Intermittent EPS Fault

[Aaronmmii]

Ok, I know this is clearly a problem for any zed owner, however this is my first and it is currently off the road because of this and its killing me not being able to drive it!

I bought the car and the eps light was on and the steering was incredibly heavy.
I drove it an hour to get it back and the steering became really light and the eps light went off. I turned the car off for 15 minutes and then the steering was really heavy and the light was back on. since then it has stayed on until I drove it for roughly another hour and then the steering came light again however the light stayed on. this was the last time I drove it however I don't want to replace the whole steering motor just for that to not be the issue.

anybody have a similar problem they managed to fix?

cheers

 

[enuff_zed]

Hi,
There is a known issue with temperature affecting the EPS motor.
When it fails, does the Sport button still light up? If not, then it is pointing to the ECU mounted on the EPS motor.
What does a code reader/scanner say? Typically it will not be able to communicate with the EPS ECU.
If that sounds like yours then it is going to cost you £295 to get a repair and a lifetime warranty from ECU Testing.
Not sure whether you'd fancy doing it yourself but it is about an hour out and another hour to refit.
Happy to talk you through it if that helps?
Whereabouts are you?

 

[Aaronmmii]

Appreciate the response…

It’s a 2006 2.0, doesn’t have the sport button, I’ve got a £200 Autel computer that doesn’t communicate with the eps to bring up the code. I’m in south wales and any help on taking it out would be appreciated!

 

[Aaronmmii]

Appreciate the response…

It’s a 2006 2.0, doesn’t have the sport button, I’ve got a £200 Autel computer that doesn’t communicate with the eps to bring up the code. I’m in south wales and any help on taking it out would be appreciated!

 

[enuff_zed]

[ref]colb[/ref] is somewhere in your locality. May be able to help.
Failing that, I'm happy to help via PM or phone if I can.
Lack of comms definitely points to the EPS motor but it is actually quite easy to remove/refit.

 

[colb]

Not done any work on the EPS before, if your Autel dosn't communicate then as enuff_zed says, the module is probably duff.
Strip out and replace would seem the way to go or send it off for repair as he suggests.
Umfaan on here is in Bridgend and breaks Z4's, pm him and see what he has in stock.

 

[enuff_zed]

Not done any work on the EPS before, if your Autel dosn't communicate then as enuff_zed says, the module is probably duff.
Strip out and replace would seem the way to go or send it off for repair as he suggests.
Umfaan on here is in Bridgend and breaks Z4's, pm him and see what he has in stock.

Its a fair point actually, as I recently swapped an EPS motor for diagnosis and it worked without any coding etc required. The only downside is that it is an unknown quantity and could fail again, but when you've changed it once you'll realise its a pretty straightforward job.

 

[Aaronmmii]

Is it worth a YouTube tutorial…. Or is there anyway you could show me on your z4 where I’ve got to go?

How much is a replacement and is there much cost difference between getting mine repaired?

 

[enuff_zed]

Is it worth a YouTube tutorial…. Or is there anyway you could show me on your z4 where I’ve got to go?

How much is a replacement and is there much cost difference between getting mine repaired?

I have a column on the bench that I could show you on.
To remove yours, get it repaired and returned well within a week, with a lifetime warranty, is £295.
A second-hand replacement I think would be around £150.

If you search for EPS motor on this forum you'll find a lot of the descriptions of how to do it are there already.

 

[enuff_zed]

If you remove the lower cover from the steering column, and the panel above the pedals, you can see the power steering motor sticking out the side of the column to the right. Three plugs on the outer end and two bolts which can be undone with an 8mm ratchet ring spanner.
A few bits to bear in mind, but that is the basic spannering required.

Just PMd you my contact number if it helps?

 

[raymond.harper]

A nice video for you to look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K00JRcr7Ivk&list=WL&index=1&t=1021s

 

[enuff_zed]

A nice video for you to look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K00JRcr7Ivk&list=WL&index=1&t=1021s

That’s to get the whole column out isn’t it? No need for any dash cutting. The motor can be pulled out on its own. Shame it’s such a long way from Norfolk to Wales! Even if I brought a motor with me, that plus my fuel would be more than a refurbished one if you can get it out yourself.

 

[Aaronmmii]

Appreciate all the comments, I’ll have a play when it’s not absolutely belting it down!!! Appreciate the number, will give you a message if I get stuck at all !!