I recently had the "EPS" warning come up and lost all power steering while backing up out of a parking space. I was able to drive home and hook up my OBDII reader and no codes were shown (not stored?). I did turn the car off and back on before I connected the reader (the EPS light was not on at this point).

I've done a search for other similar problems and and found a few that were similar but can't seem to find a definitive answer.

The controller seems to have reset itself and all is well now but is this normal?

My '04 only has 3000mi on it and, although it's a REAL pain, should I take it in to the dealer or is it relatively common and nothing that I should worry about?


Thanks!

 

By any chance did you sit in the parking stall with your foot on the gas to give a high idle (3000 rpm or more) for more than 3 minutes? This will produce an EPS light. If you shut off the car and then drive it normally, the light will go off. If this was not the case, then I suppose it could have been a momentary glitch.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by xviper
By any chance did you sit in the parking stall with your foot on the gas to give a high idle (3000 rpm or more) for more than 3 minutes?

 

The light will clear if the EPS computer senses that things are normal again in the next driving cycle. I'm not sure if the code clears too.

 

what stores EPS lights?

I don't think you can pull a code from the OBD-II port for a power steering light. Correct me if I am wrong.

 

EPS DTCs are stored in the EPS Control Unit (by the battery). EPS DTCs are memorized in the EEPROM (non volatile) and cannot be erased by disconnecting the battery. They can be retrieved via the same data link connector under the dash as for pulling other DTC from the ECU, using a PGM tester. Only with this tester can the codes be cleared.

 

I had problems similar to this in the past. On some journeys, the EPS light would come on, and there would be no assistence. Most of the time, the assistance would kick in shortly into the drive. Local Honda dealer were useless about it. I simply disconnected the connections on the EPS control unit, and the steering rack, cleaned them off, reassembled them, and gave them a light spray of a coating type penetrating oil. Not had a problem since.

-Brian.