Technical Power steering goes stiff on my panda
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Technical Power steering goes stiff on my panda
In fact I read it as being the same scenario. Mine has assistance, CityMode feels lighter, lifeless, not much inclination to self-centre and needing input even when driving in a straight line. "Lifeless" is actually a good word.
For what it's worth, steering seems stiff and 'lifeless' all the time. Enthuastic driving merely masks that. And engaging CityMode simply reduces the input needed when maneuvering at low speed. I still need to poke the sleepy EPS.
@irc - can you help with telling me a bit more about MES and Proxi and the process involved. I've found a local MES equipped member on here. Might be worth taking a punt at diagnosing things that way round.
Same at 70mph it's not the power steering !
As @koalar says, its unlikely to be the same issue, but the similarities were why I put it in this thread.
If you've got a local MultiECUSCan (MES) resource, you could check very quickly - connect up MES, select Body Computer, and check the current CAN status. You'll get a list of connected modules. Errors show up in red, and give a status message. DO NOT RUN A PROXI ALIGNMENT until you are sure its the right thing to do - it could break stuff.
As I said, I would have expected an error about the BCU having lost sight of the EPS module, but even though I have owned the car for ears, it was "out of my care" for a few years with someone who is not a "car person" and is susceptible to bulls**t from people who know very little. When I lent it, everything worked properly, and no "cheapo" unbranded parts were fitted. I am still working through the bodges and sub-standard parts that have been fitted while on loan.
EPS problems are rarely the column, usually battery, earths, tyres or mechanical damage.
I had never seen a problem like this one in 10+ years of working on lots of Pandas, and I didn't know it could actually BE a problem, let alone heard of anyone else having the same problem, so statistically its not likely you have the same issue, but, as I said, a few minutes to rule it out may be worthwhile.
The power steering is proportional to speed
More assistance at low speed, less at high speed
Centering assistance is proportional to how many degrees from centre it is
If it stiff at 70 mph while driving down a straightish road, when there's virtually no assistance normally
The problem is probably not be due to the EPS
If its notchy springs or top mounts (bearings rust) are common failure points, but there are others
If it fine while driving slow maximum assistance but feels stiff at speed, little assistance, the rack may be faulty, usually due to an accident, uncommon and quite specific symptoms
More assistance at low speed, less at high speed
Centering assistance is proportional to how many degrees from centre it is
If it stiff at 70 mph while driving down a straightish road, when there's virtually no assistance normally
The problem is probably not be due to the EPS
If its notchy springs or top mounts (bearings rust) are common failure points, but there are others
If it fine while driving slow maximum assistance but feels stiff at speed, little assistance, the rack may be faulty, usually due to an accident, uncommon and quite specific symptoms
So many sensors. Torque sensor. Angle sensor. Speed sensor.
I'll now go connect an OBD reader to see what the car has to say for itself.
If angle sensor fails to supply anything but 0, centering assistance will be 0.
Speed sensor appears to be working; I can feel lots of 'extra' when engaging CityMode and maneuvering at really low speed.
So, I understand that
If (at speed AND going straight) then assistance=0.
Meaning that if the steering feels stiff without any assistance (EPS inactive) then it must be a mechanical issue.
Makes sense.
Correct
Not recommended, as the steering will be very heavy at slow speeds
But it is possible to pull the fuse for the ESP and drive down the motorway, you'd be hard push to tell any difference, while driving straight, I can't
