Electric power steering

[alldodge]

2013 dodge charger, sons car
Car was hit a few years ago on right front fender by a deer. The electric power steering pump is behind the fender. When motor is idling the steering can go stiff (hard to turn) but give it a slight bit of gas, and all is good.

Fluid level is ok, so I'm thinking maybe a bad connection, weak battery, or damaged rack. Have never worked on one of these so looking for ideas

 

[poconojoe]

I can only guess since I'm an "old school" mechanic, but that is an interesting setup.

Since it's electric, I'm assuming it's not belt driven. So that rules out a low idle, I guess.

The only thing I could think of, and you asserted to this, that it could be a voltage problem. Maybe a weak battery? Alternator? Is the alternator belt slipping? But, I'm guessing you already checked that.

Is it the original battery? If so, after 8+ years, it might be a good idea to replace it anyway and go from there. It's at or near the end of it's service life anyway.

I assume, with all the modern technical gizmos, you probably can't just pull the plug at the steering motor and test with a multimeter, or could you? Pulling that plug with the engine running would probably cause some crazy reactions from the computer.

I wonder what it would cost to have someone connect it to diagnostic software?

These modern designs are phasing out us old school mechanics. Heck, they don't even call them mechanics anymore, they're now called techs.

I know I'm not much help, but I wish you luck and keep us posted.

Happy New Year!

 

[alldodge]

Right there with ya Joe, I know belt driven but not the electric. There is a relay which turns it on/off (so is my understanding) and it happens at low only. So is the relay working or not, I don't know.

Figure ask questions and maybe some young'ens will come and tell us old folks how to test it

 

[poconojoe]

Right there with ya Joe, I know belt driven but not the electric. There is a relay which turns it on/off (so is my understanding) and it happens at low only. So is the relay working or not, I don't know.

Figure ask questions and maybe some young'ens will come and tell us old folks how to test it

Yeah, hopefully someone will chime in.

I fear that only some crazy expensive software might be the way, but what do I know?

If you don't get any clues in the near future, you might have to open your son's wallet to some diagnostic guru. If you have a trustworthy dealership near you, you might have to go that route.

 

[alldodge]

If you don't get any clues in the near future, you might have to open your son's wallet to some diagnostic guru. If you have a trustworthy dealership near you, you might have to go that route.

That makes me want to laugh but mostly cry
He doesn't have any money, why I try to figure it out to help. Long story but being 40 years old hasn't helped

 

[GA_Boater]

Autozone and other parts stores can read the codes while the wallet is still closed. Not all codes turn on the light.

A flush with new fluid with might help. Probably takes liquid gold.

 

[bruceb58]

What is the voltage at idle and what is it when at higher RPM?

Is it stiff when the car is not moving but better if the RPM is higher and the car is also not moving? Reason I ask is because many cars with electric power steering use speed sensors to determine power steering output. Another thing that determines output it is how fast you are actually turning the wheel. All controlled by sensors.

Has anyone put in power steering fluid? Did they use the correct type?

Autopart stores likely won't have the scanner that is needed. You will need a scanner with a brand specific upgrade. This is why I went with an Autoenginuity software type scanner. I can buy vehicle specific software upgrades to see vehicle specific codes and sensor data. A generic scanner won't do that.

 

[alldodge]

He says its a bit erratic. Happens when stopped getting ready to turn and also sometimes like when pulling into parking space. Seems to have more difficulty "sometimes" when turning right then left, but does it both ways.

I'm sure its a sensor and its not energizing the relay that turns on the power.

I've ask a few times is the fluid full, and every time he said yes. During a christmas vist I got him to open the hood and I go looking for the pump. Went to youtube to find it, and he didn't know where it was. Since then he checked and it is full

Texted him last night about checking the bat voltage at idle and find the connectors at the pump to see if there is corrosion.

 

[ahicks]

OK, another old time car mechanic here. If there is a relay turning that pump on and off, my bet it there's a pressure switch somewhere in that system that lets it work without running the pump constantly. That pressure switch might be mechanically activated or hydraulic. In either case, I think that's where I would start. Looking in to how it's activated and if it's working properly. Maybe some corroded wires/connections somewhere?

 

[Lou C]

alldodge
I can’t answer your question but know of someone who might…go over to
www.allpar.com
And post up your question the user name of the member is Imperial Crown. Very knowledgeable….

 

[alldodge]

Thanks

 

[bruceb58]

Yep...need to head over to a forum oin these cars. Probably a common issue.

 

[alldodge]

Just joined, I'm on several other Mopar but they are all the truck types