Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

I own a 2007 Escape Hybrid with just over 17,000 miles on it. Yesterday after coming out of a store I started it and a service power steering light came on. It drove like a tank, but I took it to my local garage that does my oil changes. They could not get an error message when running diagnostics. I dropped it off at my dealer and found that the module for power steering was bad. They are replacing it and it is all covered under warranty so I am thankful.

Other than this issue I love this vehicle.

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

Also a common problem with Toyota and Lexus hybrids that have electric assist power stearing. The "book" indicates that these are subject to overheating if too much stearing assist is required over a relatively short time period. If the power assist seems to be reaching the overheat level then it will begin to operate at a reduced power level and if that doesn't work it will be disabled altogether. I would imagine that this might be a more common occurrence in HOT climates.

**** poor design approach IMMHO.

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

Willard-

There was no mention of anything overheating.
Some electronics were probably defective.
Could be for any number of reasons, including a manufacturing defect.
The original poster said nothing about anything getting hot.

To beakgeek;

In the future, pull over, turn the key off, wait a minute, then restart the car.
Sometimes just resetting the power can solve minor issues.
Remember, this vehicle is as much computer, as it is machine.

HTH,
-John

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

[quote=wwest;193751"the book"

what book?

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

Heat was not the issue. It was -16F when this happened which made me think cold was the issue.

I'm a computer geek by trade so I did the obvious reboot technique. It did reset after shutting off the vehicle and restarting it, but the module would not communicate with the diagnostic equipment at my shop and the delearship which to me means a bigger issue.

I took it in to make sure everything was ok. I'd hate to lose power steering on icy roads at high speed.

I thought it was worth mentioning to see if this has happened to anyone else.

Regards,

Terry

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

There is no requirement that manufacturers disclose to third parties any OBDII diagnostic procedures, etc, beyond those involved with emissions control.

If you want, need, access to the others your only choice is a manufacturer specific OBDII "reader"

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

Hi -
It was zero degrees in NH this morning. My wife took our Escape 2005 Hybrid to the drugstore - 3-4 miles away. Came out to care and power steering was dead and light was on. She drove it home that way. I saw a reference to cold earlier so wanted to add to the thread. Will call dealer tomorrow but I'm guessing they'll be clueless. Any ideas?
Patrick

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

Driving without the electric power assist can sometimes result in the use of so much force on the stearing wheel that the torque tube, or anything used to sense the twisting motion, might take a "set", be twisted, permanently.

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

Same problem with our 2006 Escape Hybrid AWD. It was -5 here in Maine yesterday. Drove the car into town with no problem. Stopped for breakfast. Got back in the car, started it, and the power steering was out, "service power steering" message appeared, and service light came on. It's at the dealership now awaiting diagnosis. Perhaps something about extreme cold is unkind to the electric power steering?

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

Will be very interesting to see what your dealer says. Took mine in last week and they said they could do nothing for me besides call Ford. They did and Ford said they'd never heard of the problem before. 22 below here in NH today and the thing is running fine. The dealer here said if it happens again, start the car with the A/C on so the car does not shut off and wait for a while for engine to warm up. Then shut car off and then restart and see if that fixes it. Will try this next time it happens. They also said the computer does not store any codes for the steering. My next step is try to get in touch with a childhood friend who works for Ford and see if he can probe within the depths of their engineering department. Will try this after I hear more about your dealer experience!

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

Dealer just called. At first they got a "C1778" trouble code, but after clearing it and restarting, everything worked fine. The code apparently indicates a problem with the EPS controller, a $600+ repair (no longer under warranty). I found a related discussion over at Edmunds.com Town Hall (http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0fb471), but nothing especially helpful. Now we have to decide if it's worth the money to fix a one-time/possibly intermittent problem. The dealership has no further information or recommendation.

I don't really understand the "let it warm up" recommendation. Our car had been driven about 30 miles before we stopped for breakfast, and was off for only 5 or 10 minutes before restarting the problem occurring, so the car's systems were probably still warm. If cold was the problem, I would have thought that the problem would have occurred at the first start-up of the morning.

Hope you get a better answer from your friend at Ford.

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

This is fantastic news (not the $600 part, but the code at least). I'll call my dealer and relay the information. There is an earlier post in this list about someone with a 2007 vehicle who had some sort of "module" replaced.

I agree on the "let it warm up" piece. Our car had gone about 5 miles, it sat for 5 min, then was started up again.

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

Does anybody have a write up on how to change the electric power steering control module or how to test it?
Just curious as I'm having the intermittent wrench and service power steering warning.
Thanks in advance.

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

There isn't one as the EPS isn't serviceable just replaced as an assembly. Didn't really think that the 2007MY had EPS.

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

You got to be kidding me Bill, EPS came on the first '05 FEH!

Gary

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

I'm serious, I'm not a know it all!

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

Is there a write up floating around that guides one through the removal and installation of the EPAS unit.
There has to be something out there. This truck has been out since 2005.
Does anyone have access to a service manual/shop manual for the 2007 FEH?

Dropping close to $1500 to replace the EPAS assembly at the dealer is not really feasible right now.

Thanks in advance.

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

A Ford Workshop Manual is what states that you can't service the unit and you must replace the entire assembly.

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

I have had the same issue. Here's my post on Escape city which returned no results. It looks exactly what was described above.

---
This is the second time this has happened to me. The first time was on a hard brake and swerve to dodge a car that stopped short ahead of me. that was about 6 months ago. Yesterday I was slowly pulling into a a traffic circle and the power steering just stopped, manual steering still worked OK but difficult to turn. I stopped the motor and restarted and it seemed to be fine. With a road trip coming this week I thought I would post to see if anyone has experienced this and if it is serious.

After my MECS pump issue and the $600 savings by doing it myself I'm a little gunshy of taking it to the dealer first.

Will appreciate any information,

------ No replies or comments there...

It has been a few weeks and hasn't happened since. The first time it occurred I did a hard stop and turn to avoid a road hazard. This last time there was no warning, going slowly around a downtown traffic circle. The steering continued to work (like a tank) and I was able to pull over and restart the motor. That seemed to resolve it. Does this mean that this will be a continuing issue or are these random occurrences under special conditions (overheated electric steering control)? We have 138K miles... and I'm hoping this isn't an omen.

We've been very pleased with this vehicle to date - the MECS pump experience was a lesson that the dealer option needs to be closely considered before letting them do the work.

Will appreciate any feedback,

Max

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

Mine did go bad and did not return to normal. I had the local dealership replace the bad unit with a brand new one and all is good. Posted this information elsewhere.

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

Thanks for the post,

Just curious, did it go over time or all at once... do you remember the approx mileage? Dealer price to replace.

Ours is 2008 Escape 2WD. I'm just wondering if it something that I need to be ready to deal with before winter really gets here.

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

No. You will do nothing unless the unit fails as it is electronic.

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

I have a 2005 FEH and recently just rolled over 200K mi. My FEH has been an incredibly so reliable vehicle. I purchased it with 102K on it and over the past 98K mi. the only thing I have done to it is regular maintenance, a blend door actuator (95K ago) and replaced a worn out A/C pump.

My daughter's car is dying so I decided to look for a used FEH for her. Found one in excellent shape for $2000 with a bad power steering module. I ordered a new module for it and I'm waiting for it to arrive.

I pulled the old module out of the car, which turned out to be a very easy 30 minute job. The previous owner had it diagnosed by a shop and by the Ford dealer. Both confirmed that was the module. The only paperwork I have is by a Firestone shop that states "will need reprogramming... " after installing the new module. I believe there is also a thread on here about that.

PS - I will document the process to do the replacement and post it to the forum with results once I have completed the repair.

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

Update:

Received the part from a Ford Parts vendor on Ebay, finally after they sat on it for 4 stinking days before they shipped it. Stay clear of Tasca. I paid $478 with free shipping but it would have been better to just pay shipping and get it sooner.

I had planned on documenting the installation... But it literally only took 15 minutes. The hardest part of the job is getting the fuse box out of the way so you can get to the firewall. The previous owner of the vehicle sold the car because the dealer had quoted her $1000 for the part and $1000 labor.... For a 30 minute fix. This repair is so easy that anyone with basic mechanical skills could do it.

The module replacement worked and the Escape is back on the road. Apparently there is no need to reprogram the computer or recalibrate or whatever.

I hope this helps anyone else who may have the same (somewhat common) failure on higher mileage FEH's. This particular Escape has 191,450 miles on it. My own (twin) escape has 201,200 miles and so far, so good.

The part is also available here: http://www.oemfordpart.com/oe-ford/6m6z3f881a

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

Thanks for the informative posts. It must feel really good to sort this out and save so much cash.

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

I have a 2007 FEH. PSCM (Power Steering Control Module) went out; power steering failed. I ordered a used PSCM from a wrecking yard for $150. Installed it myself. Works perfect now! No need to calibrate or anything.

Part Info if you want to get it new:
Part Number (on my original part): 6M64-3F881-AB
Ford Part Number: 6M6Z-3F881-A (MODULE & BRKT ASY)
Link: http://www.varsityfordparts.com/oe-ford/6m6z3f881a

I had trouble installing it a first and then figured it out; here are the steps below:

Step 1 - removed air filter box (1x - 10mm BOLT) - optional step, but very quick and simple and makes accessing everything SO MUCH easier.

Step 2 - removed fuse box (under the hood; drivers side); 2x - 10mm NUTS that hold a bracket which is attached to the drivers side strut tower. Disconnect 2 connectors and remove plastic push-in rivets (5 total rivets) to get the fuse box completely out of the way.

Step 3 - access the PSCM on the fire wall (silver colored - square box) - disconnect the 2 connectors at the bottom of the PSCM. Press on clips to unlock them before removing them. Remove 1x 10mm NUT from the top right area of the PSCM.

Step 4 - inside the car, behind the brake pedal, locate 2x 10mm NUTS - you will see a white plastic cone shaped piece protruding from the firewall; on both sides of it you will see the 2 - 10mm NUTS, remove those two nuts.

Step 5 - remove the PSCM from under the hood, it will slide right out

Step 6 - remove the ground wire connected to the PSCM bracket. It's 1x 12mm BOLT that needs to be removed.

Step 7 - remove both 12mm BOLTS to remove the PSCM from the bracket and install the replacement PSCM. Put everything back together.

Hope this helps people fix this very simple and inexpensive fix. Save me $1000 if I would have had the local ford dealership install it.

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

It looks like I might be replacing the PSCM for a 2007 FEH. Thank you, VikFomenko, for providing instructions for all!

A question to you or anyone still in the thread with regards to the instructions. Do you need to disconnect the battery before replacing the module? Also, do you need to pull any fuses or do anything with the "hybrid" battery before replacing the module? Thanks.

Did you all check any other parts for the power steering issue? I've checked the fuses. I'm trying to figure out if there are other things to check.

I've read that there is a Torque Sensor but I only see references on it for 2008 and earlier models.

Does the 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid have a power steering "pressure switch" and a "pressure sensor"?

Thank you for any help and advice. I'm trying to check off any boxes I can before having to shell out for a $530 part.

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

Hey 2007FEH, to answer your questions:
1. I don't remember disconnecting the battery first, but it wouldn't hurt if you are concerned
2. I didn't pull any fuses, I simple removed the old one and installed the new one.
3. Yes I did check all the fuses just like you did and I didn't find any issues. I researched it for several days until I finally found the solution and it was to simply replace the Power Steering Module. It was an easy fix and I didn't do anything else except simply replace that part.

I ended up using a used part since I didn't want to pay the $500+ for a new one. I called all the local wrecking yards near me that had the part (using http://www.car-part.com/). I called them and had them confirm it was the correct by sending them a picture of the unit. I was able to find a guy in state that sold and shipped it to me for $150.

Good luck to you.

Re: Service Power Steering module gone bad
 

Sincere thanks VikFomenko! I followed your install steps and was relieved to have a successful attempt. Thank you!