Power Steering gone again

Ok, so I started to get worried and checked Ada this morning. All seems well I am pleased to say, but when Mike identifies a potential problem we should probably all check this out ASAP given that there has been a small number of A2's affected by fire.:eek:
 
It only takes some errant weld to cause a problem as a one off, which I reckon was the case here. Dremel or rotary file approaching from the right....................
 
Loom issues.... Been having issues with brake light coming on and feeling the brakes not being as good as usual took it to my local garage to have it fixed.... They found that there was a major issue with the wiring loom and that they could not get the system to reset because of it. They have advised me that having contacted audi there had previously been a "recall" but this has now timed out! I am left with the option of someone "hacking" it to get the replacement done or buying a new loom (they were suggesting that audi would probably charge in the order of 900 for this - if it was available at all!).

Any ideas ?

P
 
fantastic thread - thanks for te information.

My wife has just phoned me to inform me the steering has gone AGAIN on the A2, an intermittant fault which i have been struggling to locate, considered the alternator becoming faulty causing lack of voltage to power motor, but this rubbing wiring could be the culprit.

i look forward to investigating further.

Again, thanks for the write up. Stockport Audi are my local dealers as well.
 
after investigating the fault this am, i have concluded that i have a lazy alternator,
upon checking the battery voltage with the engine switched off, it returned a good a 12.7V, i then started the engine and checked again, 13.6v (lower than i would like) now the wife drives this a lot and likes her comforts!
so i switched on the following,
Radio, aircon, lights and wipers (as it happened when it was snowing the other morning)

then throw into the equation the fact she was in stationary traffic at idle for around 40 minutes,
i then turned the steering whilst still checking the voltage (i had a helper!!)

this gave 11.87volts! way lower than i feel would be required to keep the electric/hydraulic steering operating.

so i will check the engine earth is clean, battery earth to chassis it clean and monitor this, then order a new alternator if it continues.

any tips on the engine earth lead location? had a quick look, but then had to get to work.

I also checked the wiring at the nsf strut, this was fine and did not appear to be rubbing on anything that i could feel/see, thankfully!

Thanks

Rick
 
The earth point is behind one of the headlights. I think it's the left one off the top of my head. But more knoledgable members will put me right if I said the wrong side lol.

Cheers

David
 
Well now the weather is starting to turn i'm going to have a check of my looms. Got a long drive up to the lakes shortly bout time i had a good look round the bay.
 
I'll check my looms tomorrow but if anyone can suggest anything else please do. I had a failed front right ABS sensor wire (1.4TDi Sport so 17" wheels etc usual rubbing issue) which I have now repaired and I have no dash warning lights but whilst I was driving about with the failed ABS light on the steering starting becoming heavy / unpredictable when turning left and especially when beginning to turn in at speed whilst dragging the brakes slightly. It appears intermittent. Now the ABS sensor is repaired I still have the intermittent power steering issue, which is well dodgy when driving quickly as it feels like no assistance on turn in but then assistance suddenly appears causing a sharpening of steering angle. Only appears to effect left handed corners.

I thought the steering was all electric, but from reading I see its electric motor which drives a power steering pump - so could be alternator (car has done 190,000m) does anyone know if alternator is more likely than sensors or wiring given I have no warning lights? I have a VAGCOM which I haven't used yet so I guess that might shed some light...

Cheers

Richard
 
Hmmm ... the container that is either too thick to see the fluid level through it, or is virtually empty! (had it serviced about 8 weeks ago...) thanks for the heads up, I need to get the headlight off to check properly.
 
Yes, whip the headlight out and unscrew the cap then have a peek. My PAS went squiffy a while back turned out the fluid reservoir was almost empty. Filled it up and been fine ever since.
 
Yup, stuck about 0.5L in and all is well - given how corroded one of the headlight bolts was I imagine its never been topped up in 190,000m! ... had to drill it in the end, off to find a suitable riv-nut tomorrow, many thanks for the (correct) suggestion.
 
Guys
I'm new here, but I'm looking to find out why the power steering fuse (38?) blows from time to time. I've not taken the car to pieces as per the OP, but I have checked that cable run and it all looks to be fine. I've had a dealer look at it and they've drawn a blank. Is it possible to single each each cct and fuse separately?
 
My power steering keeps cutting out when I start the car, happened first in a motorway services carpark on the way home from when I bought it, stopped the engine restarted it and it worked again. Next day it happened again and today twice. (I've had the car 3 days so far) Same each time, Just started the car and begin to move, start turning the wheel and beeep then the light on the dash in the form of a steering wheel and no power steering. Stop the engine, restart and it works again. It is a little worrying. I will check the fluid and examine the wires as described. Any other advice appreciated.
 
Hesketh said:
My power steering keeps cutting out when I start the car, happened first in a motorway services carpark on the way home from when I bought it, stopped the engine restarted it and it worked again. Next day it happened again and today twice. (I've had the car 3 days so far) Same each time, Just started the car and begin to move, start turning the wheel and beeep then the light on the dash in the form of a steering wheel and no power steering. Stop the engine, restart and it works again. It is a little worrying. I will check the fluid and examine the wires as described. Any other advice appreciated.
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I’ve had this happen to A2’s in the past that have had a bad battery, overnight when they have discharged a bit. No further issues throughout the day and then the same again the next day. Charging the battery solves it temporarily but a new battery solves it permanently. Well worth getting a diagnostic don’t first though before spending any money.
 
Given it's just after starting i.e. a big drain on the battery, that's where I'd be looking. We know the car stood for a year until recently and batteries don't like that.
 
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