Hi,


I need some help with diagnose problem with power steering in Passat B6 2009 CR 104kW


Issue:


After long drive (more than 1.5-2h), turning off engine and turning on again causes:


- red steering wheel warning icon
- 3 sound beeps
- power steering not working


I can drive but without power steering.

Power steering issue disappears itself after certain of time car idle with engine off.
This time is roughly proportional to driving duration:
2-3h of driving - 5..15min idle is needed.
15h of driving - 1.5-2h idle is needed.


When issue appears, I have following symptoms:


-key inserted in „half”:
1. yellow steering wheel warning icon.
2. noticeable constant „trrrr” sound from steering column area.
3. Clearly noticeable vibration on steering wheel.
4. Trying to slightly turn steering wheel increases loudness of „trrr” sound.

-key inserted „full” starts engine and:

1. yellow steering wheel warning icon becomes red.
2. I’m getting 3 sound signals.
3. I can drive but without power steering.


Unfortunately I don’t have VAG to read logs/errors so can’t be more detailed here)

I’m asking as I want to avoid situations where e.g. authorized VW service i.e. will lenghtly hunting for root cause by part-by-part replacing parts of my car to finally discover where issue is…


BTW: Personally I suspect issue is like electronic component (like electrolytic cap) reversibly loosing capacity under long period of operating with voltage.
Loss of capacity seems to be proportional to duration under voltage (as duration of idle time needed to issue disappear is proportional to driving time) and effect is reversible (as issue disappears after about of time). Look like production defect with poor quality components….


Another hypothesis is overheating - but for me it is less possible as for 1..2h of driving - just few minutes of idle is enough to issue disappears.




Is this known issue in passat B6?
If Yes - what should be fixed/replaced?