Loose Power Steering Pressure Switch and Low Fluid

Tiny
R286PS2
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,000 MILES
I noticed this in my 1.8t. I was wondering if this could cause weird rev spiking and shifting issues. It basically had no power steering fluid. I replaced the pressure switch and added fluid, and so far it seems to be fine.

But curious of how a power steering issue can affect the engines rpm's and therefore shift points.
Monday, October 10th, 2016 AT 3:51 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,692 POSTS
The pressure switch tells the ECM that you are turning and there for increases the rpm's to add more power steering fluid pressure to help you turn easier.
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Monday, October 10th, 2016 AT 4:02 PM
Tiny
R286PS2
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If the car has no power steering fluid could this cause odd rev spiking? It seems like the car was diverting power from the transmission to the the power steering. Really wacky, but it is all electronically controlled.
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Monday, October 10th, 2016 AT 4:05 PM
Tiny
AL514
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Is it still doing it since you replaced the power steering pressure switch and filled the fluid? Or is everything back to normal?
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Monday, October 10th, 2016 AT 4:09 PM
Tiny
R286PS2
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It seems to be okay now. But odd that something like that could affect the rpm's and transmission. But everything is controlled electronically so not sure if any part of the car works independent anymore.
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Monday, October 10th, 2016 AT 4:11 PM
Tiny
AL514
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Power steering switch will effect rpm's.
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Monday, October 10th, 2016 AT 4:18 PM
Tiny
AL514
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And yes most cars are all electronics these days, sorry to say.
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Monday, October 10th, 2016 AT 4:19 PM
Tiny
R286PS2
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If the rpm's are affected would it also then affect the shift points?
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Monday, October 10th, 2016 AT 4:20 PM
Tiny
AL514
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Yes, I am not a Volkswagen Technician but the ECM and TCM (transmission computer) due communicate same as the body control module and any other PCM's in the car. But as long your problem is fixed then I would not worry about it too much more. If you want to know everything about cars these days you have to go to school for it. That is why us Tech's go through so much training for whatever dealership we work for. Usually starting with technical college, then factory training. It is not something we just know with out a lot of hard work first.
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Monday, October 10th, 2016 AT 6:12 PM
Tiny
R286PS2
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks, I just find it strange that something like power steering can affect the engine and transmission, but the way the electronics work on these cars it seems very possible.
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Monday, October 10th, 2016 AT 6:35 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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The European cars are different to say the least there very sensitive. I had 2013 Vw cv. The battery went bad and the drivers power window stopped working. Had to do a master reset where you touch the positive and negative cable together with the battery unhooked. Then the window started working again. Everything effects thing that is all you need to remember. Lol.
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2016 AT 12:09 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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That was a cc model, stupid phone auto corrected me.
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2016 AT 12:10 PM
Tiny
R286PS2
  • MEMBER
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Is anyone here a VW Mechanic that would know anything about this?
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Wednesday, October 26th, 2016 AT 5:30 PM

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