Power steering not working

[RyanOlsen05]

Hey, I’m new here. I recently bought my car but the power steering doesn’t work. I checked the fuzes but that’s not the problem. I’m wondering if anyone has any suggestions or has had a similar issue.

[JD001]

The Twins have power steering!! What next? MT?

[Ultramaroon]

Did you throw your accessory belt? Overheated too?


EPS will not run off of the battery. It runs only from a properly functioning alternator.

[JohnH]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Did you throw your accessory belt? Overheated too?


EPS will not run off of the battery. It runs only from a properly functioning alternator.

Interesting, thanks for that info. I might have to use that knowledge at work one day.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by JohnH

Interesting, thanks for that info. I might have to use that knowledge at work one day.

Yeah. It's a nice analog to the old power steering pump. Can still get home if your alternator shits the bed because the servo would otherwise drain the battery pretty quickly.


Other folks reading this, Don't drive without a working water pump. That's a showstopper.

[RyanOlsen05]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Did you throw your accessory belt? Overheated too?


EPS will not run off of the battery. It runs only from a properly functioning alternator.

My alternator and belt are both running good

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by RyanOlsen05

My alternator and belt are both running good

I'm sure that the MIL must be illuminated. Take it to an auto parts store and ask if someone can read the code(s) for you.

[mazeroni]

Originally Posted by RyanOlsen05

Hey, I’m new here. I recently bought my car but the power steering doesn’t work. I checked the fuzes but that’s not the problem. I’m wondering if anyone has any suggestions or has had a similar issue.

Does it occasionally work and go out suddenly? Is there a glowing "steering wheel" light in the dash that stays on?

My Power Steering ECU went at around 50K miles. It was $1200 with parts and labor at the dealer. The part online is like $500, the rest is labor. Not sure if you can fix it yourself. I believe part of the labor was having to calibrate it with the Toyota computer, but I'm not totally sure.

In my case, the power steering would work, then randomly go out while driving. Turning off and on the car fixed it temporarily. I did ask them to check the codes before they did anything, but they said the car wouldn't show anything if it was hardware. It didn't. They actually had to leave the car running for about 2 hours before it faulted on its own so they could guarantee it was the ECU because the car didn't log any problems.

[RyanOlsen05]

Originally Posted by mazeroni

Does it occasionally work and go out suddenly? Is there a glowing "steering wheel" light in the dash that stays on?

My Power Steering ECU went at around 50K miles. It was $1200 with parts and labor at the dealer. The part online is like $500, the rest is labor. Not sure if you can fix it yourself. I believe part of the labor was having to calibrate it with the Toyota computer, but I'm not totally sure.

In my case, the power steering would work, then randomly go out while driving. Turning off and on the car fixed it temporarily. I did ask them to check the codes before they did anything, but they said the car wouldn't show anything if it was hardware. It didn't. They actually had to leave the car running for about 2 hours before it faulted on its own so they could guarantee it was the ECU because the car didn't log any problems.

The power steering light on the dash is on. The power steering never worked, even for the previous owner. Is it common for the power steering ecu to go out? ( for reference it has 137,000km or roughly 85,000 miles)


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[mazeroni]

Originally Posted by RyanOlsen05

The power steering light on the dash is on. The power steering never worked, even for the previous owner. Is it common for the power steering ecu to go out? ( for reference it has 137,000km or roughly 85,000 miles)


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Not that I've heard on the forums. Not sure the stats. I probably just got unlucky.

* I should add, it could also be the motor itself. In that case, I think the dealer would replace the entire steering assembly which will be much more costly.

[RyanOlsen05]

Originally Posted by mazeroni

Not that I've heard on the forums. Not sure the stats. I probably just got unlucky.

I guess that makes 2 of us


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[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I'm sure that the MIL must be illuminated. Take it to an auto parts store and ask if someone can read the code(s) for you.

Originally Posted by RyanOlsen05

My power steering has been not working in my 2013 frs for longer than I’ve owned it. A mechanic said that it is most likely due to having an aftermarket steering wheel and no airbag. I’m not sold on the idea, so I thought I’d come on here and ask around. The reason I think it’s not due to the steering wheel is because the only connections that aren’t being used are the airbags (and that shouldn’t turn off EPS). The codes that are on are… C1515, C1525, U1201, U0073, and U0126. If you have any ideas or suggestions lmk.

I suggest not starting a new thread for the same problem.

[Ultramaroon]

C1515/1525 - No biggie. System needs re-initialized.


U0073/U0126 - U0126 is the tell. Busted clock spring. Most likely broken when the steering wheel was first removed.