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Help with Power Steering issue


raadsel
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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.

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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.

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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..

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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.

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  • 1 year later...

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 fwiw

no CEL either...

 

Sigh....

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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..

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  • 1 month later...
  • 1 month later...
  • 5 years later...

This problem has started occurring on my C-Max: Code: U3000 - Control Module. Additional Fault Symptom: Internal Electronic Failure.

 

The FORScan Lite code screen says 'POWER_MODE_QF: Power Mode OK' so I don't think it's the first problem.

 

'SSHIFT_TQ_S2' reports "-0.1Nm - Steering Shaft Torque Sensor #2', maybe I've gotta get my copy of the service manual, so I can see if that could be the problem - maybe it doesn't like seeing a non-zero value when the car is starting up?

Edited by Noah Harbinger
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