How Do I Reset My Electric Power Steering? And Does It Really Help?

The power steering technology certainly has come a long way since it was first adopted by conventional production cars in the 1950s. With it, steering a vehicle came with a little effort no matter its size making driving less tedious than ever. The system also greatly improved steering response in autos, which made cars more maneuverable because of how quickly the driver can turn the steering wheel.

Electrical equipment problems highlights

• Level of urgency:low
• DIY inspection:possible
• DIY repairs:possible but complicated
• Can you drive?yes
• Price of repairs:$150 - $350
• Ifignored:problems may develop and escalate
• Ways to fix:diagnose and replace the broken parts, try resetting the affected units

About the EPS Technology

Before going further, here's a recap of what the electric power steering (EPS) does for your car to help you better understand the basic ins and outs of the system. This should immediately provide you with an idea of what you are up against if problems in the system occur.

Electric power steering (EPS) is a technology that assists drivers in steering vehicles by providing additional torque to the steering wheel. This extra force is generated by an electric motor, rather than the hydraulics typically used in traditional power steering systems. EPS can provide a number of benefits over conventional power steering, including improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.

While EPS has been available on some vehicles for several years, it is only now beginning to become more widely adopted due to its plethora of advantages.

How to Reset the Electric Power Steering

In a typical hydraulic power steering setup, your vehicle's warning light will normally let you know if your power steering fluid is low and that you need to top it off or there might be a leak in the system causing the fluid to drain fast. In an electrical power steering that does not require fluid to operate though, a straight-up reboot usually takes care of the problem.

There are two ways to do this:

1. Simple Restart

Resetting the EPS is simple enough. All you have to do to get the light to turn off and reset the system is stop and restart your engine. This should be the solution if the problem is merely a minor glitch in the system of your vehicle.

2. ECU Reset

A minor hiccup in the engine control unit (ECU) can also trigger various warning lights in your dashboard for no discernable reason at all. So, if the previous method does not cut it, try resetting the ECU instead.

Start by disconnecting the cables from your battery. Do remember to take out the negative (-) cable first because starting with the positive (+) cable can lead to battery arcing which can potentially damage your car.

Keep it in that state for a minimum of 15 minutes but no longer than 30 minutes. This method normally works in resetting the ECU of cars produced prior to 2005 but it may not work for newer ones with more advanced memory modules. Nevertheless, it's still worth a try. You may also use a jumper cable to bridge the negative and positive cables for two minutes to completely drain out the excess current and reset the system effectively.

Next, turn on the ignition but not to the point of running the engine. This should activate all the lights in your dashboard. Turn it off again, and this time, start your engine normally and leave your car idle for 15 minutes. If done right, your ECU will recalibrate after at least a hundred miles and remove any error in your dash.  

Other Common Causes of EPS Failure

If the problem persists even after applying the methods shown above, then it's time for you to take your diagnosis to the components affecting the EPS. In this case, you can use an OBDII scanner to pinpoint the root of the problem for quick analysis. However, if it does not yield any specific fault codes, proceed by checking your vehicle for the following issues:

1. Wiring Issues

There are several possible causes of wiring problems that can trigger the EPS error in your dashboard. One possibility is that there is a break or loose connection in one of the wires leading to or from the EPS control unit. Another source of the problem is corrosion in the harness.

If you suspect that there may be a problem with the wiring, it is best to have it checked by a qualified mechanic or auto electrician. They will be able to diagnose the problem and make any necessary repairs. In some cases, it may be necessary to replace the wiring harness.

2. Blown Fuse

There might be a problem with the fuse itself. The fuse could be loose, damaged, or blown. If the problem is with the fuse, then replacing it with one that has the same amperage should fix the issue.

The fuse for the EPS is located in the engine compartment. It's a small, rectangular, black box with two connectors. The fuse should be aptly labeled as "EPS."

3. Steering Angle, Speed, and Torque Sensor Issues

An EPS error on your dashboard can also mean problems with one of your vehicle's sensors. The sensors that have a direct impact on the system are the steering angle, speed, and torque sensors. If the problem is with any of the mentioned sensors, replacing the faulty sensor should fix the problem.

4. Damaged Rack and Pinion

The rack and pinion are steering components that help convert the rotational motion of the steering wheel into the linear motion needed to turn the wheels. It consists of a rod (the rack) that runs inside a hollow tube (the pinion). The ends of the rack are connected to the wheels, while the pinion is connected to the steering wheel.

If they are damaged, it can cause an EPS error in the dashboard. The most common cause of damage to the rack and pinion is frequently hitting a pothole. This can cause the components to become bent or misaligned, which will trigger the problem.

There are several possible solutions to this problem. If the damage is minor, the rack and pinion can be repaired and realigned. However, if the damage is more severe, the rack and pinion will need to be replaced. This will require a new steering rack and pinion to be installed. Additionally, any other parts that may have been damaged in the accident will also need to be replaced. These could include the tie rods, steering knuckles, or control arms.

Replacing a damaged rack and pinion is a fairly straightforward process. It is important to note though that it is a mechanical repair and should only be attempted by someone with experience working on cars.

5. EPS Control Module Malfunction

When there's a problem with the EPS module, it can trigger an error in the EPS system. This system is responsible for providing power steering assist to the driver. If there's a problem with the EPS module, it can cause the power steering to fail.

The possible solutions to this problem include replacing the EPS module or repairing it if it's possible. In some cases, irreparable damages may occur to the EPS module which would require a replacement.

6. EPS Motor Failure

One possible reason for an electric power steering (EPS) motor failure is a broken gear. When this happens, the EPS error message will appear on the dashboard. The broken gear can cause damage to other parts of the EPS system, including the wiring and fuses.

There are several possible solutions to this problem. One is to replace the broken gear with a new one. Another is to replace the entire EPS system with a new one. Yet another solution is to repair the damaged parts of the EPS system.

Replacing the broken gear with a new one may be the best solution, as it will prevent further damage to other parts of the EPS system. Replacing the entire EPS system may be necessary if the damage is too great. Repairing the damaged parts of the EPS system may be an option if the damage is not too severe.

Any of these solutions will require expert hands. You may need to take your car to a mechanic or dealership for assistance. Be sure to ask about the warranty on any new parts that you install.

In some cases, an EPS motor failure can be caused by a faulty wiring harness. If this is the case, you will need to replace the wiring harness. On the other hand, if the damage to the EPS system is too severe, you may need to replace the entire assembly.

7. ECU Fault

Lastly, you may be looking at a problem with the ECU itself. If simply restarting the engine or resetting the system by disconnecting the battery fails to do the job, then your car may be due for ECU flashing. However, if the ECU module shows signs of physical damage, it may be time to replace it.

Conclusion

If you have an EPS error in your dashboard and the simple solutions here don't work for you, it is important to get it checked out as soon as possible. Ignoring the problem could lead to more serious problems, such as complete loss of power steering. So, if you suspect there is an issue with your EPS system, don't delay in getting it checked out by a professional.