Steering Wheel Locked Up

[lessrbass]

Hi guys, I have a 2010 sho, got it used back in March. I love it. Today I had my first scare with it. I was leaving a restaurant and it would start, go into reverse, but the steering wheel would not turn at all. It was straight on, not cranked one way or the other. I could put it in reverse, back up, put it in drive and go back into my parking spot. I was able to fix it by unhooking the battery and doing sort of a hard reset I guess. Does anyone know what could have caused this? Thanks

 

[Dave]

IDK but that's kind of scary. At least it happened while you were parked. Sounds like maybe part of the anti-theft equipment?

 

[SHOdded]

Do you know if the battery is original or fresh? All kinds of malfunctions crop up nowadays due to battery weakness.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Check the "eye" on the battery... I was having issues with my Flex last summer and a new battery fixed all...

 

[rubydist]

I have never experienced that on a pushbutton-start vehicle but I wonder if they have the possibility to lock up due to side pressure like the 'regular' key-start vehicles do - in other words, does wiggling the steering wheel side to side free it up?

 

[MNRubyRed2013]

Check the "eye" on the battery... I was having issues with my Flex last summer and a new battery fixed all...

I agree with Bob. Check the battery, if nothing else go to an AutoZone or similar parts store and have them check it. I have never had issues like this on my SHO, but have had similar problems with my 02 Corvette and a new battery fixed them.

 

[Dave]

I have never experienced that on a pushbutton-start vehicle but I wonder if they have the possibility to lock up due to side pressure like the 'regular' key-start vehicles do - in other words, does wiggling the steering wheel side to side free it up?

This is a good possibility. If the wheel locks with any pressure on it (turning) you may have to relieve the pressure to unlock it. And/or, check the battery.

 

[SHOrod]

Since the power steering is electric rather than hydraulic, I too suspect that a new battery may fix it. It seems like 3 years is kind of the tops for a new battery in a new car these days.

You may want to carefully inspect the electrical connectors at the steering rack. When the electric assist fails, it is really difficult to steer.

-Rod

 

[lessrbass]

Had the battery checked today, its fine. Any other ideas besides taking it to a dealer? Thanks for all the quick responses.

 

[Dave]

Has it happened again since that one time in the parking lot?

 

[lessrbass]

Today was the first time I've driven it since it happened. I was afraid of being stuck somewhere. Think for now I'll carry a wrench with me to unhook the battery and pray it doesn't happen while driving until I can figure it out.

 

[SHOdded]

I'd still say a bad battery, or a battery slowly going bad (while testing ok/in-range) is the problem. The fact that unhooking the battery resolved the condition is a BIG clue. Replace it, better safe than sorry.

 

[lessrbass]

And now here I am stuck at work with this problem. Unhooking the battery did not fix it this time. Getting it towed home.

 

[Dave]

That's a bummer. I'm still thinking it may have something to do with the anti-theft.

 

[sperold]

That is an unhappy ending.
That steering system is new enough that not many people understand it.
In older cars, you cannot get the transmission out of park until you put your foot on the brake. There is a complicated system of electrical / mechanical parts that looks after that.
I can imagine that the steering may have a fail-safe system like that, in which case try having your foot on the brake pedal all through the start up sequence.
My older Mustang needs this little remedy to get out of park, and in the winter, it is vital.

 

[lessrbass]

Going to pick up a new battery now, I'll let you guys know if that fixes it. Thanks for the help so far.

 

[lessrbass]

new battery did not fix it. I'm going to call the dealer and see if they'll look at it.

 

[sperold]

Do not trade in your so-called old battery and consider locating one in the trunk. With all the talk about problems when batteries get low in charge, it might not hurt to have a double system.
Just a thought for the future. It does not solve this problem, but it may be handy later.

And ask if there is a hydraulic (brake fluid) or electrical (brake lights) switch involved in the steering system start-up.

 

[nynd]

Kind of puzzling as with push button start (which I assume you have), there is no key interlock on the wheel. Meaning, you should be able to move the steering wheel from left to right with no issue (although without power, it will be hard). As well, the SHO has the electric steering not hydraulic so if you had a fault you should see an error message in the display.

The EPS system has diagnostic checks that continuously monitor the EPS system to ensure proper operation. When a system error is detected, the following message SERVICE POWER STEERING, SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW or POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT may
display in the message center, refer to the Message center in the Instrument Cluster chapter for more information. WARNING: The EPS system has diagnostics

Only other thing that comes to mind is you may want to check the connector on the Steering drive (make sure its fully seated) and also check the steering knuckle (if you bend down in the interior and look down near the accel and brake you'll see the steering wheel connection going through the firewall. Just make sure nothing is binding and that it's clear.

 

[lessrbass]

Dealer called today and said the entire steering rack is locked up, no matter what they do they can't get it to free up. They are replacing the whole thing.