Power steering failure (again)

Ally

Member
Hi all, still experiencing intermittent power steering failure on my wife's A2. Steering warning amber light comes on dash, all is fine once engine turned off and restarted. Getting intermittent red battery symbol also (i.e. alternator fault). New battery fitted and run in. No starting problems and alternator appears to be fine (mechanic tested when bought battery) - and Mike very helpfully fitted new alternator belt and checked the ?pulley?.

My trusted merc and BMW specialist (prev had E Class) won't touch it for fear of spending hours looking for something he can't solve. Reluctant to let Audi spend hours looking and land me with a £1000 bill.

So, thinking of looking at the PS pump and associated wiring this weekend, just to try to eliminate things.

I've removed the headlight to check PS level - any tips on what else needs removing to get to the electrical bits running around the PS fluid area? Any tips or photos welcome if you've done this before. Does the bumper have to come off - and is this a big job?

It's a 2000 tdi75.

Had a browse through threads and can't find anything specific - oh, Mike did check for the wiring issue that caused him PS problems and nearly torched his baby!
 
Hi Ally,

sorry to hear of the recurrence - not good, especially at this time of year.

Are you experiencing any other faults, such as wildly varying temperature readings for the outside temperature?

As to inspecting the wiring, you should firstly check all the connections at the bottom of the nearside A pillar (remove the sill trim to get to these - all 8 fingers under the plastic as the side of the seat and sharply tug upwards, to undo the 3 clips). Check the earths there too (big nut connections).

If you need to get to the PS pump wiring, it's a bumper off job, which is a front wheels off job and arch liners out I'm afraid! Not for the faint hearted. When you're in, check for loose connections, there's another nut-secured earth in there too and take off the connectors, clean out with contact cleaner and make sure when replaced that they are making good contact.

Apart from this, there's nothing to really do but carry on until a permanent fault is seen, then there should be a code logged (there wasn't when I scanned the car before).

Best of luck - if you need help, just holler!

Cheers

Mike
 
Thanks for the help Mike, will have a good look around inside first at the weekend, not too sure yet that I want to remove the bumper. . . will let you know how I get on.
 
Replacement of alternator appears to have solved the power steering problem ! Several weeks now without any symptoms, so very pleased. VW specialist "Volkservice" in Blackpool - suggested by another member - were excellent. Highly recommend them, we'll be using them again.

Pity that Audi Preston were not able to locate the faulty Alternator when power steering problems were raised at recent service, and especially disappointed that they did not even check the power steering fluid after we mentioned the steering problems (it was below Min, so was obvious that they had not checked it). In my view, a car that is designed to go long distances between services should receive a thorough check when it does have a service.

Another win for the independent garages.
 
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