Yellow Steering Warning Light on Dash with no Symptoms.

[ric4676]

Hi,

My 2004 Audi A3 2.0 TDI (140 BHP) broke down on Monday. I believe the MAF sensor is at fault and I'll be cleaning it when my tamper proof torx bits arrive.

When it broke down the car gave symptoms of a flat battery (sluggish turning over, head lights dim when cranking, starter heard 'clicking'). I managed to get a jump start from the roadside recovery bloke and since then the steering wheel yellow warning light keeps coming on.

The warning light comes on as normal when the ignition is first turned on. It goes out then comes on after a few seconds. The steering feels normal like it is working correctly. I have had heavy steering twice since the jump.

Until I get the MAF sensor cleaned/replaced I'm having to unplug it and the vehicle goes into 'limp home mode'.

My thinking is;

• Limp home mode could be causing the waning light to appear (the light comes on with the suspect MAF sensor plugged in, vehicle not in limp home mode)?
• The battery (the battery has been fine since the jump).

With a little bit of research from the web I've read;

• Excess amperage from cold start ups. 'Flash update' available for the electromechanical steering system. The car has started in much colder conditions than when the fault occured.
• Various sensors on the steering system at fault
• Steering rack at fault.

Any advice or information given is appreciated.

Many thanks

[ric4676]

No fault codes shown when diagnostices plugged in.

[Issac Hunt]

If the light is on there should be a code stored. What equipment are you using? VAGCOM?

[ric4676]

I've used my own code reader and a mates one (Draper expert). Both readers came up with nothing. The Draper expert is one of the top end code readers that reads most modern day cars I think.

[MFGF]

Find a local forum member with VCDS and get them to scan the car for you. Low battery voltage can trigger faults in various modules, and it may simply be a case of clearing these to extinguish your warning light.

Cheers!

MF


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[kite]

My daughters A3 had the steering warning light with the fault code for crankshaft sensor.
The light would re-appear every few weeks after clearing with VCDS.
I ended up paying for her new rack !!!!!

[kite]

I'm in Bracknell if you need a scan....

[ric4676]

Cheers MF.

I noticed yesterday that the clock had reset so the low battery fault is looking suspect. I'm waiting for some tamper proof torx bits to arrive so I can remove the MAF sensor and clean or replace it. When I've sorted this out then I'll hit the steering wheel warning light.

I'm considering disconnecting the battery for 5 minutes (I'll confirm I have the radio code first) to see if this clears the fault.

Cheers Kite, I'll look to see if there's a VAG-COM reader more local, but if not then I might take you up on your offer. How much?

Cheers

[kite]

Cheers MF.

I noticed yesterday that the clock had reset so the low battery fault is looking suspect. I'm waiting for some tamper proof torx bits to arrive so I can remove the MAF sensor and clean or replace it. When I've sorted this out then I'll hit the steering wheel warning light.

I'm considering disconnecting the battery for 5 minutes (I'll confirm I have the radio code first) to see if this clears the fault.

Cheers Kite, I'll look to see if there's a VAG-COM reader more local, but if not then I might take you up on your offer. How much?

Cheers

You might find the tamperproof bits wont fit !!
Just change the whole AMM
A scan would cost you a beer.

[ric4676]

Cheers Kite, I'll let you know.