Steering wheel shakes, light came on power steering assist failure 2010 Ford Escape
steering wheel shakes lightly while idling and driving. no warning lights. power steering is fine i have no problems steering just the shaking. Warning light came on one time stating power steering assist failure. Have not seen it again. There was a recall for my year escape for the failure but not my VIN#. Write-up said more vehicles could be involved later on. Do you think the shaking is related to this and if so, how do i get Ford to cover this under a recall as this is a dangerous, expensive defective parts issue? side note: i did have spike tires put on for winter driving – cant remember
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there – this behavior, sometimes called "phantom steering shake" is often due to a steering torque sensor in the steering column. This device sense how much effort is being put into the steering wheel to make a turn. This determines how much "power assist" the electronic steering adds to your own effort to turn the steering wheel. If you are getting the "shake" while idling and still, this can be the beginnings of failure of this sensor. I would first go back to Ford to discuss the Recall (#14V284000), because this appears to be precisely the problem you are having. Escalate to Ford Customer Service. If this is unsuccessful, I recommend a steering wheel shakes inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, confirm this diagnosis, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Electrical power steering systems use no fluid, so a top off is not an issue when the warning light comes on. In most cases, a simple technical glitch in the computer system may be the culprit, so a simple reboot is in order. All you need to do is turn off your engine, then restart it so the light can reset.
Common reasons for this to happen: The wheels are out of balance or loose. Both loose lugs nut or unbalanced wheels can cause the steering wheel to vibrate, usually becoming noticeable at a certain speed. The shaky steering will typically not be noticeable 5 mph below that speed or 5 mph above that speed.
Bad Bearings — Friction from bad bearings or inadequate lubrication can cause a shaky steering wheel. If bearings are the cause, you`ll notice that the shaking only occurs as you turn the wheel. To solve this problem, you can oil the bearings, or schedule a service appointment to replace them if there`s damage.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input.
Today`s electronic power steering systems may fail due to issues with the mounted electric motor. In particular, excessive heat on the motor is likely to cause the failure modes. Infiltration of the system environment by water, dirt, or other contaminants will also likely lead to EPS failure.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input.
Tires out of Balance
This is the most obvious and the most common reason that you might experience a shaking steering wheel. If your tires are out of alignment or out of balance, they may send shakes through your vehicle and to the steering wheel.
Consistently shaking steering wheel when idling
Many don`t associate this as a symptom linked with power steering problems, primarily because the driver isn`t steering at that point. On-going, consistent shaking may be linked with other areas as well, such as a warped rotor or a problem with the engine mount.
The fuse panel is located under the instrument panel to the left of the steering column.
Electronic failure is when the electrical systems keeping the power steering running stop functioning. This type of failure can be caused by a fuse issue, so you can easily check the fuse box to see if one of the fuses needs replacing.
This is a serious battery problem if the battery is now swollen and has no power. There has been an obviously internal fault. This will cause the vehicle to power down and the EPS light to come on as well. The EPS light is the warning indicator for the electric power steering.
Ford has issued a recall for 1.1 million vehicles due to a defect which can cause the vehicles to suddenly lose power steering. According to the auto maker, faulty sensors and defective electrical connections within the steering column could result in the loss of electric power steering assist while driving.
The Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) is the interface between the steering wheel and the steering column necessary to transfer the driver`s input rotation. It integrates clock springs, steering angle sensors, power tilt/telescope column controls, pedal position controls, and other simple and complex switches.
The most common reasons for free play in the steering are looseness in the steering gear itself or looseness in one or more of the steering linkage sockets. Steering box or rack and pinion that is connected to the steering wheel by the steering column.
This problem can be fixed on your own, but if you`re not sure how to fix electric power steering problems, take it to a certified mechanic.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Steering wheel shakes, light came on power steering assist failure 2010 Ford Escape
ANSWER : Hi there – this behavior, sometimes called "phantom steering shake" is often due to a steering torque sensor in the steering column. This device sense how much effort is being put into the steering wheel to make a turn. This determines how much "power assist" the electronic steering adds to your own effort to turn the steering wheel. If you are getting the "shake" while idling and still, this can be the beginnings of failure of this sensor. I would first go back to Ford to discuss the Recall (#14V284000), because this appears to be precisely the problem you are having. Escalate to Ford Customer Service. If this is unsuccessful, I recommend a steering wheel shakes inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, confirm this diagnosis, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
2012 equinox reduced power light engine light and traction light came on. Lost a lot of power got home and all light except engine
ANSWER : Your car has what is called a "safe mode" that will be engaged by the computer when it detects that something critical has gone wrong related to any of the major components in your engine chassis or power train. This may be related to a number of things, most of which should have been registered in the computer when the check engine light came on. I recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to inspect your check engine light and diagnose any codes registered by your vehicle’s computer.
Abs light, emergency brake light, steering wheel assist light, engine light, EPC light, traction control light
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The vehicle does utilize a lot of the same sensors for these systems. Are there any other codes that are coming up when this code appears? If so you will want to take these into consideration when processing the repair and making a diagnosis. The module may be bad, and replacing it should fix the problem. The lights should turn off once the main computer recognizes the new module and the sensors sync up. If you believe the sensors need to be cleaned you may do so. Do as minimal as possible to make sure you are not damaging the sensor or disrupting the wiring inside. A bad connection would make the lights stay on. With so many lights that are effected by the module being illuminated, the module is likely bad or does not have a connection. Check the connection first and then resort to replacing the unit. For more help with these electrical tests, contact our service department.
I had a warning message in my 2013 Ford Fusion that the power steering assist failed. I have power steering capability now. Is it safe to drive?
ANSWER : Some 2013 Ford Fusion models are part of a safety recall involving loss of steering assist. Contact your dealer with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or check your VIN number on safercar.gov to verify if this recall applies to your vehicle. Loss of steering assist can be dangerous if you are caught off guard. It would be best to not drive the vehicle. Contact your dealer to have it towed to their location.
My steering wheel locked up or got stiff and the battery light came on and oil light came on but battery is fine and oil is there
ANSWER : Depending on whether your truck came with electric power steering or hydraulic power steering, this could have been caused by failing power steering whether it be hydraulic or electric. To provide steering assistance in an electronic power steering system, an electric motor mounted to the side of the rack housing drives a ball-screw mechanism via a toothed rubber belt. The screw engages a spiral cut in the outside of the steering rack. A torque sensor attached to the pinion shaft signals a control computer when to provide assistance. There are a number of things that can fail with the electronics involved in this kind of a system.
In a hydraulic power steering system, the power steering system is driven by a belt on a pulley that is driven by the motor. Your car has a power steering pressure switch that sends a signal to the engine computer when the steering wheel is turned. In response, the engine computer commands the fuel injectors to introduce a little more fuel into the motor to help to compensate for the additional load that the power steering pump places on the motor. If something in this circuit is not working properly, the engine will not be compensated with more fuel as needed when the extra load on the engine is applied, and the engine will stumble, or stall. I would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
Why does my power steering warning light come on in my 2013 VW GLI
ANSWER : Hi there. Most of the time when this occurs it is due to a lack of voltage. It can be from a failing battery or alternator. Most of the time the issue is the battery. If the voltage is dropping too low during start up then this will occur. I would usually load test the battery first. If it fails then it is the problem. If it is fine the the alternator needs to be tested. If you need to have this checked out, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose why the power steering is acting up] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brakes-steering-and-suspension-inspection
Battery light coming and and assisted steering fault on dash and abs amber light
ANSWER : Hi there. It sounds like you have a failed alternator. The alternator is used to maintain the battery charge and provide electrical support to the electrical system. Its output can vary depending on the electrical load placed on the system; ac, blower motor, headlights, etc. Have the alternator tested at idle and under load to determine if the voltage/amps are not within specifications; replace as necessary. Also have the battery tested with a digital battery tester that provides current voltage, cold cranking amps, and state of health. Replace the battery if needed. If the battery tests ok, then recharge the battery before starting the car with the new alternator. Not having a fully charged battery can present an undue load on the new alternator’s internal voltage regulator and shorten the life of the new alternator. I suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to avoid replacing unnecessary parts. Your Mechanic has several technicians available that can assist you with an electrical problems inspection.
power steering fluid is leaking
ANSWER : With a power steering fluid leak that big, you certainly should have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible to find the exact cause. Any of the components you listed can be the source of the leak. The power steering pump as well as the rack & pinion steering unit rely on the fluid for lubrication as well as cooling. The whining you hear is from the pump when the fluid runs low or empty. Your issue can be caused by something as simple as a fluid hose right now, but continued ’running dry" of the power steering fluid, can result in damage to both the pump and the rack & pinion unit. If that happens, you can take what may be a repair of a few hundred dollars and turn it into a repair of a couple of thousand dollars.
