Hello and Help

[Oldy]

I have just joined today and wanted first to say hello, and secondly to ask for help.

I am a man of advancing years (61 to be exact).  Earlier this year I climbed out of (and sold) my Audi A8 and jumped into what had been my sons black 3 door MK5 GTI (2006).  I had promised myself (as back in the day I drove a Mk1 GTI) that I would get back into  a GTI when I hit 60.  As my son had just bought a BMW this was the opportunity to do just that. Well I am one year late in that promise and regret not doing it earlier. It is a long time since I had so much fun driving.  Heated leather, air conditioning, sat nav, cd changer (yes I like cds!) DSG, the car has all the comfort of my A8 but heaps (heaps) more fun.  It has reignited my love of driving.

That's the good bit.  Now for the bad and the help I need please.  I have noted various posts about problems following a battery change. They have all visited me!  Yesterday morning the battery was flat.  After trickle charge I took it to our local independent garage (which carries out work on all our cars, and in which I have absolute confidence). 

Following replacing the battery the usual warning lights came on (Amber wheel, traction and tyres pressure). Carrying out the recommended action, (turn steering wheel left, then right, then drive straight) didn't put the lights out.  The steering is very heavy and won't "return" unless helped.  I am old enough to remember cars before power steering days, and this is just like that!  Bad in other words. I have driven round for 20 minutes yesterday, and 40 minutes today and no change.  Now all was OK before the battery was changed, but the steering wheel was "off centre" and had been  for a very long time.  The garage suggested my driving "for a bit" to see if it all resets, but if not are suggesting wheel alignment needs to be done, and then it should all reset.

Have any members experienced this issue, and if so, has wheel alignment "done the trick"?

Thanks in advance.

[unzippy]

Wheel alignment as in adjusting toe/camber etc?  Or something else?

[Oldy]

Yes, Adjusting toe & camber.  Taken the car back to the garage this afternoon as, despite driving it again this morning, the lights are still on, and the steering is heavy, so we shall see.  I have my doubts!

[Madone]

The power steering won't be affected by alignment. More than likely a fuse has blown on the electric power steering pump, hence the heavy loaded steering. Best the scan the car with vcds, if lights are on on the dash there are fault codes which will tell you the problem. Alignment is worth doing anyway, but won't be why the steering has suddenly lost power assistance. Scan the car and check fuses as a first pass

[Andy]

the car needs vcd plugging in and do the reset for the steering

[Oldy]

Thanks guys that's helpful. Will speak with the garage this morning.

[lukemk5gti]

the car needs vcd plugging in and do the reset for the steering

+1

Here is a link to the VCDS register for people nearby that might be able to help you!
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,88875.0.html

[RetroRaz]

Hi And welcome.

I like the username :)

[Oldy]

Thanks for the link the the VCDS register.  The car has had wheel alignment which in fact has centered the driving wheel, so that's good.  Still with auto electrician for steering  reset, so fingers crossed.  Thanks too for the welcome.

[Oldy]

This is still not sorted out.  Wow it's frustrating! The garage tell me the auto-electrician cannot reset the steering.  After discussion with VW they have decided that the car now needs two new control units so they can be re-programmed.  If that doesn't work then it will be a new steering rack! I really cannot understand how simply fitting a new battery can cause this issue.

[ROH ECHT]

I would think to check the battery connection is tight...might be a loose connection. May be low on volts...you said its new but what are the non running volts at on the new battery?
Steering wheel is straight now and you did the steps to reset it again following the alignment?
You checked fuse 3 panel C? http://www.autogenius.info/volkswagen-golf-5-fuse-box-diagram/

What were the codes when you did the full auto scan with vcds?

Apparently there is an issue with early MK5's...I found this: Dont get your hopes up, but there was a campaign for the steering rack Campaign 48G7,depending where the vehicle was made either Mosel or Brussels you can find out from the VIN The production plant is indicated by the 11th digit of the chassis number.P is Mosel and B is Brussels On vehicles produced in Brussels the steering rack must be replaced. On vehicles produced in Mosel the production date must be checked in measured block values and compared with dates relating to, if it is necassary to replace the rack I would have the dealership look at your codes and check if there is any help for you.

[Oldy]

Thanks  for this.  I don't know the answers to your initial questions, but those, combined with the information you included,  I will talk through with the garage.  I won't get my hopes up!

[Oldy]

Got the GTI back from the garage today, so I can get on with the fun of driving it again.  Most expensive battery I have ever had!  Had to have  new steering wheel electronic module and  optical sensor fitted.  Even so initially the steering wouldn't assist and initialise because car coding had changed from right to left drive.  Re-coded and fixed so all OK again.  However, I cannot understand how the module and sensor failed simply by  fitting new battery.  Coincidence, or is a new battery likely to overload the module and sensor if they were "on their way out"?

[EdiStage3]

This has happened to me several times, after much frustration & not being able to understand whats going on despite changing parts & out of anger I just drove the car (without power steering at times) and they disappeared, this then happened at a later stage a couple more times after dis-connecting the battery and once again each time disappeared after couple days of driving. You will have to drive at least a couple of days for them to disappear, worked 4 times in total.

[Oldy]

I'm hoping the new module and sensor had done the trick.  I agree its frustrating and annoying to have no steering assist just because of changing a battery! If it happens again I will try your suggestion although i had actually driven the car for several days (and a total of 200 miles) without the assist resetting,  Even plugging in, the steering wouldn't reset until the new module and sensor were installed.