Hey guys,

My power steering died last year and I ended up bringing it to Honda who told me the Power Steering ECU module was bad. After replacing EPS was fine, but... it's dead again.
On my way to the track, I went over some typical Massachusetts bumpy roads and EPS turned off without ever coming back. EPS had been fine even recently completing a 30+ autocrosses and a 3000 mile journey with no issue. Trackday and Autocross sucked without power steering. Need to fix it as I still have 2 solid and full months of events planned.

Obviously, tried disconnecting the battery during the testing as well. No dice.
Fuse was good, tested with a voltmeter.
I found a poor ground wire, tightened it up thinking that would be the issue but EPS did not return.
Tried the 4-9 paperclip trick with the EPS torque sensor reset as well. Did not work.

Any thoughts on issues?

 

Did Honda replace the PS ECU? Should still be on warranty.

Sounds like a hinky connection(s) somewhere in the loom. Guess it's time to take out the old DVM and start grinding for bad connections. I hate doing that --- worse thing about cars and other electronic-driven doo-dads.

Good luck!

 

What ps codes are you getting?

 

They replaced the PSECU but I used the PS ECU from a part-out S2000. But you may be right about a bad connection somewhere. I'll take a volt-meter to the different wires and see where that leads me.

 

I dont have a device that can read PS codes. Do you have a recommendation for one that does?

 

Update, codes read as 14 Torque Sensor and 22 Excessive change of the vehicle sensor (VSS) signal. Friend and I checked the plug connectors and determined the wiring is fine, but the torque sensor is caput. Time to replace.

 

have you tried this?

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/s2000-un...fixed-1190684/

 

If the symptom were inconsistent steering vs dead, then I would try the cleaning method but the symptoms were EPS completely died without return after a section of rough road. The correct method to determine the issue was to disconnect the wiring and check the resistance of the sensors. The wiring check determined the sensor had failed. I can remove the torque sensor and inspect the circuit board to see if connectors need to be re-soldered. The torque sensor is easily accessible once you remove the steering rack. It's a pain in the ass if you try to do this while its still in the car because the AC, radiator lines, and steering yolk are directly in the way. The Torque sensor is held in with 3 Torx Safety bolts. New EPS torque sensors are available from Honda for roughly $500.

What I ended up doing was replacing the EPS rack for a known working unit and confirming it worked by checking the resistance within the 3 connectors. Now the PS ECU module could communicate with the EPS. I then re-calibrated the EPS rack to the ECU via the 4-9 paperclip SCS short circuit trick and EPS returned.

If the circuit dies again, I'll be able to purchase the Torque sensor while the rack is off the vehicle fairly simply.

 

I think torque sensor has been discontinued.

Just because online parts place still lists it doesn't mean they have it. It'll let you place order, take your money, then later they contact you that part no longer available.

 

Damn. This is very sad news to me :/ Is there a good alternative to a failed torque sensor then? Such as disassembling it, finding the circuit board, etc.
I know Miata guys have found a way to use the electric steering rack belonging to like a Saturn and retrofit it into their steering racks.