04 E85 3.0i - EPS light on and stiff steering

james078 · Post by **james078** » Sat Dec 09, 2023 12:19 am

My 04' E85 with 236K miles appears to have had the EPS motor/ECU die on it - the light is on and stays on, steering is stiff... for a long time, the light would sometimes stay on at ignition, I could then turn off and restart the car and it would go away... I did do diagnostics with DIS, it says there is No Communication with the EPS... any thoughts on other things I should check, or just proceed with finding a good used EPS ECU/Motor on eBay and moving forward with replacement?

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sat Dec 09, 2023 9:18 am

The EPS ECU has failed. Don’t buy secondhand! No idea of its history.
Get yours out, send it to ECUTesting via their eBay ad and it will come back in around 3 days with a lifetime warranty for £295.
Where are you?
If close to me I’m happy to help or failing that PM me a contact number and I’ll talk you through it.
Fairly straightforward job tbh.

Nidge · Post by **Nidge** » Sat Dec 09, 2023 9:52 am

I have same problem I'm not an experienced mechanic but enuff_zed gave me excellent help & support and I got my EPS motor off without any problems. Sent off to ECU testing for rebuild, they organized pick up by DHL included in the price! It went off yesterday. I'll update when it comes back.

Enuff_zed is soooo helpful. Gave me the confidence to do the job myself (had been quoted £900 + vat by a local garage. And that was only an estimate!).

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sat Dec 09, 2023 9:55 am

Nidge wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 9:52 am I have same problem I'm not an experienced mechanic but enuff_zed gave me excellent help & support and I got my EPS motor off without any problems. Sent off to ECU testing for rebuild, they organized pick up by DHL included in the price! It went off yesterday. I'll update when it comes back.

Enuff_zed is soooo helpful. Gave me the confidence to do the job myself (had been quoted £900 + vat by a local garage. And that was only an estimate!).

Thanks for the recommendation. Easy to explain with a column on the bench to photograph.
If the OP happens to be near you then maybe we can extend the help.

Nidge · Post by **Nidge** » Sat Dec 09, 2023 9:59 am

Sure, no problem. Happy to help if I can. @james078 where in the country are you?

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sat Dec 09, 2023 9:59 am

james078, as Nidge just pointed out to me, if you have WhatsApp then I could simply forward our conversation to you, complete with photos.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sat Dec 09, 2023 10:48 am

Nidge wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 9:52 am (had been quoted £900 + vat by a local garage. And that was only an estimate!).

I wonder how many tens of thousands of pounds have been saved by the combined knowledge of this forum?

raymond.harper · Post by **raymond.harper** » Sat Dec 09, 2023 12:09 pm

In 2016 I was quoted £3500 to fix it!

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sat Dec 09, 2023 12:12 pm

raymond.harper wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 12:09 pm In 2016 I was quoted £3500 to fix it!

That would have been a complete column change, which is the only way BMW or big Indies will tackle it. Ludicrous once you realise how easy it is to swap the motor.
And no need to go cutting that sacrificial section out of the lower dash either.

instigata · Post by **instigata** » Sat Dec 09, 2023 1:49 pm

james078 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 12:19 am My 04' E85 with 236K miles appears to have had the EPS motor/ECU die on it - the light is on and stays on, steering is stiff... for a long time, the light would sometimes stay on at ignition, I could then turn off and restart the car and it would go away... I did do diagnostics with DIS, it says there is No Communication with the EPS... any thoughts on other things I should check, or just proceed with finding a good used EPS ECU/Motor on eBay and moving forward with replacement?

Please also check battery condition, specially if its intermittent.

james078 · Post by **james078** » Sat Dec 09, 2023 5:24 pm

Thanks for all the feedback!!! I have had this car since new, so we’ve been through a lot together

… I live in the US (Texas) so not sure ECS is an option… haven’t seen any rebuilders here, LMK if you’re aware of any…

Nidge · Post by **Nidge** » Sat Dec 09, 2023 5:28 pm

Hi @james078. Check out ECUtesting.com. they do international shipping although I don't know the full details. They're good at replies, so you'll find out quick enough.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sat Dec 09, 2023 5:34 pm

james078 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 5:24 pm Thanks for all the feedback!!! I have had this car since new, so we’ve been through a lot together … I live in the US (Texas) so not sure ECS is an option… haven’t seen any rebuilders here, LMK if you’re aware of any…

No problem at all.
Will only cost you a return flight and I'll bring one over and fit it for you

james078 · Post by **james078** » Sun Dec 10, 2023 8:33 pm

Looks like ECS does do international ! Next question is there youtube video or pics/instructions of how to get this removed? I want to try and get this out this week and sent to ECS if I can... Thanks!!!

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sun Dec 10, 2023 9:00 pm

james078 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 10, 2023 8:33 pm Looks like ECS does do international ! Next question is there youtube video or pics/instructions of how to get this removed? I want to try and get this out this week and sent to ECS if I can... Thanks!!!

Can I WhatsApp you all the info and photos I sent to Nidge? If you can PM me a contact number?

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