

[spike]

Hi Skipton
In a way it is a blessing that the power steering fault returned so quickly - at least the dealer should be able to get on and fix it this time. Assuming they do a good job then hopefully within a few weeks you will have forgotten about this daft idea of trading the Tank in for an A3. Purely on a selfish note, i'm sure sure none of us would want to loose you from the A2oc.

Now I know it's down to personal taste but I nearly bought a facelift (surgery which definitely went wrong) A3 just after the launch. When the deal was about done, I took one final look at the gleaming motor in the showroom - and tore my cheque up. The A3 used to be one of the nicest looking Audi's in the range but with that new grille - yuk.
I guess from the model you were looking at you would be talking of over £15K to change. Reliability is unlikely to be any better than the A2 so just imagine what would happen to the blood pressure while discussing a new VagCom printout with the service manager.

Seriously, my advice would be to get the Tank fixed, run it another month, then decide if you really want to get rid.

Cheers Spike

[Skipton01]

Hi Spike,

Firstly, let me assure you that I don't particularly WANT to get rid of the New Tank for an A3, and I agree that another Audi will be susceptable to the same niggles and faults as my current car.

In any even, I wouldn't resign from the A2OC (unless it was deemed that I had to actually own an A2), so no worries on that front.

I actually do like the look of the new grille on 2005/06 Audis - you could say that the 'goatee' has grown on me! But the A3, although a much more refined car in every sense of the word is just so much more bland. I bought into the A2 because of its design first and foremost. Then when I found out that it was (meant to be) quite economical and spacious, they were the icing on the cake and I've run an A2 for the last 4 years now.

You are ultimately right - I will take back the New Tank when they say it's fixed (again) and run it for a good while longer, fingers crossed! I hope to be turning up to the Audi Driver International meeting in an A2 again this year, otherwise I'll be shunned by the group and miss out on a chance of a biscuit from Woolys missus!

[ben]

Hey Mike,

Sorry to hear about the A2 woes. I know how frustrating it can be when the dealer doesn't resolve issues first time. I spent nearly 3 months in various courtesy cars when I had my second A2. It's the hassle and inconvenience that's the real grind. On the plus side - you aren't putting any miles on your A2.

I'm sure you'll keep us in the loop over the next few days - but in the meantime, I'll send you a set of window stickers to remind you of why the A2 is such a great car. Reading this has prompted me to get the discount cards sorted out too (see announcements in an hour or so...) :)

Take it easy,

Ben

[ULP]

Mike, I will be most dissapointed if I turn up to have my cruise fitted on the 6th May and there is some pox-box on the drive rather than 'little tank'. I hope you get it sorted and I know how annoying it is when garages can't repair what should be a simple fault.

My Punto JTD had a fuel pump fail which the local garage were incapable of diagnosing; a new ECU was on order (...) when some Fiat Techs from Slough turned up to look at a Stilo (no surprise there) and had a look at mine while they were at it. They diagnosed the fault in 5 minutes; the service manager was a little embarrased to say the least!

I'd ask them to keep your car until the fault is catagorically sourced and rectified.

[Skipton01]

Pox-box? What's on eof those?

Anyway, to continue the saga, I got a call from Smith Knight Fay in Stockport this morning to say that they'd tracked the fault down to a fuse which had blown, but not cleanly so that it kept making contact intermittantly!

That's all well and good, but why was it missed last week, what made it blow (they're 80amp fuses!) and has any further damage been caused by it reconnecting periodically?

I'm going to see them this afternoon and to take it for a drive with a technician beside me.

Ho-hum, such is life I s'pose!

[ULP]

Pox-box? What's on eof those?

An A3 ;)

Glad to hear it is looking close to being sorted. However, blowing an 80amp fuse needs a bit of effort!

[Rob Earl]

80A fuse @12V = 960W. I take it this means the power steering pump is all but a 1kw electric motor??

[Skipton01]

Well, I am coming rapidly to the end of my tether!

I had a test ride (albeit around the dealership) with the workshop manager this afternoon, to point out various faults (or what I consider faults) on the A2. The steering problem seemed to be sorted, but I showed him the amount of pull to the left (it actually went left despite the adverse road camber!), the brake judder, the EGR noise and various squeaks and rattles.

He has arranged for me to book in for two days in April to sort these out. Apparently, the blown fuse was not actually blown, but had failed mechanically, leading to it being able to still short out if jolted. This part of their story was changed after I asked for the reason behind an 80A fuse going in the first place.

I was told that as they didn't have another one there, they'd soldered it back together and put it back on my car and they'd order one in to be fitted when I take the car in in April.

I was also told that they needed the car I'd been issued with back, as it was a demonstrator and they needed to use it - great!

So, I left the dealership, once again quite chipper at having the New Tank back. I picked the missus up from work and went to a council meeting, met her again afterwards and stopped off for some food on the way home. When I got back into the car and started it up, the dreaded error symbol returned, but then went out after a couple of seconds, and all was fine.

We had dinner, then I had to go out and lo and behold, the warning came on again, but went out as before.

On my return journey, the warning lit up again only this time it stayed lit and the power steering was gone again.

I drove home and immediately put the VAG-COM on it. This revealed a different code to the one last week - a failure of the steering control unit ie the pump/reservoir assembly.

As I was parked awkwardly (I basicallly slung it in out of disgust) I decided to park the car properly to save time in the morning. I started it up and the steering was back to normal!

So, a quick 3 pointer later I turned the engine off, got out of the car, locked it and waited a few seconds, then got back in and started again - the warning light was back, but then self-extinguished after a few seconds. This happened again, and again, then on the 4th attempt, it came on and stayed on.

I am getting so frustrated now - I'm not even angry any more, I've gone past that stage. I'll be phoning Audi Customer Care again in the morning - we're on first name terms now! Depending on what they say, I'll be back to S.K.F and really in their faces this time.

What makes it so much worse is knowing that the A2 is not in production any more and that I couldn't get another like mine even if I tried. I really think they can't be bothered any more and that I'm just a whingeing b*gger who has a little knowledge (a dangerous thing?). In fact, although nothing was said today, I got the impression that they thought I'd sabotaged the fuse to carry on the problem, although to what end I don't know.

[spike]

Hi Skipton
You may know this already but according to an article I read, the electric steering pump is fitted with a thermal cut-out and a pressure regulating valve. The pump works hardest during slow speed manouvers (parking) so if the regulator is sticking, this could overload the motor and cut out the pump. Repeating the switch off / restart cycle may have been enough to override the thermal cut-out and blow the fuse(or melt the solder) again. Did one of your scans also show high alternator current ?

Cheers Spike

[Skipton01]

No Spike, no high current.

Also, yes, I am aware of the thermal cut-out on the unit, but this is not the issue here - on tonights occasions, all faults whether self-clearing or not, happened on starting the car, before any manouvring took place. This was also the case on the original occasion at Ikea. Only last Saturday did it actually occur whilst driving and that was whilst the wheel was fairly static, on the approach to the M60.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

[Skipton01]

Audi are now stripping the entire front end of the New Tank and it looks likely that it will need a new ECU and steering controller module!

If it were up to me, I'd ask for a new alternator/voltage regulator as well, because that was the first fault code showing 10 days ago, but it isn't up to me and I still get the impression that SKF want to do the job with the minimum of parts changed.

In all probability, I'll now be parting from the New Tank - I just can't trust it any more. Besides which, if/when I come to sell in a few years, when asked the question "Any problems?" what do I do: lie or tell the truth and knock a large sum off my asking price!

If Audi are so confident of the car, let them tell that to a new buyer, I haven't got the front to lie.

If I do end my period of ownership, will I be ostracised from the club? And what about future meets? I still intend to get my other half into an A2 in the future, but she won't have my current one in light of what's happened to it and frankly, I don't blame her.

[Emm]

I'm Gutted i won't be able to read your rants!!

Only joking

Are you going to stay away from Audi's? It seems the Dealer are your biggest problem, if they sorted it the first time you went in, you would possibly be more confident with the "New Tank"

With a Dealer like that, it may not matter what Audi you have!!

Emm

[GrayB]

I must admit that if I had experienced this nightmare, I'd be thinking twice about having another Audi!

It's a bit like the Mercs made after the mid 90's, with their rust issues and dodgy electrics. Our 98 C-class had a rust spot go nearly through the roof with no external damage to the paint to explain it... Wouldn't buy another one from a later year!

[Mark Brigg]

Dear Skipton,
Really sorry to read about your woes. I bought my A2 from the same dealer as you. They were Ok in sorting out my long list of problems, pulling to the left, wheels needing balancing and one replacing cause it was bent(part contribution, Sir?). The Sat Nav plus went thankfully whilst still under warranty cause the head unit needed replacement. They did all of this painlessly- well apart from the inconvenience of the drive from Skipton to Stockport. In the end what did it for me was the coil packs. They told me there would be no damage to the catalytic converter whilst driving with a missfire. I've since had 7 of these fitted. But I swopped to Audi Bradford and they have been really Ok with me. So too has Audi customer service. My A2 has loads of extras and when I read all the threads of this and that going I begin to think of Toyotas and Skodas. But the A2 is an engaging little car in its own right. I am due the second service at 37k and will report. I would be disapointed not to read your contributions in the future.

Perhaps Skipton, you need to be a United player to get good service in Stockport?

[Skipton01]

I know what you mean, but my hands are pretty much tied - I won't get a good price from a non-Audi dealer and besides, I pretty much think my particular car is a Friday afternoon special.

I've just had another phone call from Audi UK saying that they are moving towards a resolution (!) and that they are now thinking that the root cause of the problem is water in the electrics (!) , and the ECU (!!!).

To me, that sounds like an excuse for not replacing anything, ie saving money on components (the dealer has already tod me that they won't replace anything that can't be absolutely proved to be broken, because they won't get paid out from their warranty company).

So they put a hair dryer over the parts in question, bung a bit of silicone sealant around and hand the car back. I'm really not happy with a solution like that, I don't think it's unreasonable of me.

So, barring another A2 90 TDi (look at the dealer stock - there's 3 nationally, none with Open Sky and leather), the only other option open to me is a 5 door A3. It's not ideal, being a very bland looking car, but it's really my only option at the moment.

[Mark Brigg]

You won't get much of a price from an Audi dealer either. My A2 cost £17,5K second hand and 8 months old with 6K miles on the clock. Former Audi management car and was on the NEC Motor show stand in 2002. I wanted a car with sunroof and climate. I tried an A3 with Tdi 140 with CVT auto box as a loan car when the front roll bar was replaced (I have looked at lots of threads on this site, they're really interesting). It had amazing in mid range pull. After less than six months I was quoted £11k as a trade in. Ouch! Still I really bought the A2 for the longer term.

Re your electrical problems surely they must do more than simply dry them out. How old is your car? 12 months? I would speak again to Audi UK, maybe to one of their managers. I think of all the electrics in mine and I shudder. Don't give in. Non illegitemae carborundum.

If you don't have trust in Audi I have a V70 D5 SE since new. Nothing has gone wrong save a rear speaker needed adjusting. I have over 50k miles in 20 months in this bus. Its not as engaging as the A2 but is still decent to drive and very comfy. The dealers quote me a price for servicing and hey presto, thats what it is. Except the last service where the bill was £20 cheaper than quoted.

[Skipton01]

Hi Mark,

I'm still confident of a good price (very good considering the way they've messed me around and having Audi UK involved) because the sakes manager let it slip that any A2 he gets in is gone within a few days, for the asking price (this was on the first time I took it in).

Now knowing that there are only 3 TDi 90 sports in the Audi Approved National Network, and that none of them has leather, Open Sky, all-round electric windows etc etc (see my sig), it will go for around £16k-17k. My dealer won't make a profit from me on this and Audi UK have offered a contribution to another car, should I wish to go down that route.

I don't know what they're intending to do with the electrics - but I would have thought that drying them out would be the first option and see if they work. Let's be honest, they haven't been too thorough up until now have they, so why would they suddenly change now?

No, I'm going to hold and try to get like for like - 5 doors, leather, diesel, sport etc etc. I don't mind used, in fact bearing in mind my first A2 was used, it could be beneficial - let someone else sort the teething problems out.

I take on board what you say about Volvo, but as a biker, I can't bring myself to drive the carriage of Satan!

[Mark Brigg]

Hi Skipton,
It looks at least as though you will have some sort of acceptable deal to swop. I've noticed, or think I have, that second hand A2 prices have firmed a little since production stoped. Your A2 is a very nice spec, I bought mine basically cause it was well specced. Normally Audis are reliable and OK, I had an A4 estate 3 years ago as a company car. But previous VW's were a little hit and miss. My Passat 1,8 turbo was kept for 7 years and covered 155K miles with little more than servicing, but its predicessor was another story. Remeber the ad slogan "If only everything in life was as reliable as a VW". Some hope.

I have the Volvo because i can transport wife and kids to Germany for family visits. These days driving to the SE of Engalnd can take 7-8 hours, so comfort is premium. To get the wind in my hair I have to drop the drivers window!
Best of luck anyway.

[hollyrescue]

Skipton, I'm ashamed of you slagging off Volvos! I have been a biker (now retired), an instructor and examiner and any other biking credentials you like. The Volvo is the best car I have ever owned, and I don't get ripped off for service or repair. You've met my son, as macho as they come (world heavyweight champ), he loves the Volvo, particularly when the turbo kicks in.
The A2 is lovely too, but 'orses for courses, it won't tow my caravan, and the dealers are ....well you know. Sorry if it's a bit off subject, but Skipton is a good bloke and I don't want him to act like Jeremy Clarkson.

[Skipton01]

Getting a bit off-topic Dick, but I meant no offence - Volvo make cracking cars and they seem to run and run - very hard to kill a Volvo from what I've seen.

It's just that they did have a stigma amongst bikers (and couriers especially) - I guess I'll have to drag myself into the 21st century!

[ben]

When I was a young'un, we had a Volvo 121 Estate - we paid £109 in the early 80s - sold it for £200 a couple of years later (buying our first Saab). Never had a single issue with it (other than its weight).

Anyway Mike, good luck with the search for a replacement. I'll keep my eyes open. Would you consider a LHD vehicle - as you could get an S-Line version then without all the retrofitting effort?

B

[Skipton01]

Cheers Ben, but I don't think a left-hooker would be suitable as a long-term replacement. If the dealer wants, I can replace everything as standard and keep back the black intrerior to either use again or sell to another A2OC member.

The wall of silence that has just greeted me at the dealers was deafening! The New Tank was parked up on their forecourt but yet no-one from the 'service' department could tell me what was happening with the car.

It's looking like an A3 Sportback replacement (in black of course, with the s-line black interior) in either the 2.0TDi or 3.2 V6. If the latter, I'll get a gas conversion done at some point in the future. If not an A3, then I'll probably soldier on with the New Tank, but that's not looking like a probability now - the other half has experienced the joys of elbow room (both the A3 and the A4 I'm in now are far bigger internally) and she has even less faith in the 'repair' (hairdryer on the ECU?) lasting than I do.

Ho-hum. The saga continues on Monday!