Help with VW steering problem with usual vague detail

[carlx]

Hey guys,

Had a bit of a scare while driving today.

Car is a Golf Tdi 2.0 (2012 plate)

I was driving up a road, then i think i could hear a rattle/clatter, nothing crazy but noticeable. I had my music on loud so i could feel it more than hear it if you know what i mean.

Came to a roundabout and my steering was locked straight!!!!! Luckily nobody was there and i wasnt going fast or anything i managed to go round the small roundabout and as quick as it locked, it went back to normal again.

Through this whole ordeal, i didnt stop the car, just rolled a bit while trying to work out what happened. Thinking back, i don't think the wheel locked at all, i think the power steering was totally disabled and felt locked, only way to explain how i got round the roundabout.

Guys, any advice or ideas on this!

Thanks

[annodomini2]

EPS system reset, check for fault codes.

[carlx]

Do you mean ESP?

Thank you for the lead, i bought a OBD reader for 30 quid and got no errors..... Then just realised that it reads engine only so that is going back for a refund tomorrow.

I called a VW specialist this AM and he said it may be something to do with 'Scanning' i think he said. I dont know really but its very disheartening, when im driving im thinking is the assisted steering going to go on that corner!! So i kind of brace myself to go fill strength to turn the wheel.

[annodomini2]

carlx said:

Do you mean ESP?

Thank you for the lead, i bought a OBD reader for 30 quid and got no errors..... Then just realised that it reads engine only so that is going back for a refund tomorrow.

I called a VW specialist this AM and he said it may be something to do with 'Scanning' i think he said. I dont know really but its very disheartening, when im driving im thinking is the assisted steering going to go on that corner!! So i kind of brace myself to go fill strength to turn the wheel.

Electric Power Steering

OBD will only give you engine codes, maybe transmission.

Get either the dealer to do it or someone with VCDS.

Your car is CAN based, so the free version will not work.

[carlx]

Thank you for that

I have bought another reader, more expensive and should do EVERYTHING, ill try it out and if it doesnt work, ill return it. But it should. Ill update once i find out.

Thanks

[carlx]

annodomini2 said:

Electric Power Steering

OBD will only give you engine codes, maybe transmission.

Get either the dealer to do it or someone with VCDS.

Your car is CAN based, so the free version will not work.

New scanner has arrived, ill do a full check later on, as it takes time. So far i do know that i have

00290 Passive/Sporadic
Left rear ABS wheel speed sensor
G46 Mechanical Malfunction


I also have 00287 for the Right side

[bearman68]

Have exactly the same issue on a golf I'm currently working on - same fault codes, and same symptoms.

My conclusion (not yet proven) if the magnetic pick up in the wheel has been damaged (can see erratic speed data coming through live data), and since the steering angle sensor uses speeds from all 4 wheels to understand where it is, it does nothing without full information.

[cuprabob]

It the strut top bearing seized quickly followed by the associated spring breaking. Often the spring breaks at the pigtail. Although you would get a metallic sound while turning from lock to lock as the spring winds / unwinds.

Normally if there is a glitch with the electric power steering you would get the red or yellow steering warning light coming on.