A Cry For Help.....Looks like I Have a Power Steering Failure

[SimonJ]

Hey Cali Clubbers.....please be gentle - this is my first post.

I could really do with some advice.

I have just driven my new Cali from Calais down to the South West of France (to a campsite in St. Palais near Bordeaux), but sadly or somewhat luckily (depending on your perspective) my power steering failed about 300 meters from the site I booked in to. Quite incredible really considering its nearly 500 miles.

My question is, has this happened to you? Do you have any suggestions / advice for the recovery guy due in the morning? The only indicator on the dash is the alternator light, and some reference to the auto-start being faulty.

One great thing is that I've lucked-out with the campsite. Its a Dutch owned place on Cool Camping - http://www.chezgendron.com/gb/ - if you can't offer advice at least you may like to check this out

Simon

 

[Hotel California]

Hi and welcome , i an no specialist but if your alternator fails to work the engine wil not give electricity to all the diffrent things runnning the car....
In time the the whole system will drop down i fear...
You will need to get this fixed....

 

[Skylark2.0]

Just appalling. No way this should be able to happen.
vw should be rolling out a red carpet to fix this.

 

[WelshGas]

Alternator and, I think, Power Steering pump run off the same Auxiliary drive belt.
The Autostart function is probably a consequence related to possible failure of this drive belt. In that case a possible easy fix.
Such belts do fail, due to wear ( unlikely in your case ) and a manufacturing defect.
What vehicle do you have and when you say "New", brand new or new to you?
If new, have you phoned VW Assistance as you have European cover under your warranty?

 

[andyinluton]

As welshGas said sounds like the drive belt has failed, I think it drives the aircon pump as well & should be an easy fix.

If you fill in your vehicle details in your profile we would know what age & type of vehicle & may be able to give more accurate advice.

 

[Vanalli]

My 1 year old Cali has had this happen twice.
Both times it is to do with the belt from the alternator that runs power to the steering amongst other things. Both times fixed under warranty but makes me nervous about reliability.

This will need to be in a garage for a day!

I have a 180 dsg 4 motion.
I have also noticed a scuffing sound after 300 m from driving off cold in the morning (cold as in engine cold not cold weather)

Does anyone know more about this problem?

 

[WelshGas]

Not a common problem, but I would suggest that if it has happened twice it could mean a pulley or tensioner is out of alignment causing excessive wear. What milage was there between changes?

 

[SimonJ]

Thanks so much for all your speedy replies! This really helps.

I also have a 180 DSG, and its a 2015, only 5 months old with 5k on the clock.

The recovery truck is due in 30 mins, (from VW Euro Assist) so I will share your suggestions, and hopefully we get fixed asap - however I'm not holding my breath.

I will also drop a line to my dealer to see if they can help.

I'll post later to let you know how I get on.

The biggest issue I see is that I also need to live in the van for the weekend, and don't fancy being stuck in a garage compound

 

[BerndRos]

When I broke down in Europe and had the same predicament VW put me up in a hotel without me even asking. I was expecting to sleep in the garage compound.

Worth an ask ?

 

[WelshGas]

My EGR VALVE failed at 900miles. Repaired within 36hrs. 1 bottle of very good Champagne + £200 voucher for VW / Brandrup accessories.
Courtesy car, hotel should be automatic. Compensation comes from VW Customer Services. So when you are sorted phone VWCS and insist.
Don't let this spoil your holiday or your enjoyment of the vehicle. These things happen. It's called Murphys Law and will always be with us.
After my upset, two days before Christmas, I have completed 16,000 miles without a missed beat. Enjoy your holiday.

 

[SimonJ]

Thanks all. The problem seems to be that VW don't have the same infrastructure in France as the UK. The dealer in Bordeaux told VW assist that they can't even look at the van until September! To say that got me hot under the collar is something of an under-statement.

Current situation is that they will take the van today, and start the repair on Monday returning it to me on Wednesday. Whilst the guys at VW assist are being great, this kind of delay is hugely frustrating - hopefully a bit of pressure from VW UK will see it repaired by Tuesday - as I need to pick up my family from Barcelona Airport on Wednesday night.

They are picking up a hire car and hotel, but I'd settle for a speedy repair any day!

BTW - just to be clear, I do love the Cali, just a little tarnished on my first major outing. Hopefully it will be plain sailing from here

 

[Vanalli]

Not a common problem, but I would suggest that if it has happened twice it could mean a pulley or tensioner is out of alignment causing excessive wear. What milage was there between changes?

Not sure on the mileage at each breakdown but I have done 20k in 12 months.

 

[WelshGas]

Ok. If it had happened at say 5k and 10k miles then to me that would indicate a pulley or tensioner fault rather than the belt.
Did they just replace the belt the last time?

 

[Vanalli]

Ok. If it had happened at say 5k and 10k miles then to me that would indicate a pulley or tensioner fault rather than the belt.
Did they just replace the belt the last time?

I think it was after 6 months the first time and was put down to a bearing that was seized. The whole mechanism was replaced the first time not sure the second time I would have to check.

Vw van centre want to keep it over night so they can hear the scuffing noise in the morning.

 

[WelshGas]

So first time it wasn't the belt but a bearing causing excessive wear. Interesting. Thank you for the information.

 

[Vanalli]

So first time it wasn't the belt but a bearing causing excessive wear. Interesting. Thank you for the information.

No problem. The engineer said the noise might be due to initial loading with air con being on.

I have made sure the air on is off to start with the last few days and no noise. Air con turned on after a few min and all ok.

 

[storma63]

Our power steering failed, it turned out to be the metal pipe from the pump to the steering rack fractured at a mounting point. Throwing all the steering fluid all over the engine and bulkhead. It was not safe to drive as steering was just too heavy to turn quickly in traffic.

 

[WelshGas]

I haven't turned my Air Con off, ever! Never had any strange noises on start up.

 

[Topman]

Power steering has boke twice on mine in the last 12 months both occasions a fractured hose

£500 VW good gesture gift both times but you have to push them at Customer Service

 

[BeachBoy]

Third time unlucky with my power steering within 22 months. Only £200 VW vouchers on each occasion. At what point can you insist on completely new vehicle?

 

[Vanalli]

Go to VW and get them to check the technical updates from Aug 2015. There is one in September that advises a number of part changes including the tensioner on the belt that is failing and causing the power steering to fail.

This is an issue with 2014 California's.

I was also compensated with the price of an extended warranty in cash.

 

[BeachBoy]

Go to VW and get them to check the technical updates from Aug 2015. There is one in September that advises a number of part changes including the tensioner on the belt that is failing and causing the power steering to fail.

This is an issue with 2014 California's.

I was also compensated with the price of an extended warranty in cash.

Extended warranty? How many more years can it be extended beyond the normal 3 years?

 

[Kevin]

Hi Guys,
I have a 64 plate VW California, bought at around 3,400 miles, had the same issue - failed belt in France and wasted a week of my holiday chasing the van around France trying to get fixed. The van was checked yesterday at 9,500 miles and the same thing happened 100 miles from home today, with the added value of quite a lot of flames.

Has VW admitted to this problem and what should we push for. I too feel nervous about long journeys in a campervan that is designed to travel long journeys!

Your advice would be appreciated

 

[Vanalli]

As per an earlier post of mine, get VW to check their technical updates as there are a number of parts to be changed/checked in particular a tensioner for the belt ( off the alternator).

Since the repairs I have had no problems.
I was frustrated by this as you are and I recommend VW compensate you for the time the vehicle was off the road ( on both occasions ) as well as the fact that the vehicle is dangerous if the power steering fails while driving at speed.

 

[Vanalli]

It would be worth the club posting a notice to recommend all T5 california owners 2014 onwards check that their vehicle has had the necessary changes.