I found the right car and negotiated the right price, so as of night B4 last, I own a B5!
It's a 1997 1.8tqm with 112k, & I'll try to post some pics before the weekend's up...

The bad:
it has something wrong with the steering, and I could use some help diagnosing the problem.
I'm not sure of the best way to desribe this, but its basically overly sensitive at high speed...
anything over about 50mph, and the SLIGHTEST movement of the steering wheel will put you in the other lane.
is there a "speed based variable steering ratio?" is this a common problem with these cars?
In having a hard time searching for this because I don't know the correct terms to use to describe this anomaly. Any help will be greatly appreciated.


One more thing, it has coil on plug ignition. Each coil is a Bosch part with "S4" written on it, and I'm wondering if its stock or something that's been altered?

 

Also, the abs and brake lights are on this am...
brakes work fine, but I'm guessing there's a reason for the two idiot lights...
possible causes???

 

nothing, eh?

Has anyone here experienced the same/similar problems with the steering in their B5 TQM? I HAVE to get this fixed immediately.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

well for most cars the faster you go the less effort it takes to move the steering wheel... It's called speed assisted steering.

 

your abs control module is prob shot get it rebuilt here http://www.bba-reman.com/

the steering probem is most likely in the rack.

im no mechanic but my abs and brake light were on i vaged it and it wasnt the speed sensors.
the rack situation is just a guess.

edit: i rebuilt the abs control module and no more lights using that company

 

also what size tires are you running, i notice on my winters... 225 i think they don't follow the road as much as the summers... 235

 

alignment in spec?

 

Alignment feels good, tires are nearly new 205/55/16 Firestone Firehawks. If this has speed assisted steering, I could hypothesize that at low speed the ratio would be high, and at high speed the ratio would be low. If this is true, then I could further deduct that my speed assisted steering is only functioning at low speed ratios, so when I drive at interstate speeds/beyond, I have a RIDICULOUSLY high ratio???

If this is a possibility, would a VAG scanner reveal trouble codes for this? I'm considering this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB....cWAT.m240.lVI
Is this worth a s hit, or should I look for something else?
If the speed assist steering hypothesis sounds feasible, WHAT sensors/relays/modules would be the likely suspects?
If something in the steering rack as also suggested, what exactly could it be, and what would be the simplist, most cost effective solution?


BTW, Thanks for the ref on the ABS module... I'm calling them tomorrow.

 

If the car has a problem with speed assisted steering, could the ABS controller be responsible for the problem?

Also, how would I determine if it's the module, pump or BOTH?

ABS does NOT work on this car... if I stand on the brakes, it will lock up the wheels without any pulsing