Another steering issue...

[Capt John]

I took a 250 mile round trip ryde today. Got caught in the rain 3 times (this was a first for me). On the return home (mostly interstate driving) steering really spooked me. After 175 miles into the trip, when I turned the steering to the right it was like there was catch and didn't want to turn, then it would engage like nothing happened. The only problem with this is I was applying way too much force to get it to switch lanes and it changed lanes real fast. This did not happened when I turned the left. I stopped checked the relays, but they were not loose.
It kept doing it. So I changed the relay and this seemed to correct the problem. My 6000K service is coming up soon. I'm going to put the old relay back in and let the service mgr figure it out.

 

[dvmdf]

Did you have the DPS recall done?

 

[Capt John]

Did you have the DPS recall done?

Yes and I've put about 450 miles on it since the recall. I've never really had any steering issues before except very loose relays.

 

[bone crusher]

Did you have the DPS recall done?

Agreed...the DPS update corrects this...

 

[Recluze]

I have had this problem off and on for 30,000 miles.
1) changed the entire power steering unit
2) tightened ground under seat
3) change ps unit and gear position sensor
4) had software upgrade done.

The problem has 'disappeared' for thousand of miles to resurface later. I would advise pulling the ps fuse and driving without power steering when it happens. It is scary dangerous when it happens.

Mine has been good for 6,000 miles since #3. Since #4 I have a dead spot in my steering where nothing happens. After looking at it yesterday it seems to be coming from the PS unit again. This is not nearly as dangerous as the original problem so I will wait a while before taking it in yet again.

good luck

 

[sabunim5]

Randy,
What you are describing is what the software patch is supposed to correct. I would put that new relay in on the way to the dealer. Bring the old one with, but no sense taking a chance on a relay you suspect is bad. Checking the under seat ground sound like a good idea too. Of course to be truly safe you can follow Recluze's advice on pulling the fuse and going in with no power steering. I wish you luck. Good luck on a speedy and easy fix.
Steven

 

[FANG]

Randy,
What you are describing is what the software patch is supposed to correct. I would put that new relay in on the way to the dealer. Bring the old one with, but no sense taking a chance on a relay you suspect is bad. Checking the under seat ground sound like a good idea too. Of course to be truly safe you can follow Recluze's advice on pulling the fuse and going in with no power steering. I wish you luck. Good luck on a speedy and easy fix.
Steven

Randy - don't take a chance with the steering - get this checked out as soon as possible. Good Luck - Let me know what is going on.

 

[Capt John]

Randy,
What you are describing is what the software patch is supposed to correct. I would put that new relay in on the way to the dealer. Bring the old one with, but no sense taking a chance on a relay you suspect is bad. Checking the under seat ground sound like a good idea too. Of course to be truly safe you can follow Recluze's advice on pulling the fuse and going in with no power steering. I wish you luck. Good luck on a speedy and easy fix.
Steven

I finally got around to checking out the relay. I swapped the old relay out with the headlight relay. Guess what? No headlights! Put the $8 relay back in the headlight position and the original headlight relay in the "DPS" position and no more problems. Now I need to pick up a few more relays.

I'm positive it was just a bad relay, but what puzzles me the steering only "acted up" when turning to the right and only at speed. Sitting still everything was okay.

 

[trikester]

I finally got around to checking out the relay. I swapped the old relay out with the headlight relay. Guess what? No headlights! Put the $8 relay back in the headlight position and the original headlight relay in the "DPS" position and no more problems. Now I need to pick up a few more relays.

I'm positive it was just a bad relay, but what puzzles me the steering only "acted up" when turning to the right and only at speed. Sitting still everything was okay.

If I'm remembering right, the problem with the steering, that people posted before the recall, also only happened when turning to the right and at speed. Sounds like the same problem, maybe the recall doesn't really solve it.:dontknow:

 

[Capt John]

If I'm remembering right, the problem with the steering, that people posted before the recall, also only happened when turning to the right and at speed. Sounds like the same problem, maybe the recall doesn't really solve it.:dontknow:

I've never really had a steering issue before the recall fix, except for very loose relays because the fuse box cover was broken and allowed the relays to work loose. This is the 1st relay I have had go bad. It just so happened after the recall.

 

[FANG]

I've never really had a steering issue before the recall fix, except for very loose relays because the fuse box cover was broken and allowed the relays to work loose. This is the 1st relay I have had go bad. It just so happened after the recall.

Randy,

Trikster is right the problem you have described turned out to be an issue that took more than just relay fix. Get it checked out don't just chalk the problem up to a relay. Steering problem is one thing in a cage but open wheeled not something to mess with