e85 2003 intermittent power steering problem

[redgum]

A couple of days ago I stopped to do some shopping and when I went to leave the power steering had stopped working and steering light on, turned off and back on and fine for a few days, it did it again when I had stopped at a garden centre. Would this be electrical or the power steering motor is on its way out.
Any ideas?

 

[colb]

Code read it to see what codes have been set to give you a clue

 

[redgum]

I will see if I know someone with a code reader, thanks for your reply

 

[raymond.harper]

It has to be a model-specific code reader. The nearest one to you is in Newport https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=144268&start=15.

 

[enuff_zed]

If you try to code read it when it's in the failed state, and can't see the EPS ECU, then it is on it's way out.
If it has a Sport button test that to see if it works when the steering fails. If it doesn't then it's most likely the ECU on its way out, but if it lights up then it could be the Steering Angle Sensor.
Due to the ECU completely failing I(if that is your issue) then it won't set any codes, as when it comes back to life it thinks it's fine.

 

[redgum]

Thanks for that, I will see if the sport button lights up when the light comes on next time.

 

[AL_MO]

Morning all, spent the evening scrolling through the many EPS woes, however I couldn’t find any experiences where the ECU is responding and gives an error code? My Foxwell reader is currently reporting -

EPS Status - Present
Description - EPS Speed Servomotor

It has previously showed status as “not present” however the issue which was previously intermittent, is now present after driving a few meters.

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom!

 

[enuff_zed]

Morning all, spent the evening scrolling through the many EPS woes, however I couldn’t find any experiences where the ECU is responding and gives an error code? My Foxwell reader is currently reporting -

EPS Status - Present
Description - EPS Speed Servomotor

It has previously showed status as “not present” however the issue which was previously intermittent, is now present after driving a few meters.

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom!

Hello. So does the steering actually fail? If so, does the sport button still work?

 

[AL_MO]

Yeah, no power steering at all. One thing to note, when it does work on the odd occasion it’s lighter and more responsive than it has ever been.

 

[enuff_zed]

Yeah, no power steering at all. One thing to note, when it does work on the odd occasion it’s lighter and more responsive than it has ever been.

Sounds like an issue in the ECU

 

[AL_MO]

Would I be correct in saying this would be captured as part of ECU Testing’s refurb process?

 

[enuff_zed]

Would I be correct in saying this would be captured as part of ECU Testing’s refurb process?

I think so, but I'd ring and chat to them. Very helpful.

 

[colb]

Feel your pain mine just failed, no steering, dash light on cant communicate with module on the scanner so cant see fault codes, sport button not working. All described on ECU testing as common on these indicating ecu fail. Sending mine off to them for repair after Bank Holiday. It was a real pain getting it out, drivers seat out trim in footwell out and then struggle to undo the two torx bolts that hold it in all whilst lying upside down in the footwell. Took me all day hope it is easier putting it back in.