Heavy Steering

[markjp]

My steering has recently become heavy. There is still power assistance but it feels heavier in all driving conditions.

I have checked the tyre pressures and they are fine.

Will have to get it booked in at the dealers, but in the meantime has anyone any ideas what might be wrong?

[chr15]

You haven't just got the sport button on have you?

[RW1]

There can be a voltage drop in the electrics as the electric steering is used or just after cold engine start. The Steering Controller - 16 (J500) can react to this voltage drop with the effect of heavier steering. (BTW, the steering has no hydraulics part to it, purely electrical )

The controller software was revised in Feb'12 to account for this. Alternatively, give the car battery a charge this weekend and see if it temporarily goes away. This wil probably be their first course of action after an inspection.

Besides the heavy steering, there can be Power Steering warning lamp - Red/Amber sometimes on when it happens in the dash instrument panel. And the diagnostics should have some steering related fault codes in the Steering Controller - 16.

C.

[markjp]

There can be a voltage drop in the electrics as the electric steering is used or just after cold engine start. The Steering Controller - 16 (J500) can react to this voltage drop with the effect of heavier steering. (BTW, the steering has no hydraulics part to it, purely electrical )

The controller software was revised in Feb'12 to account for this. Alternatively, give the car battery a charge this weekend and see if it temporarily goes away. This wil probably be their first course of action after an inspection.

Besides the heavy steering, there can be Power Steering warning lamp - Red/Amber sometimes on when it happens in the dash instrument panel. And the diagnostics should have some steering related fault codes in the Steering Controller - 16.

C.

Thanks RW1 very informative as usual

Unfortunately I don't have a battery charger, but the week before last I did 1000 miles to the lake District and back so would have thought the battery got a good charge.

Until your response I was wondering whether there might be a link with another problem I have with the car. "Stiff Gearchange & Heavy Clutch Pedal on 2.0 Tsi"
http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... =2&t=12080" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When I was on the motorway travelling to and from the lakes the clutch was at its heaviest when leaving the motorway and changing gear for the first time after an hour or two's driving.

RW1 if you have any comments on this topic I would appreciate a response as I have had no responses to that topic.

[RW1]

Ah OK, had another thought this morning on the train after posting. It may be that the Steering Controller - 16 has fault code preventing the steering operating with full assistance. So the codes may need clearing.

Whilst the battery is charged, a spike voltage drop due to power demand may have upset it. The motor is protected by an 80amp fuse so activating steering wheel movement is quite an electrical load for a battery.

......................

No one? Cup tea time thought and I'll post later on the other topic.

C.