Loose Power Steering Pressure Switch and Low Fluid

2005 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
118,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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R286PS2
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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.
Oct 10, 2016 at 3:51 PM
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AL514
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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.
Oct 10, 2016 at 4:02 PM
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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.
Oct 10, 2016 at 4:05 PM
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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?
Oct 10, 2016 at 4:09 PM
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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.
Oct 10, 2016 at 4:11 PM
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AL514
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power steering switch will effect rpm's.
Oct 10, 2016 at 4:18 PM
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AL514
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and yes most cars are all electronics these days, sorry to say.
Oct 10, 2016 at 4:19 PM
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R286PS2
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If the rpm's are affected would it also then affect the shift points?
Oct 10, 2016 at 4:20 PM
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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.
Oct 10, 2016 at 6:12 PM
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R286PS2
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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.
Oct 10, 2016 at 6:35 PM
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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.
Oct 11, 2016 at 12:09 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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That was a cc model, stupid phone auto corrected me.
Oct 11, 2016 at 12:10 PM
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R286PS2
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Is anyone here a VW Mechanic that would know anything about this?
Oct 26, 2016 at 5:30 PM