Sticky Steering and EPS module

[Pumchdrunked]

Hi all, I need your help.

E85 3.0i SE roadster - I've had it for a few months now, but one area that keeps confusing me is the sticky steering malarkey.

So I plugged the car into ISTA, having tried INPA, DIS and an Ancel OBD type tool. Of all of them, ISTA picked up that there was no communication with the EPS module. Strange, as the others don't identify an issue.

The Sport button works, but I think it makes it worse somehow. The power steering works, and there is nothing on the dashboard to indicate a fault. So I'm flummoxed.

My guess is it is a coding issue - my thinking is that if there was a genuine EPS problem, the power steering wouldn't work, or there'd be a light on the dash. Or the warning sign could have been coded out to hide it. I've no idea.

Any tips or guidance welcome. TIA

 

[enuff_zed]

So are you saying you have sticky steering? Or just that the module doesn't communicate?
If the power steering works and the Sports button works then don't overthink it.

The sticky steering is a bit of a misnomer tbh. It is usually characterised by a tendency to feel small corrections made by the steering motor whilst driving in a straight line. If that is your issue then it's a purely mechanical adjustment to the spacer ring between the motor and the column.

 

[Pumchdrunked]

So are you saying you have sticky steering? Or just that the module doesn't communicate?
If the power steering works and the Sports button works then don't overthink it.

The sticky steering is a bit of a misnomer tbh. It is usually characterised by a tendency to feel small corrections made by the steering motor whilst driving in a straight line. If gthat is your issue then it's a purely mechanical adjustment to the spacer ring bewtween the motor and the column.

You're right, mate. Too much information is not always the best approach. Yes, the steering works fine, as does the Sport button, albeit it sometimes sticks. Thanks for chipping in.

While I've got your attention, it's also throwing codes, the spray nozzle heaters "open circuit". Have you come across that before? Is it the plugs attached to the underside of the bonnet that I need to test with a multimeter?

 

[enuff_zed]

You're right, mate. Too much information is not always the best approach. Yes, the steering works fine, as does the Sport button, albeit it sometimes sticks. Thanks for chipping in.

While I've got your attention, it's also throwing codes, the spray nozzle heaters "open circuit". Have you come across that before? Is it the plugs attached to the underside of the bonnet that I need to test with a multimeter?

Test those nozzles as you suggested. Unusual for both to fail though. Funnily enough after another query today I discovered they are on Fuse 21 so check that too