Part time power steering

J

Jimbo.D

Member
Sorry if this has covered, couldn't find it. Ought an 03 z4 last week and the power steering is non-existent until the car has mover abt 50ft then everything is fine. Does have the idiot light at all times. What other than a complete swap or rebuild can I look for as thr culprit? Thanks from a newbie.
 
First thing, as always, I’d get the codes read. Does the sport button work?
Can the code reader communicate with the power steering ecu?
If you can get that kind of detail we can be of more help to you.
Where are you? Anywhere near me?
 
Thanks for the reply!! I'm in South West TN so just a bit too far to come have a beer and figure it all out🤣🤣 did a code read and got three for lean fuel. The steering idiot light went off and quick as I fired it up, all was good. Guess I'll see how it plays out as we drive a bit more.
 
Thanks for the reply!! I'm in South West TN so just a bit too far to come have a beer and figure it all out🤣🤣 did a code read and got three for lean fuel. The steering idiot light went off and quick as I fired it up, all was good. Guess I'll see how it plays out as we drive a bit more.
 
After a few days of driving. Idiot light back on most of the time. When its off at start up, steering is fine until it lights up. Talked with the previous owner, and he mentioned a vacuum leak? Doesn't make sense with an electric unit but I am clueless. No sport button on this car.
 
Jimbo.D said:
After a few days of driving. Idiot light back on most of the time. When its off at start up, steering is fine until it lights up. Talked with the previous owner, and he mentioned a vacuum leak? Doesn't make sense with an electric unit but I am clueless. No sport button on this car.
Click to expand...
I suspect the only vacuum involved is between the previous owner's ears. :rofl:

Still really need to see if a diagnostic tool can communicate with the EPS ECU.
At this point it could be the steering angle sensor, the torque sensor or the EPS motor.

Torque sensor would usually fail when you put a steering input in.
Steering angle sensor tends to either work or it doesn't.
The EPS ECU is prone to heating up and failing internally. It sits right on top of the motor as an integral part.
My money would be on that tbh.
In the UK we can remove the motor and send it away to be repaired, and it comes back with a lifetime warranty.
I believe they will deal overseas too, but not sure if it would cost too much.
If you can find a good second-hand motor to swap in it should work ok without any coding required.
Plenty of discussion on here on how to remove it, but bearing in mind most of that relates to RHD cars. Not sure what the differences are, but I do know the motor sits to the left of the column whereas ours sit to the right. Same component though: it has two sets of bolt holes depending which side it is to be fitted.

Motors aren't too heavy. I could bring one as hand baggage :poke: :D
 
Thanks for the input. Will definitely check the things you've mentioned. I can tear down and rebuild any vehicle that doesn't have a computer attached so maybe I can figure this thing out.
 
Jimbo.D said:
Thanks for the input. Will definitely check the things you've mentioned. I can tear down and rebuild any vehicle that doesn't have a computer attached so maybe I can figure this thing out.
Click to expand...
Yup do a search on here for removing the motor. BMW insist the column has to come out. Others say you need to lower it. All I do is take the steerung lower shroud and the footwell panel out, use an 8mm ratchet ring spanner to remove the two torx head bolts and wiggle it out.
I do remove the seat and steering wheel for better access as I’m an old git and my back doesn’t like the twisting.
Be sure to mark the spacer and the actual column so they can remain aligned otherwise you will affect the mesh of the gears and can get sticky steering.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom