605 Relay gone bad?
 

Hi all,

I haven't driven my '03 A6 Avant (63k miles) in a while and got back in it the other day and noticed how much effort was involved in parallel parking, and how heavy the steering was a low speed. The power steering is not groaning or whining, but simply at low speeds it's takes a fair amount of effort to turn the wheel. It feels only slightly boosted.

My wife noticed a change a few weeks ago, but just remember that she needed to tell me.. :-)

The 605 relay is still there. I took it out way back when in 2004 and put it back because the wife complained back then.

Could the relay actually go bad?
Does anyone have an old 605 they want to part with?

What else could it be?

Thanks.

take it out....ya really don't need it

605
 

If you don't eat your Wheaties and really want that thing, I have one in my glove box that I'll never use. Let me know. Yours for postage only, (USA).

Thanks. I just PM'ed you...I hope that works.

ya i have one i would sell to you for $100 dealer price is $241

Nobody of sound mind is going to pay $100 for a 605. You'll be lucky to get rid of it for $10 plus postage. 605's are for weaklings anyway.

Thx. But got a relay from jbchinoca.

You're welcome. Postage only, FTW.

Thx again!!

So I'm guessing the new 605 fixed the problem? Here's my issue. I noticed my wifes 03 A6 Avant 3.0Q did not have a light steering feel like my dads 06 A4 does. After some reading here, I learned of the servotronic relay and though maybe it was removed, but never bothered checking. Today we basically lost slow speed power steering, figured, maybe it wasn't removed and now has failed. Upon further reading today, I find my A6 most likely doesn't have servotronic, and sure enough no 605 or 628 relay in place.

So, power steering is almost non-existant at low speed, even in neutral with engine reving, no whining, no leaks, fresh red Mobile 1 ATF in the reservoir. The rolling/high speed performance is fine.

Does the non-servotronic steering still have velocity sensing controls that could malfunction and intefere with the mechanical power steering system?