VW Golf 1.6 FSi (2004) - Reduced power assisted steering (VW Golf)

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Mon 8 Apr 2013 18:42
VW Golf 1.6 FSi (2004) - Reduced power assisted steering (VW Golf) - rspik
Hi,

I am new to this website and hope you can help me....

I own a 2004 VW Golf 1.6 FSi with 78k miles.

I have recently suffered the ill fated ABS pump failure - initially identified by the ESP switching itself off. However that has now been rectified but another problem has arisen...

Last week when I started the car first thing in the morning and drove out of my drive, there was a slight heaviness to the steering which quickly disappeared within about 20/30 yards of driving down my street.

The heaviness disappeared and (still to this day) has never returned.

However, I now have an amber warning light on my dash illuminated and the symbol is of a steering wheel.

Looking this up in the manual it tells me the car is running with reduced power assisted steering. Which might explain the slight heaviness last week.

I am no mechanic and having recently spent a considerable sum on a new ABS pump, I'm looking to see if anyone on here can tell me,

1) what could have caused this?
2) how much could a repair may cost?

I do have a decent mechanic locally who I trust with the car, but I am by no means on 'mates rates' so need to determine if its worth spending more money on the car or getting rid of it.

Any help/advice would be very much appreciated!
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Mon 8 Apr 2013 18:47
VW Golf 1.6 FSi (2004) - Reduced power assisted steering (VW Golf) - Peter.N.

Don't know your car but if it has conventional pump driven power steering the belt could be slipping.

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Mon 8 Apr 2013 19:20
VW Golf 1.6 FSi (2004) - Reduced power assisted steering (VW Golf) - elekie&a/c doctor
This car is fitted with electronic steering rack.There is no hydraulic pump or pipes.Get a diagnostic check done,if it identifies a fault in the power rack,then this could be a very expensive fix.hth
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Sat 7 Jun 2014 21:47
VW Golf 1.6 FSi (2004) - Reduced power assisted steering (VW Golf) - vivh

Hi there

I have exactly the same issue with my Golf (135k miles!) and just wondered what happened with yours please?

Was the fault diagnosed and was it repairable/costly?

Thanks

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Mon 9 Jun 2014 08:50
VW Golf 1.6 FSi (2004) - Reduced power assisted steering (VW Golf) - The-Mechanic

vivh,

If your ESP light has come on, you'll need to get it plugged in to confirm the fault first. The common fault is the ABS unit pressure sensor and will involve replacement of the hydraulic part of the ABS pump (the electronic side of the unit is 99 times out of 100 OK).

Once the fault is confirmed and repaired, the ABS, ESP etc needs reprogramming otherwise you can get a problem like the OP had. Depending on the type of systems fitted, you may need to carry out an ESP reset drive : with the car stationary depress the brake pedal very firmly until the ESP light flashes. Drive the car no faster than 15mph for approx 1 minute and turn the steering wheel at least 90 degrees twice (left and right). The light should then turn off and the procedure is complete.

If still no joy, you may need to carry out the same procedure but with the diagnostic equipment connected thus forcing the cars ECU into completing the reset.

Good luck, and post back with an update ?

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