Audi A6 Steering Column Power Adjustment Failure Fix

I had a similar electric steering adjustment problem with my 2019 Audi A4. Being somewhat experienced with car electrical systems, I initially thought it might be a major steering column replacement issue. The car steering worked fine mechanically, but the electric adjustment completely stopped responding, just like your case. After taking it to a workshop, they diagnosed a faulty connection in the steering column wiring harness. The issue turned out to be less complex than initially feared. The repair involved accessing the steering column connections and replacing a damaged cable assembly. Total cost was 95 Euro including labor, which was reasonable considering the initial concerns about potential steering system problems. Before suggesting more specific solutions, could you share: Does the steering make any noise when trying to adjust? Are there any other electrical functions not working properly? When exactly did the adjustment issue start? Have you noticed any warning lights on the dashboard? This information would help determine if your A6 has the same underlying problem my A4 had or if its something different in the electric adjustment system.

Thanks for sharing your experience. My car just had its annual service last week at 52390 KM. After checking the fault codes today, my steering column seems to make a slight clicking noise when attempting adjustment. No other electrical functions are affected, and there are no warning lights on the dash. The adjustment issue started suddenly after parking overnight, with no prior warning signs. Looking at the mechanical fault codes, I am also leaning toward a wiring issue in the steering system rather than a complete steering column failure. The steering itself works perfectly fine mechanically, its purely the electric adjustment that is causing problems. I just wanted to confirm, was your repair done under warranty or did you have to cover the full cost of the adjustment issue?

Thanks for those details. Interesting to hear about the clicking sound, that matches exactly what my A4 was doing before the repair. In my case, the warranty had just expired when the steering column adjustment issue appeared, so I had to cover the full 95 Euro repair cost. However, the mechanical fault turned out to be fairly straightforward, just like the symptoms you are describing. The clicking noise typically indicates a problem with the electrical connections rather than a complete steering column failure. The repair shop found that moisture had caused corrosion in one of the connection points, leading to intermittent contact in the adjustment mechanism. Given that your car is showing similar symptoms and the steering column problems started suddenly after overnight parking, I suspect you might be dealing with the same type of electrical connection issue. Since your vehicle has just had its annual service, it might be worth checking if this type of repair would be covered under any post-service guarantee. The steering failure you are experiencing sounds nearly identical to what I dealt with, and the fix was much simpler than initially feared. Would you mind sharing what specific fault codes your system is showing? This could help confirm if its the same adjustment issue I experienced.

Thanks for all the detailed information. That clicking sound in the steering column definitely matches what you experienced. The fault codes I am seeing are P1234 and P1235, both related to the steering adjustment circuit. This seems to confirm we are dealing with a similar electrical connection problem rather than a complete steering failure. I will contact the service center about potential coverage since the adjustment issue appeared right after the annual inspection. Even if I have to pay the full amount, 95 Euro is much more reasonable than I initially feared when the electric steering adjustment stopped working. One quick follow-up, did you notice any signs of moisture or corrosion around the steering column area when your repair was done? I am checking my parking situation to make sure there are no water leaks that could cause similar problems in the future. It would be helpful to know what to look out for to prevent another steering column adjustment issue.