Weird EPS issues

[Cassie-UK]

Dear all,

Took my 54 plate e85 for just a few miles down the road yesterday and when I went to reverse into a parking space the EPS stopped working, the steering warning light came on along with loads of other warning lights. The clock also reset. I noticed that while idling, if you raise both windows at the same time, the engine dips as though it loses power, though it continues to idle. Got the car back home and my husband took it around the block a few times but it happened again when he went to reverse. Very odd! Wondering if it could be the battery? Do you think it’s safe to drive it to a garage or would you have it towed?

Many thanks for any thoughts! I have done multiple searches on here and elsewhere to try to figure out what it could be and whether it’s safe.

 

[bigwinn]

Without seeing codes I’d say battery may be the root cause of your issues

 

[SonnyA85]

The power steering has a design flaw. The module was recalled in America but not elsewhere.

ECU testing remanufacture them with a lifetime warranty for a good price.

I have had 2 fail on me which is the only 2 I have owned so 100% failure rate from my experience but obviously I'm limited to owning just 2. Sounds like yours is about to fail completely.

They fixed the issue on the facelift cars.

 

[SonnyA85]

Without seeing codes I’d say battery may be the root cause of your issues

Surely the alternator and not the battery?

If it starts and it's only when the car is running and going into reverse?

I think it's most likely to be the module on the column

 

[bigwinn]

Without seeing codes I’d say battery may be the root cause of your issues

Surely the alternator and not the battery?

If it starts and it's only when the car is running and going into reverse?

I think it's most likely to be the module on the column

No

There are lots of documented cases where a poor battery will cause warning lights to pop up in a spurious manner

It may be isolated or an actual eps issue but first I’d check the age and amperage output of the battery

 

[SonnyA85]

Without seeing codes I’d say battery may be the root cause of your issues

Surely the alternator and not the battery?

If it starts and it's only when the car is running and going into reverse?

I think it's most likely to be the module on the column

No

There are lots of documented cases where a poor battery will cause warning lights to pop up in a spurious manner

It may be isolated or an actual eps issue but first I’d check the age and amperage output of the battery

Yeah I have had a lot of battery issues myself. But usually you can tell that's low because starting the engine and turning it over is laboured.

Mine is a 3 litre though maybe the smaller engines are okay on a battery which is knackered or running low

 

[SonnyA85]

If it's happening on reverse only sounds like alternator to me. Or it's a coincidence it's happening on reverse only and possibly battery.

Or it's a coincidence that it's failed and then worked again intermittently and sign that the module is about to fail.

Several things to check. Battery and alternator first. If the steering fails completely and doesn't come back then you know it's the module for sure.

 

[enuff_zed]

If it's happening on reverse only sounds like alternator to me. Or it's a coincidence it's happening on reverse only and possibly battery.

Or it's a coincidence that it's failed and then worked again intermittently and sign that the module is about to fail.

Several things to check. Battery and alternator first. If the steering fails completely and doesn't come back then you know it's the module for sure.

You do know the alternator doesn't run the other way when you select reverse?

From the previous experiences of everyone else on here, it has to be a battery check first.
That will soon tell you if it's an alternator problem too.

 

[SonnyA85]

If it's happening on reverse only sounds like alternator to me. Or it's a coincidence it's happening on reverse only and possibly battery.

Or it's a coincidence that it's failed and then worked again intermittently and sign that the module is about to fail.

Several things to check. Battery and alternator first. If the steering fails completely and doesn't come back then you know it's the module for sure.

You do know the alternator doesn't run the other way when you select reverse?

From the previous experiences of everyone else on here, it has to be a battery check first.
That will soon tell you if it's an alternator problem too.

Obviously.

I'm assuming that the rotor will be spinning at a lower frequency in reverse. Or it's just a complete coincidence it's conking out whilst reversing.

The battery shouldn't fail just whilst reversing but an alternator could drop output whilst reversing was my line of thinking.

Unless like I say the fact it's failed whilst reversing is coincidence and should be ignored for now.

 

[Zedebee]

The first and lowest cost thing you should do is make sure your battery terminal connections are tight. A momentary loss of connection while driving will cause those symptoms.

 

[Jas- USA]

I agree, check your battery 1st. Won't cost you anything to do this. Then move on to the alternator.

However, be aware that really wild electrical things also (just like a battery issue) happen with a failing ignition switch. Please read: https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/signs-of-a-failing-ignition-switch.358204/ afterwards, google BMW failing ignition switch for more info.

Yea, a failing ignition switch can cause really odd electrical issues which are sort of unexplainable.

 

[Cassie-UK]

Thank you for all your thoughts. What a great forum! Will definitely check the battery. Testing the alternator is probably a little over my skill limit! I’ll be sure to post back whatever I find out

 

[enuff_zed]

Thank you for all your thoughts. What a great forum! Will definitely check the battery. Testing the alternator is probably a little over my skill limit! I’ll be sure to post back whatever I find out

Test the voltage across the battery terminals. Should be around 12.5-ish
Then do the same test again with the engine running. Voltage should be up close to 14v
If it's much less it implies the alternator isn't sending enough charge to the battery.

 

[Cassie-UK]

Thank you for all your thoughts. What a great forum! Will definitely check the battery. Testing the alternator is probably a little over my skill limit! I’ll be sure to post back whatever I find out

Test the voltage across the battery terminals. Should be around 12.5-ish
Then do the same test again with the engine running. Voltage should be up close to 14v
If it's much less it implies the alternator isn't sending enough charge to the battery.

Brilliant, thank you!

 

[Cassie-UK]

Ok, this is a little embarrassing. Battery tested ok so took it to a garage who figured out that one of the battery terminals was loose and when you turned sharply, the battery shifted slightly causing it to cut out. That’s a new one for me! At least it’s a cheap fix this time.

 

[enuff_zed]

Ok, this is a little embarrassing. Battery tested ok so took it to a garage who figured out that one of the battery terminals was loose and when you turned sharply, the battery shifted slightly causing it to cut out. That’s a new one for me! At least it’s a cheap fix this time.

Excellent!
And well done you for having the confidence to come back and let us know.
Maybe you feel embarrassed but if one person reads this and saves themselves a fortune changing stuff then it was worth it.
Lesson learned for us all! Never assume: check the easy stuff first.

 

[Cassie-UK]

Ok, this is a little embarrassing. Battery tested ok so took it to a garage who figured out that one of the battery terminals was loose and when you turned sharply, the battery shifted slightly causing it to cut out. That’s a new one for me! At least it’s a cheap fix this time.

Excellent!
And well done you for having the confidence to come back and let us know.
Maybe you feel embarrassed but if one person reads this and saves themselves a fortune changing stuff then it was worth it.
Lesson learned for us all! Never assume: check the easy stuff first.

Thanks! I’m going to treat her with a full valet

 

[Roberltd2]

Happy days