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Author Topic: Steering wheel light lit up yellow whilst driving  (Read 10266 times)

Offline GTIEagles

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Steering wheel light lit up yellow whilst driving
« on: October 26, 2015, 07:37:36 pm »
Fix one problem and something else seems to come up, my patience is beginning to wear thin with this car...

I was driving back from work today and I noticed the steering wheel light had lit up yellow. When I got home I switched the car off and on again, still the same I then left it a bit longer and tried again and the light went out, took it for a quick drive and it remained unlit.

I then hooked up VCDS and this is the fault:

1 Fault Found:
00573 - Steering Torque Sensor (G269)
            008 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent

I then followed the procedure to test the torque sensor and the values changed as expected which according to VCDS means 'If the Torque Values do change, it's most likely an intermittent Fault in the Wiring/Connectors.'

I took it out for another drive earlier and it's fine so far.

Is this likely to be the steering rack on its way out or a weird electrical glitch?

There are no nasty noises from the steering or suspension.

Any suggestions?

Offline pudding

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Re: Steering wheel light lit up yellow whilst driving
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2015, 10:27:40 am »
If the torque sensor is part of the rack (and I suspect it is) then yep, it's looking likely the rack is potentially on it's way out.


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Offline GTIEagles

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Re: Steering wheel light lit up yellow whilst driving
« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2015, 02:06:11 pm »
I suspected that, however driven it round today and nothing so far. Plus point there is a company on eBay that sells reconditioned racks for £350 which is slightly cheaper than the £1200+ VW quote for a new one!

Offline pudding

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Re: Steering wheel light lit up yellow whilst driving
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2015, 03:59:01 pm »
£1200 is bonkers!  Then again, every major part seems to be a grand on German cars doesn't it!  I hope the £350 option doesn't prove to be a false economy!  Keep us posted.

If the torque sensor is some kind of carbon track affair (like a throttle pot), it might have a couple of dead spots on it, hence the intermittent nature of the issue.


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Offline dale.edwards

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Re: Steering wheel light lit up yellow whilst driving
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2015, 05:39:18 pm »
When i used to work for British Gas I had a caddy van, this used to show the yellow steering wheel light from time to time. All we did was turn the wheel full lock one way then full lock the other and it would go back out. Something to do with the sensor not knowing what position the wheel was in and this procedure would recalibrate it somehow. I wouldn't be worried unless it throws it up and does not disappear so easily to be honest...

Offline doylebros

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Re: Steering wheel light lit up yellow whilst driving
« Reply #5 on: October 27, 2015, 05:52:44 pm »
If the steering is not heavy and the fault is clearing automatically I wouldn't rule this area out

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oPPK3ylztcs
« Last Edit: October 27, 2015, 06:02:55 pm by doylebros »

Offline GTIEagles

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Re: Steering wheel light lit up yellow whilst driving
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2015, 08:18:28 am »
£1200 is bonkers!  Then again, every major part seems to be a grand on German cars doesn't it!  I hope the £350 option doesn't prove to be a false economy!  Keep us posted.

If the torque sensor is some kind of carbon track affair (like a throttle pot), it might have a couple of dead spots on it, hence the intermittent nature of the issue.

I know, I nearly hit the floor when I found out! It's got a lifetime warrantee so even if it does go wrong, you'll get another  :smiley: http://www.bba-reman.com/uk/index.aspx

Offline GTIEagles

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Re: Steering wheel light lit up yellow whilst driving
« Reply #7 on: October 28, 2015, 08:25:23 am »
When i used to work for British Gas I had a caddy van, this used to show the yellow steering wheel light from time to time. All we did was turn the wheel full lock one way then full lock the other and it would go back out. Something to do with the sensor not knowing what position the wheel was in and this procedure would recalibrate it somehow. I wouldn't be worried unless it throws it up and does not disappear so easily to be honest...

That's interesting, that's going to be my approach on it too. So far since Monday it's been behaving itself...

Offline GTIEagles

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Re: Steering wheel light lit up yellow whilst driving
« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2015, 08:29:19 am »
If the steering is not heavy and the fault is clearing automatically I wouldn't rule this area out

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oPPK3ylztcs

Isn't that more related to a fault with the steering angle sensor?

Offline pudding

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Re: Steering wheel light lit up yellow whilst driving
« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2015, 09:44:43 am »
£1200 is bonkers!  Then again, every major part seems to be a grand on German cars doesn't it!  I hope the £350 option doesn't prove to be a false economy!  Keep us posted.

If the torque sensor is some kind of carbon track affair (like a throttle pot), it might have a couple of dead spots on it, hence the intermittent nature of the issue.

I know, I nearly hit the floor when I found out! It's got a lifetime warrantee so even if it does go wrong, you'll get another  :smiley: http://www.bba-reman.com/uk/index.aspx

Ah yeah, they're good!  Used to do a good job of MFA repairs on MK2 GTI dashes back in the day.  They were also on Wheeler Dealers when they needed the Corrado VR6's ABS pump reconditioning.  Seem like a proper outfit  :happy2:


2007 ED30 | 2009 TDI 140 | 2016 BMW 330D

Offline GTIEagles

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Re: Steering wheel light lit up yellow whilst driving
« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2015, 10:21:26 am »
£1200 is bonkers!  Then again, every major part seems to be a grand on German cars doesn't it!  I hope the £350 option doesn't prove to be a false economy!  Keep us posted.

If the torque sensor is some kind of carbon track affair (like a throttle pot), it might have a couple of dead spots on it, hence the intermittent nature of the issue.

I know, I nearly hit the floor when I found out! It's got a lifetime warrantee so even if it does go wrong, you'll get another  :smiley: http://www.bba-reman.com/uk/index.aspx

Ah yeah, they're good!  Used to do a good job of MFA repairs on MK2 GTI dashes back in the day.  They were also on Wheeler Dealers when they needed the Corrado VR6's ABS pump reconditioning.  Seem like a proper outfit  :happy2:

That's good to know  :happy2:

I didn't know there was a Corrado on Wheeler Dealers? I use to have a Storm a few years ago back when I was an absolute Corrado fanatic!

Offline pudding

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Re: Steering wheel light lit up yellow whilst driving
« Reply #11 on: October 28, 2015, 12:21:51 pm »
Yeah it's on YouTube!  Yeah I had a Corrado for 9 years, we may have even crossed paths on the Corrado forum at some point!


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Offline GTIEagles

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Re: Steering wheel light lit up yellow whilst driving
« Reply #12 on: October 28, 2015, 01:36:38 pm »
We probably have! My username was Cnut, it use to be the same here until I got told to change it due to offending members  :signLOL:

Offline pudding

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Re: Steering wheel light lit up yellow whilst driving
« Reply #13 on: October 28, 2015, 03:30:52 pm »
Yeah I remember your username  :grin:  I was one of the mods, well, still am. Currently under the username of Kevin Bacon lol!  I had the Ice Grey VR6 Turbo  :smiley:   God I miss the grunt of that thing!  My ED30 doesn't even come close, despite being mapped!


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Offline GTIEagles

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Re: Steering wheel light lit up yellow whilst driving
« Reply #14 on: October 28, 2015, 04:10:29 pm »
Was your original username Kevhaywire by any chance? I'm pretty sure I remember reading the ridiculously long thread about your car and completely being in owe of how much time and effort you put into it! I can't believe you got rid of it, how much power was she running in the end? I'm guessing well over 300 if your mapped ED30 doesn't come close?!