battery flat so i jumped the car red power steering light on wont come off

[j1981]

hi all,

my car battery was flat i could not push the car out of garden because of the electic handbrake so i got a battery out of another car and jump started it. it started up i noticed a red steering light on the dash i took it around the block for a while it did not go out no power steering either very very heavey steering. when i turn it on it makes 3 loud noises and light stays on. no fuses are blow none that i can find i checked the 3 fuse boxes. its a 05 vw passat b6. it was working fine until battery went flat battery has been going flat every 3 weeks or so any advice be great.

[billythetidd]

Sounds like the jump start has set off a few faults. Best get a VAG and reset the error codes.

[martin1810]

Disconnect battery and refit terminals carefully without spark. Drive it. Light should clear. It sometimes needs alittle drive to settle down.

[j1981]

already tried dis and reconnect battery and took it for a drive no joy. put the computer on it today and erased the fault light goes out still no power steering still and light comes back on again when you restart car its looking like a steering box / rack is that expensive.?

[bundao]

battery has been going flat every 3 weeks or so any advice be great.

Have you upgraded your stereo? Can cause battery drain on the older b6's.

[j1981]

no standard radio still in it. i think it needs a new battery too

[DSG4ME]

I'm guessing you didn't jump it to an earth point, and just plugged the leads direct + to + - to - ?


If you did it that way you've probably given the ecu a heart attack, the proper way on any modern car is to put one negative end on the chassis or engine block, not the battery terminal.

Anyway, get the battery leads off overnight, simply taking them off for 10 minutes doesn't work, you need all reside electric out of the system for the ecu to reset, might help to push the ign key in a couple of times or opp the window buttons once the battery is off, when you reconnect start it and stop it, my Skoda doesn't clear a fault until the ecu has made it's mind up there isn't one, and this can take a few turns of the key to achieve, and give the battery a full charge overnight as well, VAG recommend a new one every 4 years, this could be the problem btw, if the Passat has electric steering, and there isn't enough juice in the battery it could be whats chucking the light on.

Anyway, fingers crossed you haven't blown an expensive component.

[gamichea]

.........and give the battery a full charge overnight as well, VAG recommend a new one every 4 years........

Blimey! Never replaced a VAG battery except once early on under warranty 1995/6. Otherwise the originals have still been in the cars when we traded them on. The oldest was nine years+ in SWMBO's A3 which went to the auction last year and made book :approve: .

[richiemac]

I can vagcom it for you if you want and see whats happened. I'm in drogheda if you can get to me ? Richie.

[j1981]

my friend already put his vagcom on it. thanks anyway and it shows up steering rack. he is going to try up date the car today before replacing the rack? i did just put the jumps on the terminals i read some where that if the battery has not enough volts to operate the electro steering it shuts it off to allow you use things that dont need large amount of volts?

[martin1810]

It has electromechanical steering assistance. This does not like low voltages. I would try a new battery. Some systems insist on "seeing" 12.5v before they are happy. That's why VW recommend that some tests are carried out with a battery charger connected.

[j1981]

my mate said he is going to a charger on it tonight and the computer and see what happens before changing the rack

[j1981]

problem solved guys the electrical system got updated. as my car is 05 vw passat b6 it was programed to switch off electro power steering when battery goes flat. now it should be ok if it happens again. thanks for ur help guys..:beerchug:

[2005PassatB6]

Hi! I know this is an old post but can anyone tell me how to to program my vehicles electrical system same way as j1981 did? I have 2005 Passat B6 (2.0 FSI) and the same problem - battery went flat and I jump started my car. Car started. After a jump start there were 3 beeps from the instrument cluster and red steering light came on and I had no power steering, still dont :( Deleting the fault codes didn't change anything. After few seconds red light came right back on. Can this be done with vag-com or does it need factory equipment? If its vag-com then where is this module located (number and name) and what exactly do I have to change there. At the moment vag-com says that the steering box is defective. It would be nice to disable the "switch-off-electro-power-steering-when-battery-goes-flat" option if its either possible.

[doiso1975]

[QUOTE][/QUcan you tell me the detail how do you do to solved your problem , i get same problem like you after i change new battery , thank you very much

[RichardSEL]

Your steering light on dash should go out after you've driven a little way. Wheel in streight ahead position, one turn to left then one turn to right, then centre wheel should do it.
I don't know of a way to disable steering assist within VCDS
To charge battery disconnect both terminals so there's no link from it to car. Then charge to battery terminals.

I had my OEM battery (Moll) working from new (it's an '06 2L tFSI) to February this year. It would still turn over the engine and start alright but after a couple of days without use from a long drive start to lose it's terminal volts leading to occasional errors like yours. Got a Bosch S5008 to replace from: Cheap Branded Car Batteries, Motorcycle Batteries - FREE UK Delivery | Car Batteries Online (http://www.carbatteriesonline.co.uk)
Sutton Auto Factors £72.50 inc VAT and delivery to your door

If the above doesn't work then post your Autoscan here so those in the know will be able to help more?

[doiso1975]

hi richardsel, yes i did it, drived car to fuel gas and come back , not thing help , i get problem like 2005passatb6 get , need to reset or re progam ecu but i dont know how and what kind tool need to buy to do the job ? i hope j1981 or 2005passatb6 had solve the problem and post detail how to do it , i have 2010 vw cc and out off warranty ( over miles : 50.000 miles ) so i can not turn in for dealer to replace a power steering system for 1,800.00 $ i know the car runs and driver good before i change a new battery oem , please help me out , thank you very much ,

[RichardSEL]

If you don't have VCDS, then can only suggest you disconnect battery both terminals. Then connect the leads together so to zero any outstanding voltage. Then connect battery again, and start engine. Try again my post in message #16.

If that doesn't work to switch off the red steering warning on dash, do this (from VCDS help site fault 02546)


Make sure the Ignition is ON and the Engine is Running.
Center Steering Wheel (±10°) and hold it centered for about 5 Seconds.
Turn Steering Wheel completely to the Left and hold there for about 2 Seconds.
Turn Steering Wheel completely to the Right and hold there for about 2 Seconds.
Center Steering Wheel (±10°).
Switch Engine and Ignition OFF. Wait one minute
Switch Ignition ON.
Wait about 5 Seconds.
Steering Assist Warning Lamp should turn OFF (If it doesn't, perform a short Test Drive).


If that doesn't work then post your VCDS Autoscan so that others with knowledge can see what modules you have and their settings. Many USA forums ( e.g. PassatWorld and VWVortex) have lists of VCDS owners that are willing to help out locally.
See their lists for one near you?

Hope that helps...

[doiso1975]

problem solved guys the electrical system got updated. as my car is 05 vw passat b6 it was programed to switch off electro power steering when battery goes flat. now it should be ok if it happens again. thanks for ur help guys..:beerchug:

hello , j1981 , can you post a detail how you solve your problem on your car , i get a problem on my car 2010 vw cc same at your , thank you very much , doiso1975

[doiso1975]

hi richard , thank for your help , i was visit my daughter in south california , to scare to drive back so left it there , i live in north cali , 400 miles a part , next week I WILL to go there to try it again hope it work , i know the car runs and drive fine before i change a battery so i no reason to let dealer charge me 1,800 to change power steering rack ( i take a car to dealer for diagnosis cost me 250 for ) will see what happen ? i let you kow , thank you very much richard , doiso1975