Hi guys can any1 help me with regards to the problem i am experiencing with my power steering on my polo gti.

The power steering light comes on intermitantly and the power steering cuts off, took the car to the dealership they did a diagnostic test and report said that the battery voltage was low, they removed or they charged it and they said the problem was sorted, i drove off 10km later the problem arose again,
any idea what could be the problem, the agents qouted me like 20k to replace a new pump!! could ther be any other problem perhaps, any1 had or having the same problem, any1 advice and help?

Check the earth strap.

ok will do could it be the battery, the pump or the sensors so on

Found it:

MeanTdi wrote:Could be the earth strap from the battery to the ground of the car.

Also, have a read here:

MeanTdi wrote:Hi

Have a read here:

http://www.vwclub.co.za/phpbb3/viewtopi ... =3&t=92892

"...replacing the wire to the steering angle sensor!!"

or

"Had a similar problem/gremlin with a few of the polo's I've had and the solution was just to replace the wire/cable from the steering rack to the power steering pump...."

http://www.vwclub.co.za/phpbb3/viewtopi ... r+steering

http://www.vwclub.co.za/phpbb3/viewtopi ... 3&t=136968

If it's the pump the it will be dead/heavy all the time. Most likely a bad connection somewhere. Bad earth will most likely give other errors too, like ABS etc.

So check the flat fuses on top of the battery and all the sensor cables.

thnx guys problem sorted, the frikking flat 50amp fuse on the battery was blown, i uesed a "under the tree mac" and he used his launch diagnostic machine and it picked up a fault saying communication error then we checked the fuses on the battery and found that to be blown, all that stress and headache for a simple fuse replacement for R32-00 lol and the agents said i need to replace the pump at a cost of like 20k..............how cud vw not pick that up surprises me hey, thanx guys

I love this forum. Love the search.

Having the exact same issue on the SO's 9n3. I'll check fuses / earth strap etc and revert back.

Thanks kids

Experienced quiet a similar issue a few months back... even worse my instrument cluster would flash while acoustically beeping and the car would sometimes just cut off... however i had notices some corrosion on the battery positive terminal, i then poured some boiling water and was adviced to apply some grease or vaseline... Guess that got it sorted cause have'nt had the issue for months now...

Same problem on my polo 2010 power steering light is on steering getting hard at slow turns and my mech thinks its the bumo which vw wants me to pay 11k.

I have a Brand new rack for the 6R polos for sale with rack ends if anyone wants one.

conzale wrote:Same problem on my polo 2010 power steering light is on steering getting hard at slow turns and my mech thinks its the bumo which vw wants me to pay 11k.

Sold one today, R6k incl

Check the big fuses on top of the battery, they crack through from vibration - I've seen that twice now. The Polo got an electric motor turning the power steering pump and the fuse feeds the motor.

I should have updated, my issue turned out to be a fuse.

Gforce wrote:I should have updated, my issue turned out to be a fuse.

One off the cases I'm talking about above, the guy had his car at VW and they quoted him R3500 to find the problem and fix it. It took me two minutes and cost nothing, used a spare fuse. This is what bugs ne, VW must be aware of the problem and how easy it is to fix - why R3500?

Got a brand new pump from some shop in turfontein only paid 3K for it.

What are the chances of my power steering pump given up? It didn't give me any alert prior to this. I just went to fill fuel and switched of the car. When I got back to go off, the steering became extremely heavy and never eased off.

Caz0410 wrote:What are the chances of my power steering pump given up? It didn't give me any alert prior to this. I just went to fill fuel and switched of the car. When I got back to go off, the steering became extremely heavy and never eased off.

Do yourself a favour and check the fuse first.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Thanks GForce. I have found the fuses and have checked them on my TDi. It have a continuity contact. I have replaced the battery, relays and the steering fluid levels haven't moved but topped it up further. No joy as yet.

Im having this headache now, sent it to bosch to run a diagnostics test and check the fluid levels.
Apparently if i have to replace the power steering itll cost 20k-30k, is this true?

Had the same issue on my car guys. First it happens from time to time. I then checked earth cable - was corded. Replaced that all fine for a while. Then when the car was stopping on certain angles etc. no power steering. Then power steering went dead completely. All fuses was fine no issues. Then bought a new power steering pump from scrapyard for R5000 and took to the mechanic to replace. Replaced the pump - same story. Eventually took it to the auto electrician to check out. Diagnostic machine don't pick up anything. Turned out to be the electric plug on the steering rack that was dirty and cable a bit damaged. Fixed that - cost me R200 bucks and car is still running 100% up until today

Looks like a common problem on the 9n3's

So I finally got around to replacing my steering angle sensor cable last week. It runs close to the exhaust and when the engine moves a lot the exhaust can touch this cable and you get this:



The wires are exposed and will short giving you a slightly heavier steering and a nice yellow warning light on the dash.

It is a **** to replace and route through the engine bay if you don't have midget hands but do able none the less.

New cable was R650 from VW

Thanks gents,
Bosch ran a diagnostic for me and said they need to check/repair/replace the pump.

Im going to do all the below before they do that and charge me $$$.

1. Earth strap,
2. Fuses
3. Sensor cable,
4. plugs on the pump,
5. Battery

Am i missing something?

1FLYCTi wrote:Thanks gents,
Bosch ran a diagnostic for me and said they need to check/repair/replace the pump.

Im going to do all the below before they do that and charge me $$$.

1. Earth strap,
2. Fuses
3. Sensor cable,
4. plugs on the pump,
5. Battery

Am i missing something?

What are your symptoms?

day 1: 5 seconds the power steering light comes on, steering gets heavy.
day 2: 5 seconds the power steering light comes on, steering gets heavy.
day 3, drive 40km to and from work, no issues,
day 4: drive to work no issues, after work, light stays on for an hour and steering heavy (got the car towed) as soon as i got home, its back to normal.
day 5: no issues

Now its at bosch... they said machine fault code says electrical ( Im waiting for the exact code ) and they want to inspect the pump (R1200-00 just to take it out and look at it )

1FLYCTi wrote:day 1: 5 seconds the power steering light comes on, steering gets heavy.
day 2: 5 seconds the power steering light comes on, steering gets heavy.
day 3, drive 40km to and from work, no issues,
day 4: drive to work no issues, after work, light stays on for an hour and steering heavy (got the car towed) as soon as i got home, its back to normal.
day 5: no issues

Now its at bosch... they said machine fault code says electrical ( Im waiting for the exact code ) and they want to inspect the pump (R1200-00 just to take it out and look at it )

Sounds like steering angle sensor cable

If it was the pump it would be heavy all the time!