Power steering woe

[Criminallyvulgar]

Have a 2015 California SE and the power steering went today. Battery light came on as well.
I’ve seen a few threads about this and apparently it’s a common fault on those machines.
Any updates as to whether VW pick this up as a mea culpa?

would you always go to a VW garage for a fix or just use a local garage?

 

[B J G]

Fan/alternator belt?

 

[Criminallyvulgar]

Would that cause the steering to go?!

oh man.

 

[Criminallyvulgar]

Seems there was a VW recall some time ago. How do you check if your van had the recall work done? Would VW still honour the recall?

sorry for so many questions. We’ve only just bought the flipping thing!

 

[flying banana]

Some engines have a belt that drives both the alternator AND the power steering pump. Check that. You may spot the shredded belt. Also try turning the pump and alternator drive pulleys by hand before putting a new belt on. Assuming its that it is an easy fix at any garage

 

[B J G]

Would that cause the steering to go?!

oh man.

Assuming that the Power steering pump is driven by the same belt as the Alternator---yes.

 

[Criminallyvulgar]

Thanks all.

If it is the subject of a recall from 2017 would VW still honour that?

 

[bob_summers]

Thanks all.

If it is the subject of a recall from 2017 would VW still honour that?

Yep they have to, providing parts are still produced. (As I understand from a motorcycle recall). Check VOSA recall site to see what's due.

Edit, think it's this site, same for mOT expiry https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks all.

If it is the subject of a recall from 2017 would VW still honour that?

It’s a Workshop Campaign, not a Recall. So should have been done during a routine service, if your vehicle is affected.
I had it done on my 2014 180 biturbo.

Power steering failure - cost of repair

The auxiliary and alternator belt failed on our maiden trip in our 2014 California Beach down to Cornwall over the Easter weekend. I have seen other threads which suggest it is a known issue. It could have been worse, our California became a static caravan for the bank holiday and then got...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Criminallyvulgar]

Thanks Welshgas. So hopefully this is something that VW will still honour.

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks Welshgas. So hopefully this is something that VW will still honour.

IF your vehicle hasn’t already had it done, or it was changed at build time.

 

[Klakski]

On our maiden trip to France it happened to after fueling up in Luxemburg. Had to replace the belt there and then. When back my local garage told me it was a familiar thing to happen and after calling VW it was one of the 2 ‘recalls’ that was still open on our bus.
The other one was the roof recall. Both actions were fixed under warrenty even though I bought my van 2nd hand private in Germany Last year. Ours is a 2015 one.
By the way, to my surprise VW replaced the roof canvas as part of the roof job. Didn’t know and only found out later when I put the roof up. So thanks VW