E89 power steering issue.

[Owdgit]

Buggery bollarks.
F'in bmw.
I had a warning light and stiff steering pop up a few days ago.
Decided to try a new battery, I now know it was still on the 2010 original.
Changed the battery, coded it in, cleared up the errors and the steering one comes back
Instrument cluster, A54B id failure or alive eps
These cars are a very fragile money pit, I've only done 1500 miles since I got it thanks to covid.
Any idea how to remove the steering rack?
Can't find a 'how to" on it.
How high up does it need to be to get it out from underneath? Normal trolley jack and axle stands good enough?
Getting p'd off with this car.
Lovely looking and lovely to drive but OMG what a bleedin pain

[tintoverano]

repair manual

[Owdgit]

Looks like fun.
Is it likely to cause any damage driving with the error till I can work up the enthusiasm to do it?
How bmw can get away with such shoddy parts and not recall them in the UK is shocking, shame on you bmw

repair manual

[tintoverano]

it seems the ecu module is broken, so you have no steering assistance

I don't think anyone here on the forum would advise you to drive the car like that

[Owdgit]

Don't know if it's just delaying the inevitable or a battery anomaly but after going for a good ride and an engine restart the steering warning has gone and it seems to be ok.
As unlucky Alf says "it's probably just a matter of time "

[Pbondar]

Don't know if it's just delaying the inevitable or a battery anomaly but after going for a good ride and an engine restart the steering warning has gone and it seems to be ok.
As unlucky Alf says "it's probably just a matter of time "

If you follow your signature I would suggest you drive it a few times in the next few days...

Battery failure causes all sorts of both permanent and transient failures..

In the world of computing you can never ever reboot a computer enough times to see if you can reset it..

With 30 ECU’ s on board an E89 and the amount of interdependence of sensors and ECU’ s it’s worth a try along with a new battery and battery registration..

Probably 85% of all errors related to battery failure do reset themselves..sometimes you need to clear the codes and then drive and repeat..

You can lookup your vin to see if you were an unlucky one with a batch of duff steering systems ...I suspect your car is in the relevant age range..

[Paul Morgan]

If it turns out you need to have the steering motor repaired (see previous thread) do not remove the rack just remove the motor from it this can be done from underneath. Axle stands will be high enough

[Owdgit]

If it turns out you need to have the steering motor repaired (see previous thread) do not remove the rack just remove the motor from it this can be done from underneath. Axle stands will be high enough

Cheers Paul, that sounds like a much better option if it does die.

[Owdgit]

I can't believe that I'm actually writing this but there has been no reoccurrence of the warning light and stiff steering.
I've even scanned it and cleared all the errors successfully so it looks like it could possibly have been battery related. The date stamped on the negative terminal was 52/09 so more than likely the original battery.
Fingers crossed it is sorted and stays that way.
Never known a make or model so sensitive to a battery.

[Pbondar]

I can't believe that I'm actually writing this but there has been no reoccurrence of the warning light and stiff steering.
I've even scanned it and cleared all the errors successfully so it looks like it could possibly have been battery related. The date stamped on the negative terminal was 52/09 so more than likely the original battery.
Fingers crossed it is sorted and stays that way.
Never known a make or model so sensitive to a battery.

You're in a long queue of disbelievers that are then enlightened..

[Owdgit]

Double bugger.
Came to use the Z4 after a week away with it on the ctek and the steering fault has returned.
Going to get this fixed and probably get shut of the money pit. (Could be a knee jerk reaction)
Its done nothing but cost money since I got it.
New maps, new tyres, salmon relays, new battery, Bluetooth adapter and software to register the pigging battery, serviced and mot, and now this and I've only done around 500 miles in it.
Really disappointed with the crap bmw quality, it's like what's going to go wrong each time I get behind the wheel.
Probably just venting on here.

[Owdgit]

Is it worthwhile me taking some photos of the removal and replacement of the steering rack motor it may be of some help to others in the future?

[Paul Morgan]

Yes, I think that would be good idea. I failed to do it and should have done. Be aware that the screws that you will need to remove are made of aluminium so don’t over stress them. Also when you turn the tensioning ring to slacken the drive belt there is also an inner one that must turn as well which is difficult to see. Good luck

[Owdgit]

Thanks Paul, that's why I struggled to get the belt off then. I wasn't looking forward to getting it back on. Couldn't find any mention of the tensioning ring in the ecu testing video, just to rotate the ring to align the cutout with the gear on the motor. Is it behind that one or is that the one you mean?

[Paul Morgan]

Hi Owdgit,
Yes it's behind the front one. I think its fixed and not loose like the like the front one they both have to locate together with a dowel when turning. Mine was rather stiff to turn. Your right ECU do not mention it but they do it the easy way on a bench. Once you have both plates turned to getter and aligned the motor will slide out easily and will go back without difficulty.
Keep at it. Paul,
p.s. think of the money your saving.