07 S4 Power Steering Issues?

[A4Ultrasport]

Probably once a month, when I start my car, the power steering doesn't seem to be work. I can move the wheel back and forth, but there is absolutely no power steering assistance. If I turn the car off and back on, it usually starts working the second time, but there have been a few times where I've had to start it 3 or 4 times. Anybody else have this issue? The car is still under warranty, but if I take in, there's no way they'll be able to replicate the problem because it happens so infrequently. Just curious if this is a common issue or not?

[P0234]

Its happened to me once, but I've only had the car for two months. I turned the car off and back on and it was fine again. Curious if this is a common issue.

[dparm]

Next time the steering goes out, drive straight to the dealer so they can see it.

Maybe check if the Servotronic module under the dash is a little bit loose?

[beemercer]

^seconded on the Servotronic relay and fuse, sounds like its not turning on and boosting steering at low speeds.

[ABT B7]

I have the same issue and it is happening more and more recently. Usually when I turn the car off and start it again its normal again. Any others have any suggestions?

[kelseysautobody]

I've had my car for about three months and it's happened to me three times on my 07. I've checked the 641 (i think) relay under the dash and seems to be good and tight. I haven't heard of any other year having this problem yet. Turn the car off and back on and its normal again.

[SquiddyB6S4]

Relays are easy to test, and most end-user fuses can be visually checked.

[mbgt72]

Next time the steering goes out, drive straight to the dealer so they can see it.

Maybe check if the Servotronic module under the dash is a little bit loose?

^seconded on the Servotronic relay and fuse, sounds like its not turning on and boosting steering at low speeds.

I also agree to check this. I would suggest pulling the 641 relay (relay that control servotronic which, as said, boosts power steering at low speeds) so that you can tell if you truly do not have power steering, or just not have the extra help from the servotronic. Because not having servtronic the first couple times probably feels like there is no power steering, but you should feel a difference from the servotronic being disengaged vs there actually being NO power steering assist. Without power steering on a car that's equipped with it, it's gonna be tough to do even basic movements of the wheel, much much different from not having servotronic engaged.

Also check your ps fluid level. Mine was really low before and you could burn up the pump without enough in there.

[SquiddyB6S4]

^Not to mention with a car this heavy, manual steering would be very difficult at slow speeds. I'm sure you still have power steering or you'd have gorilla arms by already

[neodymium]

This problem comes and goes for me. Sometimes a restart works and sometimes it doesn't. It never lasts more than a minute, but it is definitely concerning to me.

[A4Ultrasport]

I also agree to check this. I would suggest pulling the 641 relay (relay that control servotronic which, as said, boosts power steering at low speeds) so that you can tell if you truly do not have power steering, or just not have the extra help from the servotronic. Because not having servtronic the first couple times probably feels like there is no power steering, but you should feel a difference from the servotronic being disengaged vs there actually being NO power steering assist. Without power steering on a car that's equipped with it, it's gonna be tough to do even basic movements of the wheel, much much different from not having servotronic engaged.

Also check your ps fluid level. Mine was really low before and you could burn up the pump without enough in there.

It's definitely not the servotronic, it's the power steering. I came from an A4 that had no servotronic, and this is way heavier than that was. I actually gave a thought to trying to drive it the dealer while the issue was happening last time, but quickly gave up after trying to make a few turns in the parking lot I was in.

[jdpdesign]

I have had this issue a few times. One time I was a block from the dealer and drove it over with the issue and when I shut off the car in the service lane the problem stopped. They looked at it and topped it off with ps fluid. It has happened a couple times since then but is hard to reproduce on que.

[mbgt72]

It's definitely not the servotronic, it's the power steering. I came from an A4 that had no servotronic, and this is way heavier than that was. I actually gave a thought to trying to drive it the dealer while the issue was happening last time, but quickly gave up after trying to make a few turns in the parking lot I was in.

I think you still need to give this a shot. I would imagine Audi engineered the power steering system different on a B6/7 S4 with servotronic being standard vs a B6 A4 that had servotronic as an option. With the weight difference over the front wheels due to the V8 vs inline 4, I still feel there's a chance you could be having issues with servotronic. Literally it takes 5 min to pull that fuse and plug it back in, so just reach in and grab it.

When you're at ~25mph+ with this "problem" is it still extremely difficult to drive? If so then I would agree that there is an issue with PS and in that case it would actually be hindering you from being able to turn rather than acting neutral.


Also have you checked PS fluid level yet???

[ABT B7]

PS fluid level seems okay. This problem comes and goes. It is definitely a concern since I still warranty and I want to get it fixed before the warranty is over.

[S4fun]

Probably once a month, when I start my car, the power steering doesn't seem to be work. I can move the wheel back and forth, but there is absolutely no power steering assistance. If I turn the car off and back on, it usually starts working the second time, but there have been a few times where I've had to start it 3 or 4 times. Anybody else have this issue? The car is still under warranty, but if I take in, there's no way they'll be able to replicate the problem because it happens so infrequently. Just curious if this is a common issue or not?

I have the same issue on my 08 S4. Usually I have some power steering, it's just not boosted to the level it normally is. I've never shut down the engine and started it again, the power always has come back to the steering after 20 seconds or so.

[aeolian9]

Same problem here with my '07 S4. Comes and goes, but seems to be happening very frequently as of late. My problem does not go away if I drive regardless of how long. I have to turn the engine off and back on and its fine. Fluid level is normal, I guess I have to check the 641 fuse. If that dosent fit it, back to the dealership

[ABT B7]

The challenge is we have to go to the dealership right the way while power steering is gone. After we shut it off its back to normal again.

[Fas4wrd]

Anybody ever figure this out. I suspect it may be some relay since I was able to show the dealer. They retrieved a low voltage warning code on a relay.
After they reset the code all was fine until I restarted the vehicle once I returned home and the problem reappeared.

[nicotino15]

I was going to add the comment to stop shutting your car off and turning it back on to fix it as when this happens to my 07 S4 it simply goes away after I move forward a few feet and pick up a few mph. I guess some of you are saying it won't go away even once you get going though...

This is a very common issue, the first time it happened to me I searched and there are a lot of threads on this of people with the same problem, sometimes changing the relay fixes it sometimes it doesn't. Seems like it is so infrequent most people give up trying to fix the problem.

[crabpot]

Definitely happen to me every once in a while.

[A4Ultrasport]

As the original poster, I can say I've just gotten used to this. Still happens, but fairly infrequently (less than once a month). I've stopped restarting and instead just drive for 10 seconds or so and the power comes back.

I was a bit alarmed at first, but as long as it doesn't happen more frequently or last longer, I'm not too concerned. Oddly, I actually enjoy the heavier steering feel a bit for the whole 10 seconds it lasts...

[Fas4wrd]

I was going to add the comment to stop shutting your car off and turning it back on to fix it as when this happens to my 07 S4 it simply goes away after I move forward a few feet and pick up a few mph. I guess some of you are saying it won't go away even once you get going though...

This is a very common issue, the first time it happened to me I searched and there are a lot of threads on this of people with the same problem, sometimes changing the relay fixes it sometimes it doesn't. Seems like it is so infrequent most people give up trying to fix the problem.

Correct, it does not go away. While moving at a 30 mph or so it becomes easier but once you are in parking-lot speed it again becomes difficult. It's as if there are 3 ratios and the one set for slow manuvering (the quickest ratio) is not functioning.