raadsel Posted April 29, 2017 Report Share Posted April 29, 2017 A couple of days ago I had been running errands. My last stop, very close to home, when I turned the car back on I got a Power Steering Failure message and it was extremely hard to turn the wheel. I drove home and made it okay. Once parked, I decided to try and restart my car and I didn't get the message, and the wheels turned easily -- my power steering was working okay. I decided to head to my Ford dealer and see if they might know anything or have any suggestions. I got the Service Adviser to check for any codes, and there weren't any. I did quite a bit more driving Thursday, did some driving yesterday, and have had no further issues -- everything has been working fine. I'm just curious if anyone else has had this happen, or if you have any suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowStorm Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 Several times I have turned on the car and started to turn the wheel but the power steering was obviously not "powering". It has always started working in just a second or two so I've never given it much thought. I have never seen any warnings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plus 3 golfer Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 I recall at least one time I had a similar experience as SnowStorm. From the manual, the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) needs the power mode signal from the Body Control Module for Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) to be activated. So, any delay or error in getting the signal might be the cause of the few second delay in EPAS activation. Once active, EPAS uses the steering torque sensor input and vehicle speed in applying steering assist. "The steering torque sensor senses the torque at the steering wheel. It is hard wired to the PSCM and works by measuring the relative rotation between an input and output shaft which are connected by a torsion bar." "The PSCM is self-monitoring and is capable of setting and storing Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). Depending on the DTC set, the PSCM may enter a failure mode. In addition, the PSCM may send a request to the IPC to display a message in the message center, alerting the driver of a potential EPAS concern." Depending on the DTC, the PSCM failure modes are 1) diminished EPAS and 2) no EPAS or manual steering. So, my guess is that upon restart the issue causing the failure mode was no longer present and EPAS operation returned to normal and the DTC was reset. It seems that a CAN issue, PSCM issue, or an issue with the steering torque sensor could initiate a failure mode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestevens Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 I had an HHR where they had a batch of substandard electric power steering motors from Delco that finally went out completely under extremely hot conditions driving around one weekend, and you're right, it was amazingly hard to turn because the car was obviously built with power steering in mind. Apparently GM had done a recall of Cobalt power steering motors in the US and HHR power steering motors in Canada but no HHR power steering motor recall in US. Eventually they did cover the cost of the repair and then mysteriously shortly thereafter my thermostat was stuck and to fix it cost about the same as a power steering motor repair job.. Luckily no such problem with the CMAX yet, it's almost eerie - 10,000 mi intervals of visiting the service shop.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raadsel Posted May 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 It was scary for me, at the time, as I was afraid I was going to have an expensive repair. Fortunately, it still hasn't recurred. I'm hoping, like Plus 3 Golfer referred to, it was just a module that didn't start up correctly which caused the power steering "not to turn on." I'll be keeping a watch on it and hopefully it was just a one off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Smith Posted January 2, 2019 Report Share Posted January 2, 2019 so driving in to work today, after having been off of work since Dec 20. get the red warning "service power steering system" so I pull it into the shop at work. steering was a bit heavier not not bad check alldata, check the forum, check the manual. realize there is nothing I can do. go back out and turn car on and get "power steering failure" message now the car steers like a water buffalo. SH#T . if this were to happen while driving, no wonder it freaks people out. now this could have happened when I was off work for nearly two weeks when I could have dropped the car off and not needed a rental..... but noooooo. 2019 is starting off great... 69,000 miles fwiwno CEL either... Sigh.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Smith Posted January 3, 2019 Report Share Posted January 3, 2019 broken rack...ugh.... but nov 2017 car was involved in an accident the removed the left front wheel and suspension from the car. dealership thinks that the internal damage may have been caused by the accident and finally completely failed. so they are talking with insurance company and body shop that handled the repairs. we'll see what happens... wif ele tme borrow her new forrester for the drive to work. surprising 29 mpg average to work this morning.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Smith Posted February 5, 2019 Report Share Posted February 5, 2019 investigation complete damage not related to previous accident. So I had the body shop put in a used rack. 1100 bucks... ugh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptjones Posted February 6, 2019 Report Share Posted February 6, 2019 I wonder what a new one would cost. :headscratch: Just looked at the Service Manual and it is a big job. :sad: Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Smith Posted February 6, 2019 Report Share Posted February 6, 2019 ford wanted more than 2K for the job... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchman Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 I've had the steering assist (red) light come on with the car very hard to steer. Turning it off and back on fixed it both times. Afraid that the rack may be going out. Any updates on these issues? Will Ford cover it under a recall? Thanks for the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyledamron1 Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 Still haven't received anything from Ford :/ if you end up replacing anything, keep your receipts because you will be reimbursed if there ends up being a recall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Smith Posted March 13, 2019 Report Share Posted March 13, 2019 if there is a recall, (doubful as i dont see evidence of many failures) have them pay me for the repair i did (non ford shop with an used rack) and then install a new one... but I'm not holding my breath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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