VW Caddy Electric Steering Column Adjustment Failure Fix

I had a similar steering issue with my VW Golf from 2014, which shares many components with the Caddy. As someone with moderate experience working on VWs, I initially tried checking the fuses but quickly realized the mechanical fault was more complex. The electric adjustment system in the steering column completely stopped responding, showing the same symptoms. After taking it to a workshop, they diagnosed a faulty connection in the wiring harness near the steering column adjustment motor. The repair involved replacing damaged cables and a connector that had worked loose over time. Total repair cost was 95€, including diagnostic work. The actual fix took about 2 hours once they had the car on the lift. To better assist with your specific case, could you share: Does the steering column make any noise when you try to adjust it, Are there any other electrical issues in the dashboard area, What error code is stored in the memory These details would help determine if your car steering problem matches what I experienced with my Golf, as the electric adjustment systems are quite similar between these models.

Just had my 35000km service last month and noticed this problem right after. The column makes a clicking sound when attempting adjustment, plus theres a grinding noise. No other electrical issues anywhere else. The error code shows P1234 in the computer. Really hoping its just a loose connection like your case but the grinding sound has me worried about potential damage to the adjustment mechanism.

Thanks for those extra details. The grinding noise you mentioned is different from what I experienced with my Golf, and it actually points to a potentially more serious issue with the electronic steering adjustment mechanism. The clicking followed by grinding typically indicates the steering column motor is trying to work but encountering mechanical resistance. In my Golf, when the wiring issue was fixed, there was never any grinding noise during the repair attempts. Given this happened right after your service, its worth checking if something was accidentally disconnected or damaged during maintenance. The P1234 error code combined with the grinding noise suggests the electric steering column adjustment motor might be struggling against a mechanical obstruction or has internal damage. While my repair was a simple 95€ wiring fix, your steering issue sounds more complex. The grinding noise often means the entire adjustment mechanism needs replacement, which typically runs between 400-600€ depending on parts availability. From my experience, I would advise against continuing to attempt adjustments when hearing the grinding noise, as this could cause further damage to the steering column components. Considering these symptoms differ from my earlier case, it would be best to have a professional diagnose the exact cause, especially given the timing with your recent service.

The grinding noise definitely has me more concerned now. After reading about your different experience, I realize this might be a bigger repair than just a loose connection. Ill stop trying to adjust it to prevent any additional damage to the steering column components. Looking at potential costs between 400-600€ for a full mechanism replacement is not great news, but at least I have a realistic picture now. Since this started right after the service, Ill contact the workshop first to check if they noticed anything during the maintenance that could have triggered this mechanical fault. Really appreciate the detailed comparison with your steering failure case. Even though the symptoms are different, it helped me understand what to look out for. Ill get it checked out this week before the electric adjustment issue gets worse. Better to fix it now than risk more extensive steering column damage. Just hope the repair shop can get the parts quickly if they need to replace the whole mechanism. Wondering if I should mention the 35000km service timing when I bring it in, might be relevant to diagnosing the root cause of this adjustment issue.