00816 on Skoda: How to Diagnose & Fix
Power Steering Sensor (G250): Faulty
1 Skoda model · 1 documented issue · 1 critical · $110-$950 repair
On Skoda vehicles, 00816 (power steering sensor (g250): faulty) is most often reported on the 2000-2014 Skoda Fabia as Power Steering Sensor G250 Circuit Failure Causing Heavy Steering and Servotronic Warning ($110-$950 repair). Follow the factory sequence rather than replacing parts on the code alone. Skoda's remedy for all three 00816 entries starts with reading measured value block 002 and comparing the sensor value against the specification while the steering is turned, then testing the wiring against the current flow diagram for shorts to earth, shorts to positive, and open circuits. Rated critical: Fabia Power Steering Sensor G250 Circuit Failure Causing Heavy Steering and Servotronic Warning. Each section below gives the symptoms, how to confirm the cause, the fix, parts and sources for that model.
Common causes of 00816 (all vehicles)
- Faulty or internally failed power steering sensor (G250) within the pump/rack assembly
- Replacement power steering pump or rack that is incompatible with the original part or from a different supplier
- Uncoded or unadapted replacement pump/control module not matched to the vehicle
- Damaged, corroded, or loose wiring and connectors at the power steering sensor
- Short to ground or short to positive in the sensor circuit
- Failing power steering control module
00816 on Skoda by model: symptoms, diagnosis and fix
The Fabia was fitted with the electro-hydraulic power steering system, and Skoda's own workshop self-diagnosis fault table for the power steering system lists 00816 three separate times: once for a short circuit to earth in the line between the power steering sensor and the control unit, once for a short circuit to positive in that same line, and once for a defective sensor or an interrupted line. Every one of those entries records the same customer-facing consequence - the power steering runs in emergency mode, the steering requires greater effort, and the servotronic warning light comes on. In practice owners report the assistance disappearing without warning, most noticeably at parking speeds and in slow manoeuvres where the loss of hydraulic help is dramatic, while the car still steers acceptably at road speed. The warning lamp may cycle on and off before the fault becomes permanent. The two real-world drivers are the same as elsewhere on the platform - degraded wiring and connectors at the motor/pump unit in the exposed front left of the engine bay, and replacement pumps fitted without the required coding, the latter documented by independent workshops on Mk2 cars immediately after a PAS pump swap.
Common Symptoms
- Steering becomes very heavy at parking speeds
- Servotronic / power steering warning light illuminated
- Assistance cuts out then returns intermittently
- No power steering after a pump replacement
- Greater steering effort required than normal
How to Fix
Follow the factory sequence rather than replacing parts on the code alone. Skoda's remedy for all three 00816 entries starts with reading measured value block 002 and comparing the sensor value against the specification while the steering is turned, then testing the wiring against the current flow diagram for shorts to earth, shorts to positive, and open circuits. Only if the wiring checks out does the manual call for replacing the sensor. On a car with original parts, inspect and repair at the connector first - the plugs at the motor/pump unit sit where they collect water and salt, and corroded or spread terminals produce exactly the intermittent open-circuit behaviour the code describes. Repair with soldered joints, reseal, and re-clip the loom away from the pump body. On a car that has recently had a pump fitted, the priority is different: verify the replacement is the correct supplier variant for the VIN - Ross-Tech warns that at least two manufacturers supply these units with incompatible components - then code and adapt the new unit to the vehicle before condemning anything. After any repair, clear the memory, turn the wheel lock to lock with the engine running, and confirm the value block stays in range and the warning lamp stays out through a full drive cycle.
Looking for 00816 on a different make?
View 00816 across all makes →Frequently asked questions
What does 00816 mean on a Skoda?
00816 stands for "Power Steering Sensor (G250): Faulty." This is a VAG (Volkswagen/Audi/Skoda/SEAT) manufacturer-specific fault code stored by the power steering control module, indicating a fault with the Power Steering Sensor (G250). The module has detected an electrical problem with the sensor signal (short to ground, open/short to positive, or a faulty/implausible sensor), which can cause stiff/heavy steering, power steering operating in emergency (limp) mode, and an illuminated warning light. It very commonly appears after a power steering pump or rack replacement when an incompatible or uncoded part is fitted, because steering racks/pumps from different suppliers use non-interchangeable internal components. On Skoda it is documented across 1 model: Fabia.
How do I diagnose 00816 on a Skoda Fabia?
Follow the factory sequence rather than replacing parts on the code alone. Skoda's remedy for all three 00816 entries starts with reading measured value block 002 and comparing the sensor value against the specification while the steering is turned, then testing the wiring against the current flow diagram for shorts to earth, shorts to positive, and open circuits. Only if the wiring checks out does the manual call for replacing the sensor. Published repair guidance and available estimates are in the Fabia section on this page.
What causes 00816 on Skoda vehicles?
Documented causes on Skoda: Power Steering Sensor G250 Circuit Failure Causing Heavy Steering and Servotronic Warning. Generic causes of 00816: Faulty or internally failed power steering sensor (G250) within the pump/rack assembly, Replacement power steering pump or rack that is incompatible with the original part or from a different supplier, Uncoded or unadapted replacement pump/control module not matched to the vehicle, Damaged, corroded, or loose wiring and connectors at the power steering sensor.
How much does it cost to fix 00816 on a Skoda?
Published repair estimates on Skoda range from $110 to $950 depending on the model and root cause. If an issue mentions a recall or campaign, check your VIN with the manufacturer or NHTSA and confirm eligibility and coverage with a dealer.
Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.