Rough Idle and Power assist steering issues.

[Squeezy]

I've had my 2006 Polo GTi since new and it's been good up until 6 months ago when it was running roughly in the morning sometimes. Had the Diagnostics done and $600+ later the Camshaft Position sensor was replaced ( June 2012 ).

Moving forward 6 months and now 2 more faults started occurring in Dec 2012, but becoming more frequent.

1) The car sometimes runs really roughly when first started in the morning ( probably does this one morning a week ). Splutters and struggles to stay running for the first 10-15 secs then appears to run OK

2) Every now and then ( about once a week ) for the last 3 weeks the Power assist on the steering Faults and the Steering becomes REALLY heavy and the warning light with the "steering wheel" comes on. I find somewhere to pull over. Turn off the ignition and restart the car and all is good. It has never faulted later in the day, just in the morning and the last few times has been within about 500 metres of leaving home.

I had another diagnostic done and these were the faults that were reported

Engine
17936 - Camshaft Timing Adj Bank 1 - Open Circuit - Intermittent
16795 - Secondary Air Injection system - Incorrect flow detected

Auto HVAC
01596 Motor for outside/Recirc air flap ( V154 ) - Open or short to plus

Steering assist
01288 Terminal 30:steering assist - Signal too high - Intermittant

************************************************** ***

My Primary concern is the Power assisted steering as I live in a Windy road area and thankfully it hasnt faulted whilst on the windy sections.

Now Ive been told the Camshaft position sensor that was replaced 6 months ago is not directly related to the new fault but I'm not convinced.

Would appreciate any Suggestions/advice from anyone that has had similar faults. I've been told my the mechanics that they will need the car for a day ( or more ) to even determine what the issue is and the cost of doing that let alone the repair itself has me concerned.

I've just saved up enough in the family budget to get some new tyres for the car ( original Tyres and 50k almost on the clock ), but now it looks like I'll need to use the money to get these other repairs done first.

It's becoming a very expensive car to maintain. Cars from 25 years ago were so much simpler

[Dukzzz]

Dont quote me on these but:

1) Secondary Air injection pump thing , running on cold start, many threads about this, quick search will show u many results =), happens to me too, i just let it warm up, until the sai deactivates.
2) If its like any other 1.8T in the audi family, its common for a power steering pressure switch ontop of where the high pressure line bolts to the power steer pump lets go.

[h100vw]

google your fault codes. If you need an SAI pump, I have one that was working when it came off. You can have it for the cost of the postage.

Gavin

[Jmac]

This has been exhausted over and over sorry and as Dukezzz says use the search , many discussions and fixes. Google if you may but there is many "experts" there so approach with caution, all that siad there is still real posts there too wont deny that but many incorrect, the joy of the net cant be helped.,but that said here is my slant anyway if the sai pump is gone the root cause will more than likely be the kombi valve connected to it AND the sai pump. There is no switch on a power steering pump like the other 1.8T family, totally different, not belt driven but elec/hydraulic. Feeling the cam adjuster fault may have been left from the repair perhaps, i suggest save that one and clear it, is the cam chain area noisy cold, seen a couple BJX ( which is your engine code) have cam adjusters go south and it is unfortunately a dear repair, so thats why clear it and see if it comes back. The Sai code will more than likely be linked to the pump being out or very much on its way, caused buy water from exhaust. I would also suggest save the power steering code and clear it too, not common but seen power steer units fail but not so common. Terminal 30 is your main battery input. Have you had any battery or charging issues?. It may have been flagged during a Spike, which maybe something or nothing. The AC code mate is the recirc motor, it can get sticky and reistance in it can flag that code, if thats still working clear it for now
Id take Gav up on hos offer of that pump mate, itll go in a flash , but i would also invest in a kombi and gasket, there may be some guys on here who have a good kombi as some have just removed it to shave the engine bay
Good luck
Jmac

[h100vw]

You can have the kombi valve too.

Gavin

[Squeezy]

Thanks all. PM on the way Gavin.

[Squeezy]

THave you had any battery or charging issues?.

Not that I'm aware of. I replaced the battery about 9 months ago when I was originally having the starting issues. The RAA had tested it and said it was below CCA tolerance.

Today It started roughly then just stopped. On the second attempt it kept running but I noticed a fairly audible high pitched Whine coming from the front of the engine bay. Would this be the sound from a dying Secondary Air Pump ?

[h100vw]

Not that I'm aware of. I replaced the battery about 9 months ago when I was originally having the starting issues. The RAA had tested it and said it was below CCA tolerance.

Today It started roughly then just stopped. On the second attempt it kept running but I noticed a fairly audible high pitched Whine coming from the front of the engine bay. Would this be the sound from a dying Secondary Air Pump ?

They sound horrible on the way out. Sorry not packed the bits up. I will do it this afternoon and post by tomorrow at the latest.

Gavin

[Redliner]

I noticed a fairly audible high pitched Whine coming from the front of the engine bay.

Have you checked the slack in the belts. Loose belts can whine, and not charge alternators.

[Jmac]

Yeah mate bearing in the pump mate, swap it out along with the Kombi valve and itll be a good un.
Cheers
Jmac