Intermittent Power Steering with odd fault lights

[London Dry]

While getting a smog check here in California, the power steering quit. The tech had his fault code reader plugged in. He saw a fault with the torque steering, and was able to reset it. All good. A few days later, the EPS fails again. I go back to the Smog Station, and get the Torque Steering fault reset and EPS comes back on, BUT all these faults appear -- see attached images -- plus the SPORT button light was on, but no active Sport Mode. On the next fault code reset the tech could not see the Torque Steering code, only the BRAKE fault code, which when reset activated the EPS, until I restarted the car. Then no EPS, and all the fault lights on, too. Once the EPS came back on when I made a locked-left turn.

I've read many of the related posts here, and I was ready to replace the steering column (to fix both the Torque and Steering Angle sensors), but I'm concerned there's more going on because of the Sport Mode light and Tire Pressure light, unrelated to the steering.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

BTW, my car is a 2003 E85 3.0i with 6-spd manual, 165,000 miles. I've put on about 30k of those miles.

 

[ph001]

I've read many of the related posts here, and I was ready to replace the steering column (to fix both the Torque and Steering Angle sensors), but I'm concerned there's more going on because of the Sport Mode light and Tire Pressure light, unrelated to the steering.

Sport mode and tire pressure warning ARE related to steering angle. For example the tire pressure system is ignored when turning (because naturally the outside wheels turn quicker than the inside which the TPS would interpret as a puncture).

 

[Zulu4]

Off topic a bit.
I'm still learning...so is the TPMS looking at rolling circumference via the ABS sensors to determine a puncture, rather than a dedicated pressure sensor in each wheel ?

 

[MKZ4000]

Could be the motor on the eps starting to fail. When mine went the sport light was on and could not be turned off.

The code reader could not communicate which is common

 

[ph001]

Off topic a bit.
I'm still learning...so is the TPMS looking at rolling circumference via the ABS sensors to determine a puncture, rather than a dedicated pressure sensor in each wheel ?

Yes, exactly right. Different on the e89 which has dedicated pressure sensors.

 

[London Dry]

Thanks ph001 and MKZ4000 -- That's really helpful info that answers the questions around the Sport Mode and Tire Pressure warning. So replacing the steering column with a low mileage one, with the motor included, would take care of these issues?

Could the EPS ECU be part of this? I've read that some members have sent their ECUs out for repair/refurb.

 

[London Dry]

I have sourced a steering column with motor and ECU, and everything else up to the steering wheel for $388 delivered! I'll report back after the install.

 

[ph001]

That’s a good find. Hope install all goes ok

 

[London Dry]

Steering column has been installed by Horizon German Car in Los Angeles. $300. Total cost $688. It worth all the hunting. Drives great and all those dash lights are off.

Issue Fixed.

 

[ph001]

Great

 

[Zulu4]

Well done
Thanks for posting that it's fixed. I wonder which of the components was actually at fault ?

 

[firebobby]

Well done, it's nice when you can rectify a problem. Did your new column come with the cruise switch?