2011 Volkswagen Other Sticky Power Steerig

Tiny
VENTOOWNER
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 VOLKSWAGEN
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
The power steering has been checked and the service station says that it is working well and no warning lights are seen to indicate that there is a problem with the system. The steering of the car is normal but it feels sticky. There is a bit of extra effort required to move the steering from the neutral position while driving but after that the steering is positive. The feeling that one gets is as if there is some problem with the lubrication of the steering rod in a bearing and once the steering wheel moves the restriction seems to go away. The service staff have not been able to figure it out.
Saturday, September 12th, 2015 AT 3:57 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
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The system is either electric & hydraulic or full electric. A fault code should be stored if there is a fault. At minimum the system will need to have "basic settings set", can't guess further without fault codes / vehicle in hand.
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Saturday, September 12th, 2015 AT 10:13 PM
Tiny
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Thanks for the response. The car is a VW Vento made in India. The software was updated at the last servicing and I was present when the diagnostics was run. No fault showed up in the system but the feeling of stickiness in the steering remained. Since no warning light is seen the software does not see any problem.

The sticking sensation comes when moving on the road and only when the steering is in the central position and if it is moved from there. Once the steering action has started then there is no sticky sensation. However, when the car is static there is no sticky central position and the steering moves smoothly with the slightest force of a single finger.

As a driver who has driven the same car for many years, you know how it feels when it is driven and I know that the steering sensation has changed even though no fault has been diagnosed by the computer.

Is there any special computer read out that I can ask the VW garage to run to check the power steering in detail.

Thanks once again
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Saturday, September 12th, 2015 AT 11:52 PM
Tiny
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Whoever is doing the scanning probably isn't telling the whole truth. They're probably seeing no Check Engine Light and assuming no codes. Only hard codes will set the CEL;soft codes won't.
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Sunday, September 13th, 2015 AT 9:04 AM
Tiny
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Sorry for the late reply. I do not get notifications when someone replies to me.

I believe (but am not 100% sure) that steering wheel "feel" can be adjusted by way of software adaptation. Just like brake pedal feel. A softer pedal or a stiffer pedal can be attained by software changes.

Some reading material about the electronic power steering (if that is what you have):
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Saturday, September 19th, 2015 AT 3:36 PM
Tiny
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Sorry... will try the link again:

http://tos.pp.fi/koukku/892403.pdf
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Saturday, September 19th, 2015 AT 3:37 PM
Tiny
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Exovcds, you're not getting updates because the question isn't yours and you aren't listed as an Expert with the site.
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Saturday, September 19th, 2015 AT 5:32 PM

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