EPS Torque sensor failures Code 611C

[cjs82]

Hi all - first post after a few years of appreciating all the technical knowledge while working on my e85. After buying my Z4 as a project to do up and succeeding 5 years ago, I have one recurring issue that makes me question the Z's ongoing place in my life.

Specifically, the EPS system - in the past 3 years I have had the servo rebuilt and the torque sensor fail twice - the latest only the other day. It seems that the torque sensors last about a year and then give up, usually a week before the MOT.

Getting the steering column out and back in again is such a PITA, I can only bring myself to do it again if there are any other preventative actions. Beyond the steering, I'm rather fond of it.

I have changed the voltage regulator and the car has no other fault codes showing.

Has anybody else had similar experiences and crucially, any idea how to prevent it?

Cheers, Chris.

P.S I'm probably not fond enough of it to go down the hydraulic conversion route!

 

[enuff_zed]

Have you repaired the torque sensor or fitted a replacement column?
If only a repair then that could be the issue.
Swapping the column isn’t that difficult I find.
Fiddliest bit is swapping the ignition barrel!

 

[cjs82]

1 x torque sensor repair at Autotronics and 1 x replacement column from a breaker. The latest was the replacement column. I have the original column which has been repaired a second time in a box, but unless I can figure out why they fail so frequently and what to fix, it'll be off to the breaker.

Enuff_zed - you must be more talented than me. I find getting the column in and refitting the servo, with the column balanced on my knees while the servo unbalances the whole thing by hanging off one side to be....negative fun.