Electrical Issues?

[Aether]

Friend of mine has asked me to look into this, as they are having identical issues with their polo. The dealer has tried replacing battery, alternator etc. And their warranty has just expired, and the problem has come back again.

Anyone had this fixed? got any tips on what might be causing it?

[Ben_GTI]

Not that it will make you feel any better.... but if it is electrical it is a long hard road. I know with Mk3's if they start cutting out it is the coil or the relay. Given the steering light comes on, I'd be checking relays.

Just work back from the steering.

1. Steering motor is okay?
2. Alternator to power the motor okay?
3. Battery alright?
4. Relays swapped out
5. ECU

But it sounds like a regulator on the alternator, maybe it chucks on full load, hence revs drop and then spits the dummy and instantly no power for the steering rack? Just a theory...

[Jmac]

Guys this one was resolved, batch of bad fuel did the trick!!!!
Cheers
Jmac

[Bubu]

Guys this one was resolved, batch of bad fuel did the trick!!!!
Cheers
Jmac

Very interesting. Any idea how the fuel would impact on the power steering? Did the bad fuel send it into limp mode?

[Jmac]

Vehicle cut out mate, this caused power steer loss. Bad batch of fuel , vehicle would intermittantly cut out, filled with fresh gear and fixed. Suprised me too. No credit being taken here VWGTI found out for himself after filling with fresh juice.
Jmac

[VW GTI]

No credit being taken here VWGTI found out for himself after filling with fresh juice.
Jmac

Yeah, I'm opening my new VW service garage soon.

Service costs you $150 and you get ya car back with a full tank

[NickZ]

What petrol did you use?

[VW GTI]

What petrol did you use?

It was BP Ultimate (every tank I use is).

It was from a small BP in Brisbane - I've filled up there about 5 times and had this issue more often than not because of the fuel I think.

I now avoid that station just as much as Caltex and everything is fine