Electronic Power Steering Failure
 

Hey guys. I've searched everywhere.

On here and google with all these different searches with no avail.

Here's the story.

Today I drove into work at 10am with no problems. I had to run to the post office around 2:00pm and car starts, pull out of driveway and my power steering shuts off! I hear a click and the electronic power steering(eps) light turns on and I lose it. I pull over and turn car off an on and its gone. Weird. I drive to post office do my stuff and come out and same thing happens. This time it won't go away.

Anyone have or know of this issue or a solution? I have scheduled an appointment with Toyota and going in tomorrow at 10am but just wondering if anyone has a clue.

Some notes.

- Sitting idle doesn't turn on right away, turn on air, eps light comes on and lose power steering.
- Haven't touched anything electrical wise for months.
- Do have electrical upgrades like lighting and a sound system, but was installed a year ago and haven't touched since.
- Sitting idle with no air doesn't come on until I drive a bit.
- Humid and hot out today.

Please help

Thanks

Did you scan for codes? If your power steering light comes on, I believe it stores a code. The service manual lists 26 different codes associated with the power steering system.

No clue, because The EPS , electric power steering, is a module and if there
is any failure the light will turn on and create a code, if you can't read the code we can talk about what can cause it and people will throw up a lot of ideas on what it MIGHT be, but it will never pin-point your issue.

See the dealer then report back to what they stated is wrong.

No code yet. Will find out when they scan it I guess. I couldn't find anyone on this site who even reported that light coming on.

Have you checked the fuse .... ??

80Amp fuse #46, in the fuse block under the hood.

Maybe it's burnt out or not making a good contact .....:iono:

I always have a simple solution ...... and it's usually wrong .... :popcorn:


humfrz

You know there is always a clicking sound when it shuts off like a fuse but didn't think eps had a fuse.

Wish I saw this before I dropped it off at toyota. It is in their hands now.

Well, yep ...... the EPS does have a big ol fat fuse.

Let us know what the problem (and the fix) was ..... :)

It would be a looooooong 13 miles down off this mountain without power steering ..... :eyebulge:


humfrz

Even if it was the fuse, you have to figure out what caused the fuse to fail. I have yet to find a car with just a burned out fuse. Most of the time there is a reason why it failed.

Sounds like a breaker kickin in and out. It's a warranty item don't lose time wonderin about it.

I lol'd as my palms sweat from thinking about that tumble

Well ya, but if you find it was a fuse ...... then you could just replace it with a .22 cal shell ...... or jump it with a piece of #9 wire and look for ..... the smoking parts/wires ...... :happyanim:


humfrz - being silly ..... :(

Well Toyota dealer tried to tell me my warranty is voided because of the electrical work done over a year ago which included a subwoofer, new components, amps, and hids. All done at professional shops.

Needless to say I was livid, especially when they told me it will take 5 hours to diagnose at $110 an hour.

Told them no way (in a much vulgar tone) and they are currently trying to work it out with Toyota.

I could understand the blame in shotty electrical work, but it was done a year ago and hasn't been touched since.

I want to go to there.

My guess would be a voltage drop to the electric power steering and the car throwing up the warning light. That would coincide with the A/C being turned on and then the blower motor kicking on causing it as well. Perhaps your battery/grounding on your stereo is finally starting to cause the issue. Get a jump box and hook it up to your battery and see if the symptoms remain.