It is not a secret that automotive manufacturers are under the gun these days to produce their vehicles more fuel efficient. One way they are reaching higher kilometres per litre is by eliminating accessory loads from the car’s engine. A big contributor to this accessory load is a hydraulic power steering pump. Show
Electrical power steering (EPS), is a result of eliminating the power steering pump and has radically changed the way we diagnose and repair power steering system. These systems first came on production with the Suzuki Cervo in 1988 and have since made their way into many other production vehicles across all automotive manufacturers. Nevertheless these systems have been around for more than 20 years it is important that we know how the system works in order to fix them right. An electric control unit (ECU), is like a brain, it senses many different electric power steering values and alerts a driver if something is functioning incorrectly. When the ECU is defective, the power steering system stops running normally and starts having issues with handling. Although ECU problems come in many forms. Further we will look at how to diagnose VW electric power steering rack. EPS Controller MS561 is here to help! To diagnose and repair ECU, EPS Controller MS561 and ODIS engineering diagnostic scanner are used. It means that the operations are not conducted in a car. Before diagnostics and repair of the control units, it is strongly recommended to take into account the differences in the software and electronic arrangement of the ECU. Take into account that electronic control units (ECUs) part numbers differ and their software version as well. These differences should be taken into account while the ECU firmware flashing. Firstly, the connected ECU is tested for existence of errors. All errors are divided into 3 groups: Errors that do not interfere with the ECU’s operation. There is no visual defection in operation of the EPS. These errors appear if there are no messages via the CAN bus or under short irregular cases. Errors that partly or entirely interfere with operation of the EPS. Such errors will be observed both in the car and laboratory environment. The reason is an open circuit in connection of the G269 sensor or its total failure. Errors occurring as a result of a failed / wrong ECU firmware flashing. They appear in consequence of abnormal operation at the software level. It is not always possible to eliminate the problem by subsequent firmware flashing, especially, if the firmware file is selected incorrectly. Most often, the signalize of a physical failure inside the ECU. In consequence of dirt or moisture ingress, bare terminals / buses provoke an internal short circuit to the body. The other common reason is an open circuit of the connecting jumpers inside of the unit. These errors do not always deleted with the function "delete errors", even after removal of the failure cause. In this regard, the ECU firmware flashing is needed. Thus, to get the job done and satisfy a customer, the proper repair is obligatory. Want to know how? Check the full diagnostic process of VW electric power steering. As the automotive industry is evolving, more vehicles are shifting from the traditional hydraulic power steering systems to electric power steering (EPS). This is not to be mistaken with the electro-hydraulic system; a hybrid of both systems, where a hydraulic pump is powered by an electric motor. So, how do EPS systems work? Here is a little summary. Different sensors detect the input from the driver (torque, speed, position) and all this information is sent to the electric control unit (ECU), which calculates the amount of assistive torque needed and applies it via the electric motor (steering assistance motor). For more detailed information on how it works, check out our article – Electric Power Steering Guide. When it comes to diagnosing issues with EPS systems, the process is very much different than how it is with hydraulic systems. Fully electric systems mean you will be dealing with data, rather than power steering fluid or damaged pumps. Keep reading to find out how you diagnose EPS issues. Basic EPS DiagnosticsMost electric power steering systems are able to self-diagnose any faults, with the use of diagnostic trouble codes (DTC). In the EPS system, the codes would be located within the ECU and when the time came for finding the root cause of the problem, a specialised scan tool would be used to find and decipher all the DTC’s. Unfortunately, a DTC is sometimes only the beginning of the diagnosis journey, it usually takes expert electrical diagnostic knowledge to fully figure out the issue. Note: Sometimes a DTC is accompanied with a steering warning light. An example of the type of DTC’s you may encounter, are:
On occasions, diagnostic trouble codes can trigger fail-safe strategies in the EPS system. To elaborate, a fail-safe strategy is developed to switch the EPS system to a mode that will protect the driver and the passengers, as well as the EPS system. For example, if any sensors or other important mechanisms in the EPS system malfunctioned, the self-diagnostics would discover the issue, form a DTC for it and then switch off power-assist, leaving just manual steering. Something else that will either decrease or turn off power-assist, is if the ECU detects that the electric motor is repeatedly providing a very large amount of torque, causing it to heat up excessively. To elaborate, if you are driving at a very slow speed or are idle, and you are continuously turning the steering wheel left or right, it’s likely the motor will overheat. To prevent this, the ECU will reduce the electric current in the motor and restrict power-assist from being applied. Tips For Diagnosing EPS IssuesThe main indication you’ll get if there is a malfunction with the electric power steering system is that the EPS light will illuminate on the dashboard. Specifically, the warning light will come on when the EPS system is off. This is when the scan of the vehicle’s diagnostic trouble codes will need to be carried out to expand your knowledge on where the issue lies. Some general issues that you may have with EPS systems are:
Even though there are no power steering pumps or hoses to worry about, there are other components in the electric power steering system that could malfunction. If a fault does occur in the system, they may exhibit some problems: Steering Wheel Difficult To TurnIf turning your steering wheel to either side becomes hard, you should inspect:
Uneven Left-Right Power Steering AssistIf there seems to be an imbalance in the steering, you should inspect the:
Sounds In The Steering WheelInspect:
Note: If the noise specifically sounds like squeaking, you should check the electric motor. When Driving, The Amount Of Assistive Torque Doesn’t DecreaseFrom when you are stationary to when you begin driving, the assisted torque will differ based on wheel speed and steering angle. So if the amount doesn’t decrease when you start driving, you should inspect the:
Electric Power Steering Specialist Near MeAre you struggling with electric power steering issues? If so, you should book your vehicle in with us, at Power Steering Services. Whether it’s your electric power steering pump or your electric steering rack that is playing up, we can rebuild or replace them for a large variety of makes and models. In order to meet and exceed all OEM specifications, any EPS components we install in your car has been thoroughly tested under all driving conditions and we provide a lifetime warranty for each installed unit! Contact us today, either by filling in our easy online form or giving us a call on 0208 853 3343. Can you fix electric power steering problems?This problem can be fixed on your own, but if you're not sure how to fix electric power steering problems, take it to a certified mechanic.
What causes electric power steering failure?Today's electronic power steering systems may fail due to issues with the mounted electric motor. In particular, excessive heat on the motor is likely to cause the failure modes. Infiltration of the system environment by water, dirt, or other contaminants will also likely lead to EPS failure.
How do I reset my electric power steering?All you need to do is turn off your engine, then restart it so the light can reset. In most cases, it should come back on, and this only indicates that it may have thought it suspected a problem due to a mistake in the computer system.
How much does it cost to fix electronic power steering?The average cost for power steering control module replacement is between $876 and $906. Labor costs are estimated between $116 and $146 while parts are priced at $760. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location.
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How do you fix electric power steering
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