for info on this one - will post on the wider forum too.
managed to get vcds on the car - it showed up a crash fault on the pump - pump was fine so cleared the code and it worked.
The car was driving well - no issues but a few days ago the power steering warning light came back on - back onto vcds and the fault showing was:
09
01117 - Generator Terminal DF Load Signal
008 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent
and
00907 - Intervention load Management
000 - - - Intermittent
and on the power steering:
01288 - Terminal 30; Steering Assist
06-00 - Signal too High
so I looked into it and after a bit of digging on here and on other VAG owners sites it looked like the voltage regulator on the alternator was faulty.
so I looked on youtube and found a fantastic video on
how to resolve most of the faults on my alternator type (Valeo) - replace the brushes. The step by step video was absolutely perfect and I've just done the job this morning. Everything worked as per the advice.
so if you;re having problems with your alternator check this chaps videos out - he may have something for you:
codes are now cleared on car and it looks to have resolved the issues.
got the brushes from ebay for under 3 quid