Before I go any further, I would
recommend you drop by your local dealer and have them scan the Steering
Module to see why the light is on. This should only take 5-10 minutes, and you should know exactly what's going on after the scan. Here is some background on the Electro Mechanical Power Steering Assists Warning Lamp, as well as a few suggested solutions:
The warning lamp can be found in the display unit of the dash panel insert. It serves as a means of displaying malfunctions or disturbances in the electro-mechanical power steering system. When the ignition is switched on, the warning lamp will light up red as part of the self-test procedure carried out by the electro-mechanical power steering system.
The warning lamp lights up in two colours if functional faults are detected. If it lights up yellow, the warning is of a lower priority. If the warning lamp lights up red, advice should be sought immediately from a workshop. If the warning lamp lights up red, it will be accompanied at the same time by an acoustic warning signal (three repetitions).
Once the power steering control unit receives a signal, indicating that all systems are working correctly, the warning lamp will go out. This self-test lasts for approx. two seconds. When the engine is started, the warning lamp will go out immediately.
Possible causes of the Power Steering Assist Warning Lamp:
Battery Voltage Low: The steering system can detect and react to low voltage situations. If battery voltage drops below 9 volts, power steering assistance will be reduced until shutdown and the warning lamp will light up red. In the case of brief voltage drops below 9 volts, the warning lamp will light up yellow.
Steering Angle Sender Failure: In the event of signal failure, an emergency running program is started. The missing signal is replaced by a substitute figure. Power steering assistance remains intact. Warning lamp K161 will light up to indicate the fault.
Steering Moment Sender: In the event of failure of the steering moment sender, the steering gear must be renewed. If a fault is detected, the power steering assistance is shut down. This shut down is a soft and gradual process, rather than sudden. To achieve a soft and gradual shutdown, a substitute steering force signal is calculated in the control unit from the steering and rotor angle of the electric motor. Faults are indicated by warning lamp K161.
Rotor Speed Sender: In the event of failure of the sensor, the steering angle speed is used as a substitute figure. Power steering assistance is shutdown safely. This avoids sudden loss of power steering assistance, caused by failure of the sensor. Faults are indicated by warning lamp K161 lighting up red.
Road Speed: The signal for the road speed is supplied by the ABS control unit. In the event of failure of the road speed signal, an emergency running program is started. The driver has full power steering assistance but there is no servotronic function. The fault is shown by warning lamp K161 lighting up yellow.
Engine Speed Sender: In the event of failure of the engine speed sender, the steering is actuated via terminal 15. The fault is not shown by warning lamp K161.
Electro-Mechanical Power Steering Motor: An advantage of the asynchronous motor is that the motor can be moved by the steering gear even in a state of no voltage. This means that, in the event of failure of the motor and thereby loss of power steering assistance, the steering can still be operated by applying a slightly greater amount of force. Even in the event of a short circuit, the motor will not become blocked. Faults are indicated by warning lamp K161 lighting up red.
Power Steering Control Unit: Integrated in the control unit is a temperature sensor, which is used to measure the temperature of the steering system. If the temperature rises above 100° C, power steering assistance is reduced gradually. If the power steering is below a figure of 60%, the electro-mechanical power steering warning lamp K161 will light up yellow and an entry is made in the fault memory.
ESP deals with wheel slippage, so it takes measures from the wheel speed
sensor. When wheel slip is sensed, it closes the throttle automatically.
With ESP light and yellow steering light, the problem is most likely a steering angle sensor, but the ASR light also being on could mean you have a problem with your ABS brake system. In this case, the problem could be as simple as the Road Speed Sensor.
Yellow means there is an issue with the system and it will run at
reduced voltage when it can but you will still have assist. Red means
there is a serious issue were the system can not give you assist and you
should not attempt to drive it like this.
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It could or could have electric power sterring , look up under the dash below the steering wheel an see if it has a electric motor on the steering column .
Power Steering System Description and Operation (with EPS)
The Electric Power Steering (EPS) system reduces the amount of effort needed to steer the vehicle. The system uses the power steering control module (PSCM), torque sensor, power steering motor rotational sensor, power steering motor, discrete battery voltage supply circuit, and the GMLAN serial data circuit to perform the system functions. The PSCM and power steering motor are each serviced separately from the steering column assembly. However, the motor rotational sensor is serviced as part of the power steering motor, and the torque sensor is serviced as part of the steering column assembly. The PSCM also monitors vehicle speed from the engine control module (ECM) via the GMLAN serial data circuit. At low speeds more assist is provided for easy turning during parking maneuvers. At higher speeds less assist is provided for improved road feel and directional stability.
some manufacturers include a variable type of power assist system to reduce the power steering affect at speed to make the steering heavier for better control, so check it out with your service dealer or specialist steering professional shop
Having said that, it can be heavy from incorrect wheel alignment with excessive castor, or failed strut bearing at the top so again check with a suspension specialist shop
It could be a problem with the steering and pump not producing enough pressure at low speeds sop a change of drive pulley may be the answer
Electronic power steering . Do you know anything about automotive electronic's ? Electronic power steering control module , sensor inputs an output control ? DTC'S - diagnostic trouble codes . Electrical testing ? Do you have a professional type scan tool to check input an output data , codes ?
Power Steering System Description and Operation (Non-Turbo)
The electric power steering (EPS) system reduces the amount of effort needed to steer the vehicle. The system uses the body control module (BCM), power steering control module (PSCM), torque sensor, discrete battery voltage supply circuit, EPS motor, serial data bus, and the instrument panel cluster (IPC) message center to perform the system functions. The PSCM, torque sensor, not the EPS motor are serviced separately from each other or from the steering column. Any EPS components diagnosed to be malfunctioning requires replacement of the steering column assembly, also known as the EPS assembly.
Torque Sensor
The PSCM uses a torque sensor as it's main input for determining the amount of steering assist. The steering column has an input shaft, from the steering wheel to the torque sensor, and an output shaft, from the torque sensor to the steering shaft coupler. The input and output shafts are separated by a torsion bar, where the torque sensor is located. The sensor consists of a compensation coil, detecting coil and 3 detecting rings. These detecting rings have toothed edges that face each other. Detecting ring 1 is fixed to the output shaft, detecting rings 2 and 3 are fixed top the input shaft. The detecting coil is positioned around the toothed edges of detecting rings 1 and 2. As torque is applied to the steering column shaft the alignment of the teeth between detecting rings 1 and 2 changes, which causes the detecting coil signal voltage to change. The PSCM recognizes this change in signal voltage as steering column shaft torque. The compensation coil is used to compensate for changes in electrical circuit impedance due to circuit temperature changes from the electrical current and voltage levels as well as ambient temperatures for accurate torque detection.
EPS Motor
The EPS motor is a 12-volt brushed DC reversible motor with a 61-amp rating. The motor assists steering through a worm shaft and reduction gear located in the steering column housing.
Power Steering Control Module (PSCM)
The PSCM uses a combination of torque sensor inputs, vehicle speed, calculated system temperature and the steering calibration to determine the amount of steering assist. When the steering wheel is turned, the PSCM uses signal voltage from the torque sensor to detect the amount of torque being applied to the steering column shaft and the amount of current to command to the EPS motor. The PSCM receives serial data from the engine control module (ECM) to determine vehicle speed. At low speeds more assist is provided for easy turning during parking maneuvers. At high speeds, less assist is provided for improved road feel and directional stability. The PSCM nor the EPS motor are designed to handle 61 amps continuously. The PSCM will go into overload protection mode to avoid system thermal damage. In this mode the PSCM will limit the amount of current commanded to the EPS motor which reduces steering assist levels. The PSCM also chooses which steering calibration to use when the ignition is turned ON, based on the production map number stored in the BCM. The PSCM contains all 8 of the steering calibrations which are different in relation to the vehicles RPO's. The PSCM has the ability to detect malfunctions within the EPS system. Any malfunction detected will cause the IPC message center to display PWR STR (or Power Steering) warning message.
DTC C0000
DTC C0176
DTC C0460
DTC C0475 (with LNF)
DTC C0475 (without LNF)
DTC C0545 (without LNF)
DTC C0545 (with LNF)
DTC C0561
DTC C056D
DTC C056E
DTC C0845
Your best bet ,take it to a qualified repair shop .
take it back in for a steering module check
the hyundai I 30 elantra has a recall ( 2015) for loss of power steering due to a loss of steering assistance from an electrical power steering fault
There is a control module that applies full assistance at low speeds , parking or cornering but reduces the assistance effort at speeds where assistance is not really required
from your description, it indicates that the control module is not functioning correctly and so you are advised to take it back in for a recall check or a warranty check on the system
Recall Number
10V374000
Recall Date
08/12/2010
Component
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Summary
MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 MAZDA3 AND MAZDA5 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2, 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2008. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.
Consequence
POWER STEERING ASSIST IS SUDDENLY LOST REDUCING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AS TYPICALLY EXPECTED, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
What Owners Should Do
MAZDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-222-5500.
Hmm, Your vehicle does not have a typical hydraulic power steering system, instead it has a electric actuator that assists the steering.
Get your vehicle (VAG-COM) scan for codes and post the VW fault codes or do a forum search once you have the fault codes.
You may possibly see the following codes:
01309 - Power Steering Control Module (J500)
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent
The steering light will be only two colors, yellow or red (in your case yellow):
Yellow means there is an issue with the system and it will run at reduced voltage when it can but you will still have assist.
Red means there is a serious issue were the system can not give you assist and you should not attempt to drive it like this.
The yellow light can be cause by many things, but most common is a low battery. When the battery voltage drops below 11.7v or so, the system stores a DTC and illuminates the icon to inform you there is an issue with the system and it may work at reduced assist. Since this system is so heavily dependent on a good charging system and battery.
Again I suggest drop by your local dealer and have them scan the Steering Module to see why the light is on.
SPSS or Speed Sensitive Power Steering warning light. Not something you can fix unless you know how to pull a steering column
out and have a scan tool to reset the light once the sensor is replaced.
The sensor itself is expensive ( over $200 )
You might have something wrong with your power steering. Could mean low power steering fluid if you haven't check it lately. Bad sensor like what happen to my car or things wrong with your power steering pump,control arms
The only thing that happens with a bad sensor is that you have full time power assist.
Speed Sensitive Steering reduces the amount of power assist at hwy speeds so as to give the driver better "road feel".
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Variable-assist power steering: A power steering system that uses valves and speed sensors to vary the amount of steering assist according to engine or road speed. At slow speeds more steering assist is delivered and steering the wheels is easier; necessary for parking, etc.. At higher speeds, steering assist is reduced and more steering effort is required to steer the car, giving the driver greater feel of the road. Also known as Speed-sensitive power steering.
Loss of current to the magnetic coils would cause a loss of power assist at low speed. Coil resistance can be checked with an ohmmeter, and should read about two ohms. An infinite (open) reading indicates a bad coil (requires replacing the rack since the coils are not serviceable). Checking for shorts between both sides of the coil assembly and rack housing is also recommended.
THIS IS A DEALERSHIP FIX ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IS CONTROLLED BY POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE.IT CONTROL BY INFORMATION SENSORS LIKE TORQUE SENSORS IN STEERING WHEELAND VECHICLE SPEED SENSOR IN WHICH SPEED WILL AID IN STEERING.YOU GO 10 MILES AN HOUR YOU WILL RECEIVE FULL POWER ASSIST.YOU GO 25 MILE HOUR POWER ASSIST REDUCED.THIS STEERING SYSTEM HAS TO BE HOOKED UP ON DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT AT DEALERSHIP YOU CANT FIX AT HOME.YOUR OWNERS MANUAL IN GLOVE BOX HAS ALL FUSE AND RELAYS LOCATIONS.
These are very good cars and very simple steering systems. The power steering pump needs to be inspected. They use bushings to aide in holding these inplace. If there is an oil leak, the bushings become soft and will not allow the belt to remain tight thus causing a slip and reduce power function. Let me know what you find and if you need further assistance.
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