Steering Column fault - question before approaching dealer

[patomlin76]

Hi

As posted previously regarding flashing yellow steering wheel lights and then the steering lock column fault showing in the MFD with red steering wheel lights, this problem is now getting more frequent.

Although today was without fault, yesterday took 6 attempts at starting as the engine would just die immediately.

I'm having a fault code read at a specialist before going further, I just wanted peace of mind as to whether there is a very specific code that pinpoints the problem?

In a way I have no problem paying the £300 for VW to fix it, but only if it is that which is at fault. I've heard batteries supplying low voltages can cause some erroneous faults, but thinking logically this is a very mechanical fault isn't it? In fact the click-click sound that you usually get sounds very different sometimes (and that is when you know the error will pop up).

Nightmare would be finding a £100 battery at fault rather than a £300 steering column, though I don't believe this to be the case.

Thanks for any reassuring replies!!!

[rapport25]

Morning Pat,

Mine went through a brief spell of this a while ago. I sprayed some lube where the key went. But as I later discovered from other members this would make zero difference. :-)

The only thing I would suggest that I do everytime. Make sure the key is engaged buttons facing down. Push key to first position put seat belt on. Steering light goes out. Push key in again wait till steering light goes out then start the car.

Mine starts everytime.

Hth's Rappy.

[patomlin76]

Cheers for that, I'm reluctant to spend any money until it doesn't start at all - I do have breakdown cover after all...


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[RichardSEL]

Someone with VAG-Com would be able to tell more on an Autoscan
I'm perhaps a bit too far away but there is a list of users willing to assist
here or on the VW Vortex site

It's been useful to me and well worth the investment since 2009 and there's
on-line assist too if you get stuck.

Mine works on an old laptop with only 128Mb RAM and a Crusoe 600MHz processor

[patomlin76]

Getting a scan is not a problem, it's happening next Saturday. I was just asking whether there is a particular code or set of codes which will tell the specialist, yep, that's the steering column, definitely.

For what it's worth, again this morning, no problemo.

However when I come to sell the car next year, I daren't sell privately!