Hiya,

My wife's panda has decided to be troublesome. When sat stationary with the engine running it will turn the steering left till it hits full lock. When turning it to the right it's heavy/resistance. If you turn to the left it's incredibly easy (a lot easier than city mode). There are no warning lights on the dash either. Anyone have any ideas what could be causing this?

Hi.

Torque sensor.

If you use kit do diagnose the pas system. It should highlight the problem


I believe the parts are bolt.on

But have never needed to attempt repairs to any of mine
( charging issues are the most common....)

Charlie

happycallis said:

Hiya,

My wife's panda has decided to be troublesome. When sat stationary with the engine running .There are no warning lights on the dash either. Anyone have any ideas what could be causing this?

Click to expand...

Where is the car based?

Plugging in MultiECUScan should help...


I belive there is an element of 'trimming'
Possible.

But your issue sounds like something isnt working

The car is based in Berkshire. I have a feeling it's the torque sensor that's decided to give up the ghost.

Im in Didcot in the week. As is my diagnostic kit.

Let me know if you wish to try and plug in my laptop.
Charlie

Yes, this has all the classic symptoms of torque sensor failure.

Having the steering column remanufactured is probably the best solution for most folks.

More information (and a practical, affordable solution) here.

Franchsed dealers generally want to replace the column with new, at a four figure cost.

jrkitching said:

Yes, this has all the classic symptoms of torque sensor failure.

Having the steering column remanufactured is probably the best solution for most folks.

More information (and a practical, affordable solution) here.

Franchsed dealers generally want to replace the column with new, at a four figure cost.

Click to expand...

How easy are they to replace. I have a reasonable amount of mechanical knowledge

I've done it on my 100HP last year and found it pretty straighforward.
Look in my posts and you"ll find a small written how-to.
Having MES and the green adapter helps.

gr J

I replaced mine just over 3 years ago when i got the car at 91,000 miles.
Think i paid about £270 for the whole column.
Took mine off and they give you reconditioned one when you hand them the old one.
Only thing they asked was to make sure the wheels were pointing straight when you take of the old one.
Came with lifetime guarantee for the time i own the car.
Still own the car 35,000 miles later and still working perfect and i drive all the time on city steering.
Cant remember name of place where i got it but was in Tamworth and i found them on ebay.
I took my old one to them and collected the new one to save time but they did do a postal service.

Is very simple to change and a haynes manual will tell you how.
Only thing i had a little trouble with was getting the airbag off.
Need a torch to see how they unclip.

Just found the receipt.

Place i got mine ACS power steering. Address,

ACS Midlands Ltd,
Unit 4A Viking Park,
Tame Valley Ind Est,
Staffordshire,
B77 5DQ,
Tel 01827 259699.

Price was £218.99 inc VAT.

Sounds like torque sensor, I've replaced these on both my pandas.. they're dead easy to do. There's a guy on ebay that sells them for around £50.. and you don't need torque sensors calibrating on pandas.. when you've fitted the sensor.. jack up the front end of the car and start it up.. if the steering turns on its own to the left or right.. the sensor hasn't been pushed Down enough.

Sorry forgot to mention, whilst your deciding what to do.. pull out the 10amp fuse in the engine bay and drive without power steering. You'll soon get used to it