Power steering failed, changed battery

[ahughes3]

Hi all,

i hope you can help me. I have a 2008 (2010 reg) 1.4 TFSI Ibiza sport. The power steering has failed. There was a kinda of groaning noise when turning the wheel, not constantly but some of the time. Today the steering has failed and I’m trying figure out how to fix it.

Using the forums on here, I’ve already replaced the battery which made no difference.

i read something about the fuses on top of the battery so that’s my next avenue before having to replace the pump itself.

So my question is, can I replace a single fuse on the battery fuse box? I mean is it straight forward enough to do?

Second question, if not a simple replace; could I replace the whole battery fuse box unit and would that be reasonably simple for a generally competent chap like myself?

Lastly, are the battery fuse box units different between the petrol and diesel models, or are they interchangeable I.e. 1.2TDi for 1.4TFSi.

Thanks in advance. Happy to supply further info if needed.

Andy

 

[mty12345]

Has it got fluid in it? Groaning usually means the pump is working but there is no/low fluid

 

[ahughes3]

Has it got fluid in it? Groaning usually means the pump is working but there is no/low fluid

I’ll be honest, I hadn’t checked that. I read a post on here that said the power steering fluid should never really need topping up.

Do you know if there is a min-max level on the bottle?

Also, the steering pretty much stopped working overnight. Wouldn’t lose fluid cause it to slowly stop working?

thanks for your help

 

[mty12345]

I’ll be honest, I hadn’t checked that. I read a post on here that said the power steering fluid should never really need topping up.

Do you know if there is a min-max level on the bottle?

Also, the steering pretty much stopped working overnight. Wouldn’t lose fluid cause it to slowly stop working?

thanks for your help

No worries. If you have a leak then lack of fluid will definitely cause it to stop working when it reaches a certain level. It will also burn the pump out pretty quickly as the fluid is also used to cool and lubricate it as well as for the steering. The groaning noise was almost certainly the pump running without enough fluid, so that air is getting drawn into it. It's probably reached a point where there isn't enough fluid to work at all.

The max/min is usually on the dipstick that is attached to the cap of the bottle, or marked on the bottle itself. Chances are if you top it up, the leak might be slow enough that it will be ok until you can book it into a garage. If it's pouring out then every chance you will destroy the pump if you carry on driving it. If that is the case then i'd unplug the electrical connector to prevent damage.

Most common place for a leak is the steering rack itself, although you may get lucky and it's just coming from a pipe.