UPDATED - Torque Sensor issues - Garage wants to replace steering rack? UPDATED

[noz85]

This issue has been giving us problems all year and I have commented on various steering related posts without getting anywhere.

The car has a private warranty lasting till July next year. I have already seen that the car is chucking out 63ED code.

EPS steering torque sensor

Are there torque sensors on the steering rack? They have said it could be a £3000 job which is the top limit of the warranty cover, kf the part is sourced from BMW. What's the point if they are going at the wrong part? I thought the sensors were found only inside the column assembly and connected to the EPS control unit directly. Measuring the input torque of the steering wheel.

The EPS only fails and shuts down when steered almost to full left lock. The same every time. Never upon start up or any other time, but I didn't think there was any electronic components on the rack and that the rack is purely mechanical.

I haven't yet spoken to the technician nor have ai seen the diagnostic output/report. I have just been told "new rack". So I will have to quiz them tomorrow as to how they have come to this idea.

 

[RobbiZ4]

Update 1:
OMG, you've already posted over a dozen similar posts across the forum before you try again here:
Why not keeping it in a single thread?

The EPS only fails and shuts down when steered almost to full left lock. The same every time. Never upon start up or any other time, but I didn't think there was any electronic components on the rack and that the rack is purely mechanical.

E85 or E89?
Update 2:

Another e89 (2016) 70k miles with a steering fault. It only seems to happen at parking speeds going to full left lock or thereabouts. The PAS cuts off with an amber warning on the dash, it always clears when you turn off and start the car again. Does this sound familiar to anyone who has had to have an ECU recon? Or anyone who was lucky enough to get away with a new battery?
[..]

Ok, found it out by myself.




For a better understanding of the E85 problems just switch over to the German ZRoadster Forum:

Translated by Google:
https://www-zroadster-com.translate.goog/forum/threads/ausfall-der-servolenkung.98027/page-12?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Native:
https://www-zroadster-com.translate.goog/forum/threads/ausfall-der-servolenkung.98027/page-12?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp


That seems to describe exactly your symptoms:
https://www-zroadster-com.translate.goog/forum/threads/ausfall-der-servolenkung.98027/page-11?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp#post-3597230

 

[noz85]

I did say I have made lots of posts! I am not sure if the E89 and E85 use the same steering components

 

[enuff_zed]

I did say I have made lots of posts! I am not sure if the E89 and E85 use the same steering components

I'm not certain either.
I only have experience with E85, but if it were one of those I could tell you the torque sensor is definitely in the column. About £300 for a secondhand one and maybe 2 hours to replace it.
Not much use to you I know, but if you find out they are similar it gives you an idea.

 

[noz85]

Thanks

 

[RobbiZ4]

I did say I have made lots of posts!

OK, accepted.

I am not sure if the E89 and E85 use the same steering components

Not exactly. But the technical details in the German forum are interesting to read.

 

[noz85]

Thank you. I will have a good look through it.

 

[noz85]

Just thought I'd update this post as so many never have an outcome.

The wife's Z4 (e89 2016) was having a weird left lock PAS failure. Long story short, the German car specialist I used identified the issue being down to a torque sensor on the steering rack, and not within the column. They suggested that the rack was replaced along with both left and right rack ends to the tune of £2835.

I was not 100% sure that this would rectify the issue, but the work was completed and the issue has now resolved.

I had to form out the £2835 in full, but luckily (I don't often get to say that) the 3 year additional warranty that my wife bought at the time of purchasing the car paid out to cover the diagnosis of the fault and the replacement rack, bought new from Bowker BMW Blackburn. They did not agree to the rack ends. So in the end they paid out £2605. So we got a brand new rack and ends installed for £230.

I can definitely tell that it has a new rack installed. The steering is really tight. The old one had covered 78,000 miles.

(Massive thanks to AutoGuard Warranties)

 

[B21]

Just thought I'd update this post as so many never have an outcome.

The wife's Z4 (e89 2016) was having a weird left lock PAS failure. Long story short, the German car specialist I used identified the issue being down to a torque sensor on the steering rack, and not within the column. They suggested that the rack was replaced along with both left and right rack ends to the tune of £2835.

I was not 100% sure that this would rectify the issue, but the work was completed and the issue has now resolved.

I had to form out the £2835 in full, but luckily (I don't often get to say that) the 3 year additional warranty that my wife bought at the time of purchasing the car paid out to cover the diagnosis of the fault and the replacement rack, bought new from Bowker BMW Blackburn. They did not agree to the rack ends. So in the end they paid out £2605. So we got a brand new rack and ends installed for £230.

I can definitely tell that it has a new rack installed. The steering is really tight. The old one had covered 78,000 miles.

(Massive thanks to AutoGuard Warranties)

Thnx for the update..lucky you with a warranty that paid out..

 

[noz85]

Just thought I'd update this post as so many never have an outcome.

The wife's Z4 (e89 2016) was having a weird left lock PAS failure. Long story short, the German car specialist I used identified the issue being down to a torque sensor on the steering rack, and not within the column. They suggested that the rack was replaced along with both left and right rack ends to the tune of £2835.

I was not 100% sure that this would rectify the issue, but the work was completed and the issue has now resolved.

I had to form out the £2835 in full, but luckily (I don't often get to say that) the 3 year additional warranty that my wife bought at the time of purchasing the car paid out to cover the diagnosis of the fault and the replacement rack, bought new from Bowker BMW Blackburn. They did not agree to the rack ends. So in the end they paid out £2605. So we got a brand new rack and ends installed for £230.

I can definitely tell that it has a new rack installed. The steering is really tight. The old one had covered 78,000 miles.

(Massive thanks to AutoGuard Warranties)

Thnx for the update..lucky you with a warranty that paid out..

VERY lucky. Not like me :rofl: