2004 A3 steering rack - different part number?

[PinUp]

Hello.
I own a 2004 Audi A3 3-door, and a while back I got the notorious “red steeringwheel” and the power steering was all gone. The following weeks it came and went but now it is dead all the time.
I got the rack off the car, and plan to swap it for a second hand. And that leads me to my question: The white sticker on mine says “1K1 909 143L”, and next to the small Audi/vw-logo I think it says the same, but “J” on the end. (The sticker got beat up). How important is it that I get one with the exact same number? I found several online, amongst “1K1 909 144L” will that work?
Second question: Does anyone know what usually fails on these? I work at a place that makes electronics, and might be able to fix it, if it’s an electrical error.

Best regards
Sindre

[Alan G H]

Have you actually had a diagnostic done? I would have thought it is more likely to be an electronic problem than the rack itself.

[Crasher]

The rack numbers get VERY confusing, you will have a Gen 1 rack I guess and converting to GEN2 or GEN3 is not simple or cheap. 1K1 909 143L isn't actually a proper part number, it is an internal use number and the centre group starting with 9 indicates an electrical part, the rack number would be 1K2 (for right hand drive, 1K1 LHD), then 423 (steering gear) and 055 (specific variation) with any one of 20 or so single and double letter variations such as B , C, etc. The very latest number is 1K2 423 055 KX for a genuine exchange unit at £1312.75 BUT as I said, this is GEN3 and you will have conversion work to do.

[PinUp]

Called my local Audi dealer, and got some help.
They said i can use any rack from A3 2004-2013.
Bought a used 2010 with super low milage, bolted on and BOOM- up and running.