Power Steering Assist Fault

[Joshw0000]

This happened a couple years ago and I just cut it off and started it again and it worked fine. It did it a couple days ago and was fine after turning it off and back on.

Last night it took 4 cranks to get it going. Initially I'd crank it, let it run through checks and it'd fail. When it finally came too, I crunk it and immediately started coasting, turning the wheel slightly and the power steering worked fine.

Anyone else have experience with this issue? Any suggestions? If it does go out is it OK to tow a SHO or should it be put on a roll back? I've heard of AWD cars having tranny issues when being towed.

Once the car is driving, I haven't had any issues with power steering so I believe it has something to do with how it's parked, perhaps a certain angle, incline/decline, etc since moving it allowed it to pass the checks.

I haven't found a lot online other than turning it off and back on. If anyone has any pro tips for things I could check/replace I'd appreciate it.

EDIT - Whatever the issue is it's gotten much worse. It's now sitting in the driveway while I drive my ol' truck. This morning it wouldn't even run through the checks. The fault came on instantly and no amount of shutting off / cranking could resolve it.



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[kryptto]

just throwing a hail Mary guess.... how is that battery?

 

[Joshw0000]

just throwing a hail Mary guess.... how is that battery?

I just checked it. 12.2 - 12.3V not running, and 14.98V running.

I bought it 11/21 so it's barely over 2 years old.

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[kryptto]

Power steering assist fault

For a rarely as i drive my 15’ just says steering fault every time now and i can barely get it to steer. No codes when i tried to clear them. Reflashed my ajp tune and it didnt make a change. What is the cause of this, also comes up with advance track fault? My 90 is so much fun that im...

shoforum.com

 

[Joshw0000]

Now I'm starting to think it is the battery or something going on with aux power. Using my tuner, I have to crank the car to check codes (which it's not showing any, but results this extremely fast as if it's not even checking). With the aux power on, it can't read DTC's.




So I turned off ignition check as it says and try to run the DTC's again and get an error.



My next check will be throwing a jump box on it (not running) to see if I can read codes or if it behaves differently in general.

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[kryptto]

If you shutoff the car and sync instead of staying on says it needs to conserve power and shut itself off, check that battery - get a nocco battery charger/maintainer. these cold temp like to f with the battery. 36 months - that is why I go with Costco Interstate battery, every 3 years get a partial refund and swap it out, they are 48 month batteries.

 

[Joshw0000]

If you shutoff the car and sync instead of staying on says it needs to conserve power and shut itself off, check that battery - get a nocco battery charger/maintainer. these cold temp like to f with the battery. 36 months - that is why I go with Costco Interstate battery, every 3 years get a partial refund and swap it out, they are 48 month batteries.

I'll check it with Sync off after work, thanks.

I'm near the East Coast so we're not quite so cold right now (56 degrees now) and it was in the garage (temp controlled for the dogs) last night so I don't think in my case it's temp related.

I got a Stanley Fatmax for Christmas and had never opened it. It's charging now so I can test it later to see if getting more juice helps.

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[kryptto]

I'll check it with Sync off after work, thanks.

I'm near the East Coast so we're not quite so cold right now (56 degrees now) and it was in the garage (temp controlled for the dogs) last night so I don't think in my case it's temp related.

I got a Stanley Fatmax for Christmas and had never opened it. It's charging now so I can test it later to see if getting more juice helps.

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I just jumped a neighbors car this AM - it was low 60's and my wifes Honda just replaced hers a few weeks back when we broke 40's. good luck

 

[Joshw0000]

I just jumped a neighbors car this AM - it was low 60's and my wifes Honda just replaced hers a few weeks back when we broke 40's. good luck

Thanks. I really hope it's just the battery. A couple hundred bucks vs $2-3K....yes please.

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[Bluezone]

Now I'm starting to think it is the battery or something going on with aux power. Using my tuner, I have to crank the car to check codes (which it's not showing any, but results this extremely fast as if it's not even checking). With the aux power on, it can't read DTC's.


View attachment 89612

So I turned off ignition check as it says and try to run the DTC's again and get an error.

View attachment 89613

My next check will be throwing a jump box on it (not running) to see if I can read codes or if it behaves differently in general.

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I lost my steering rack 2 years ago. I had all the same errors you have had, including the power problems. Wasn't a battery. It was a steering rack. The Bellows on one of the tie rods was leaking water into the steering unit. Water gets in, plus other stuff, and causes binding and overload. Check those boots out. Mine started showing up in cold or rainy weather. Just curious if this is when yours has been showing up

 

[Joshw0000]

I lost my steering rack 2 years ago. I had all the same errors you have had, including the power problems. Wasn't a battery. It was a steering rack. The Bellows on one of the tie rods was leaking water into the steering unit. Water gets in, plus other stuff, and causes binding and overload. Check those boots out. Mine started showing up in cold or rainy weather. Just curious if this is when yours has been showing up

Well the jump pack didn't help. I also tried unplugging the battery for 20 mins or so (ground) and it didn't even reset my stereo. I let the car heat to 195 and tried again but that didn't help.

I've crawled around the driveway a little bit and I can't tell any issues with the tie rods. To be honest, It's dark and I'm not getting a good view, it's all by feel. And I probably couldn't tell good from bad anyway.

Yea, we've had some pretty cold weather recently, down in the teens. And it rained for about 3 or 4 days straight a week or two ago. It's odd that the issue just happened this week when it's warmer and no rain.

Is it safe to tow this car or should I get a roll back to take it to a shop. I've thought about man handling the steering to my mechanic and honestly might just do that. He's 3 turns (~10 miles) out of my driveway.

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[Bluezone]

Yeah when the steering goes out it's not a pleasant thing. I don't know what to suggest about moving it. If anything happens, you're pretty liable if anyone else is involved.

 

[Texas Marauder]

Check the ground at the steering rack. Not likely problem in your case but, you never know.

 

[Joshw0000]

For all who have replaced their power steering, did you use Ford or aftermarket? I finally got a quote and aftermarket is about $500 cheaper. I'm still leaning towards Ford but if you guys think the Advance Auto part works just as well I may save some money.

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[kryptto]

For all who have replaced their power steering, did you use Ford or aftermarket? I finally got a quote and aftermarket is about $500 cheaper. I'm still leaning towards Ford but if you guys think the Advance Auto part works just as well I may save some money.

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I have no experience and hate to burn cash - however would suggest Ford - for my 2 cents

 

[haunter]

For all who have replaced their power steering, did you use Ford or aftermarket? I finally got a quote and aftermarket is about $500 cheaper. I'm still leaning towards Ford but if you guys think the Advance Auto part works just as well I may save some money.

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Did you end up doing this work yet?

 

[Joshw0000]

Did you end up doing this work yet?

Yep, ended up setting me back about $2500 out the door.

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[haunter]

DIY or shop?

 

[Joshw0000]

DIY or shop?

It was a shop. Not a stealership, but a local shop that specializes in Fords. They used an OEM Ford power steering. I could've gotten out cheaper with aftermarket.

I have a regular shop that I normally use maintenance stuff but he couldn't do it because the new power steering must be updated with data from the old one after the swap and he didn't have the equipment.

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[haunter]

thanks for the info!