Unresolved - power steering fault audi a3 2003

[Crasher]

I would find a VAG specialist garage who can deal with ZF Lenk systems or at a push, Bosch and get them to fit an exchange GEN3 rack. ZF Gears Great Britain can be an awkward company to get parts from, I often struggle and have to use a customer of ours on the inside to be able to get racks and it is still a struggle of epic proportion. The really daft aspect is that if I was to go outside my office and throw a stone really really hard, I could almost smash the front widow of ZF UK's reception as they are just down the road from me in Nottingham. Remember that the rack has to be set up on a suitable diagnostics computer once it has been installed and unless this is done correctly the rack will work very oddly giving a weird feel or non power assistance at all and leaving the steering light on. Sometimes I have had long battles with the set up procedure to the extent that I now use the VAG diagnostic system VAS PC as VCDS can often have problems setting these racks up.

[Simba2004]

Thanks for the info mate!

This is the third edit of this post....

Can you tell me what rack codes would be compatible with my car (1K2423055JX) if they were the same generation? I found the webpage with the info yesterday but cannot find it today to print it out…

I got my hands on a few racks but no one can tell me which gen they are and I am not sure if I need the wiring loom then – which seems to be impossible to get in Ireland, by the way.

Any advice?

[Crasher]

GEN 1, 2 and 3 are all compatible with each other as long as the wiring matches. You can get a conversion harness for an early car to accept a late rack but not the other way around so you can carry out the correct repair which is to replace GEN 1 and 2 with GEN 3. What used to differentiate one rack from another was its gearing and valving, now that is all dealt with by the computer which is on the rack itself, PQ34 was the first VAG platform to feature modern EPAS, Electronic Power Assisted Steering. I have a self study document issued by VW for internal use that I could email and this explains how the VAG dual pinion EPAS works.

[Simba2004]

Hi Crasher, you've helped me before, counting on you again! Have a 2010 1.6TDI A3 now and guess what... The rack seems to be on the way out. Do you have a quick link to check which racks will fit mine or do I just quote the VIN number to a breakers yard?

I had a yellow, sort of flashing, power steering light go on, took it to the mechanic today and they're at it for the last 4 hours. Apparently there was a fault code (I will ask for a print-out) so they went to do some stuff with it and now the fault is either with the rack or the steering sensor. Regretting leaving the car in now as she was fine since that one time of intermittent amber pop-up.

Any advice anyway?

[Crasher]

PM me the reg number, your new car has an electric rack and it is all in one. It will be a third generation version and you can't go backwards.