Thread: Power Steering Failed

2000 Fabia 1.4 16V

Can any body help with a power steering problem on my OH car.

On start up, light stayed on, zero power steering, stop engine and start again all was fine.

Checked fluid, a little low, so topped up, bled the system, a lot of bubbles but did not notice any drop in fluid level.

Started a few times, all seemed fine.

Next day, no light, OH did a couple of small trips, but then when starting engine, light came on, no steering, and would not go out.

After 20 minutes of AA man poking at it, steering came back, drove home.

Since then pretty much same, but currently totally dead.

Cleaned connectors, seemed to fix it but then went again.

Check data cable back to ECU, all have continuity.

Checked battery voltage, fine, charging voltage is about 14.4V, which seems fine to me but haynes manual says it must not go over 14V, is this right?

Fuse to pump looks fine.

Ground connection looks good.

I have tried disconnecting the sensor that is on the steering column.
While it was working, made no difference, just the light came on.
While it was not working, just made no difference.

Tried to download codes, none found but I only have a U281, and it does not mention power steering so don’t think it can talk to the steering pump, or should any coded be stored in the ECU?

Anybody know what voltages should be on the data cable?

What else can I check?

Please help, can’t afford to take to garage, and anyway, last time the quote was hundreds for a new throttle, where rude and abusive when I suggested maybe it was something else as this had been replaced 2 years earlier, turned out to be a broken wire.

Also don’t want to fit a new pump until 100% sure it is not something else as I can not afford to waist that sort of money.

Thanks in advance

Chris

I do not think its to do with the charging system Does it come on when you steer in a particular direction ?

Originally Posted by TDI 100

I do not think its to do with the charging system Does it come on when you steer in a particular direction ?

No, I have tried pointing the wheels left,right and straight, then starting the car, makes no difference.

If the steering is working, it then works 100% fine until I stop and then start again, apparently after a short while.

I can only seggest that you try and find what the resistants at the pump should be. when light comes on test to check it.