Total power steering failure - please help!

when the upper steering column has to be removed, there is a pin built into the column that has to be inserted to make sure it is all aligned. This is the same process for uninstalling and installing.

Ask the breaker if this pin is still attached. If they dont know walk away, not worth risking your money, cos you could end up buying it, installing it, paying labour costs, and the column is ruined, and you got a dashboard lit up like a xmas tree.

Best bet to try a few BMW breakers. Partsgateway is always good or this, loads of BMW breakers. They had a colum on there recently off a 2007 model (revised) for £275 with pin attached.
 
This TIS page illustrates what the pin looks like and where it goes. It's referred to as special tool 32 3 180.
 
Received above as PM, my response follows, in case it helps anyone else.

Sorry no. Try searching tool suppliers? Enquire at a dealership?

If all else fails have a look at the column and see if you could deduce dimensions required for fabrication. May be just a matter of inserting a rod and bending it so it doesn't fall out.

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Additional thought. The only reason to use the locking pin to remove a defective column is it has a core value and is not simply binned. So though it can't be 'repaired' it must be able to be 'refurbished'. Some industrious mechanically gifted person would serve us well to tear into this thing and see what's what. Can the control module be swapped from a breaker's car? What's involved in changing the torque sensor? Exactly where is the temp sensor? Can it be changed out? Is it possible/worthwhile to install grease fittings on the gear case?

It's insane to have to change the whole thing out because a 10 quid sensor failed.
 
so I understand this is an old post, but we have a same issue and the OP - Omar - as many people on forums, never posted his resolution. I really hate this. People come on board for help. They ask and we help them. They find a solution and never bother to come back and summarize the solution so others can learn from it. Please lets not be the same guy.

So 2003 Z4 2.5l with 98k miles. The power steering is dead. Not a sticky steering, its dead. Like no power steering at all. We purchased a good , tested used unit from the junk yard. Had it installed. Same. No power steering. We did not change the steering column, just the motor with the control unit. Does it have to be "coded" to the car ? What else can be the issue ?

Thank you and I promise to report back once the issue is found.

ps. I did a lot of research, but its either a sticky steering, which needs to be greased or oiled , or same issue but never a solution reported back.
 
Hi Laszlo, you might have gone in at the deep end swapping out the motor and control unit before eliminating some basics.
Firstly complete EPS failure is nothing to do with sticky steering, greasing or adjusting the internal gears via the slip ring, so ignore all you have read about that.

The EPS will shut down automatically if a number of conditions are detected including low voltage and overheating. Make sure your battery is fully charged. You want an absolute minimum of 12.4 Volts with the engine off and around 13.7v - 14.5v with the engine at idle.

Did you have any fault codes present before you did the swap? this would give some clues.

Is the fuse good? (number 22 according to this thread but I know it can vary according to LHD/RHD markets and different models).

Have you checked that you are getting current to the motor connector? Wiring faults and with the connector itself have been reported before.

This is also worth a read to see what's actually going on inside the EPS column assembly and the angle sensor assembly in particular including the ribbon connector. https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=82880

... and yes a replacement control unit will need to be coded to your car.

Good luck and maybe introduce yourself on the newbies page and let us know how it goes :thumbsup:
 
See this thread as well.

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=121712&start=30

Mines with the Indy at the moment, will update the thread when hopefully the problem is fixed.
 
I am having this same problem.

Laszlo, why criticize people for not coming back to post their results when that is precisely what you did?

Anyway, I have a 2005 Z-4, and the power steering go out on certain days and works fine on other days. This would seem to be electrical to me rather than something mechanical in the steering unit. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
Hi there,

My name's CJ, really interesting reads I've just bought a 2010 Z4 from a dealer last month I've only had the car 2 weeks and 30 days because it's gone back twice with what seems to be the electronic steering failing they thought it was the module that connected the abs with the electric steering but having a discussion with the mechanic today it's the steering column. It would be really good to hear people's experiences of what happened and how they resolved it just for peace of mind.
 
Hi sorry I should have said the warning light was coming on with the! Then when I turned it off and turn it back on it would go but then come back more recently it's stayed on with no power steering whatsoever
 
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