Hi I have fitted a new EPS unit from ACS power steering, the unit was a pain to fit but made easier using the walkthrough on here, everything went ok, apart from the clock spring fell to pieces but I have managed to put it all back together and everything on the steering wheel works, so my questions


1. would the clockspring cause the EPS light to come on?
2. My EPS light only comes on when reversing out of a tight space, i.e. a car parking space, what would cause this.
3. when I fitted the unit should the bolts (which are on the swivel part of the eps unit at the back near to where the steering rack connected) be even i.e. the unit exactly central to the two fixing points (bolt holes) if its not could this cause the EPS light to come on, could it be letting the EPS unit flex causing the sensors to think the EPS has gone?


TIA


Paul

1) EPS no but airbag yes. So this is not your problem.

2) are you sure? Try to turn the wheel left-right lock to lock fast. Stationary and idle.

3) the unit should flex a little no problem here.


You should check:
•ground cables etc
•alternator voltage

You may have an electrical problem.

cmosfxx said:

1) EPS no but airbag yes. So this is not your problem.

2) are you sure? Try to turn the wheel left-right lock to lock fast. Stationary and idle.

3) the unit should flex a little no problem here.


You should check:
•ground cables etc
•alternator voltage

You may have an electrical problem.

Click to expand...

Thanks, Ill have a check of the grounds tomorrow, the battery has good voltage ill check the voltage to the alternator tomorrow as well.

Ok, the unit I had fitted lasted 2 months, and has now failed, they have sent me another which I have fitted again, it seems fine but the light came on briefly yesterday, I was in a tight spot, parallel parked, and my wife used the city button, the eps came on for a second the steering went heavy then the light went off and steering returned to normal, what can be giving me this problem, The units are fitted correct, no wobble on the steering motor unit, all tight and snug, all leads checked, battery is good, Im at a loss as to what can be causing the problem now, its fine 99% of the time but pops up when moving the wheel whilst stationary getting out of a very tight space, only rarely though, but it shouldnt come on at all if all is well, any ideas??

Just to add to my problem, when I fitted the new eps motor I made sure my steering was in the centre, I would have applied the steering lock but couldnt for some reason? would this have any bearing on my problem? The car steers straight, the steering does not pull at any side, it drives great, apart from the intermittent eps light when parking in a v tight spot.

Did you ever check all the earth/ground points?

Also maybe try not using the city button for a couple of weeks, and see if you still get any issues

Hi, Yes checked all the earths/grounds with a multi meter, I will let my wife know about the city button, on the first replacement she did not use it at all, infact she had never used it, but with this new one I said she should try it as hopefully it will reduce wear on the 2nd replacement unit, I read a topic on here saying its advisable to use it and it automatically shuts off above 35mph. Ill get her to turn the city off and see what difference it makes.

Idle voltage ok? (~14v?) If you can monitor voltage when EPS fails

About the city mode, the funny thing is that on Grande Punto it's always that torque sensor that fails first (and only on early versions, later cars have a revised EPS)

I don't know a case that the motor failed first. Personaly I never use city mode because it makes steering way to light and I don't like it, but if you like it just use it always.

The above issues suggest a low voltage. Battery may be failing, or cables and connections may be high resistance. EPS is very current hungry. When manoeuvring power requirement is highest, and engine speed low, so low voltage problems will more likely show then.

How old is the battery?

Not sure on age of the battery, I will check the battery again tonight, and see if it drops when operating the steering, Maybe it is dropping too low and causing the light to come on.

Thanks

PaulGPPunto8v said:

Not sure on age of the battery, I will check the battery again tonight, and see if it drops when operating the steering, Maybe it is dropping too low and causing the light to come on.

Thanks

Click to expand...

Ok, a bit more information, I have checked the grounds in the engine bay again, and one had a lot of surface rust on the face of the nut and the ring, that's now clean, the others were all rust free and seemed totally fine, the battery, it looks like the original one as its marked Lancia, I have checked the voltages again, at idle with the engine off its 12.72 volts, with engine on and at idle without any load its 14.07 volts, under load, lights on, wipers on and turning the steering wheel it drops to 13.62 volts, do these voltages indicate weak battery or are they normal?
I have a bit more information off my wife, it seems the light comes on first thing in the morning when the car has been left over night, it has started doing it the last week or 2 since the weather has got colder and wetter, not sure if that has any significance.
I will test the voltage of the battery first thing in the morning after it has stood all night and put the figures here, also my wife only uses the car round turn for her cleaning business, so its mainly round turn small journeys with the odd 20 mile run most of the week, on weekends it does get used normally with mixed roads, speeds and distances.


Hopefully this information will help with a possible diagnosis.


Thanks


Paul

These voltages are good. Measure again with the EPS light on.

will do, it did not come on this morning so thats a good sign, if it comes back on ill post the readings on here, Fingers crossed it doesnt and it was all down to dirty/rusty ground

It seems my problem boiled down to Dirty battery connections and corroded earthing points, after cleaning the earths and battery terminals no more EPS light, my wife is one happy bunny, thanks for the all the help and advice, much appreciated.

Paul