What Causes the Power Steering System Warning Light to Illuminate?
4 Answers
When the yellow "EPS" warning light or the "steering wheel" shaped warning light appears on the dashboard, the following symptoms may occur: heavy steering, abnormal steering noise, steering wheel vibration, and poor steering wheel return ability. Possible causes of electronic power steering system failure include: 1. Excessive air in the power steering system. 2. Foreign objects in the hydraulic lines causing obstruction in the steering pump flow. 3. Loose steering connections leading to steering fluid leakage. Below is a related introduction to this section: There is a hub with grooves on the steering shaft. When the steering wheel is turned, the grooves also rotate. Around the hub, there are four equally spaced grooves. When the turn signal is activated, the plastic lever on the turn signal switch is pushed into the path of these grooves. As the hub continues to rotate clockwise, these grooves strike the plastic lever, causing it to wobble, allowing each groove to pass through. When the steering wheel is turned back to the left, the hub rotates counterclockwise, pushing the plastic lever in the opposite direction. This forces the spring-loaded roller out of the switch housing's groove, causing the turn signal lever to snap back to its central position.
I'm an average driver who's been driving family sedans for many years, and I get nervous when the power steering warning light comes on because the steering becomes super heavy. The most common issue is low power steering fluid, which could be due to a leaking hose or aging seals—this requires topping up with fresh fluid immediately, or the power steering pump could burn out. Another cause is a faulty sensor, like the angle sensor, which might trigger a false warning light. Electrical issues, such as loose wiring or a blown fuse, are also common. Last time it happened to me, the fluid was low—I checked the level myself and then went to the repair shop to get it topped up. Safety first! Never keep driving when the light is on; it could lead to an accident. Regular fluid checks can prevent major trouble. Repairs aren’t too expensive, but delaying them could mean a costlier full system replacement later.
I often tinker with cars myself. When the power steering warning light comes on, it's usually a minor issue that I can handle on my own. Low power steering fluid is the number one problem—just pop the hood and check the fluid level against the marks on the reservoir, topping it up with the right fluid if it's low. If there's a leak, check the hoses for cracks. A blown fuse is also easy to fix—just replace it with a new one in the fuse box. A failed pump is a bigger headache, but it usually makes strange noises before the light comes on. Sensors in electric power steering systems are prone to issues; I bought a diagnostic tool that connects to my phone to scan for trouble codes—super handy. Just remember not to drive too far if the light's on, as losing power steering is dangerous. If you can't fix it yourself, get to a professional shop ASAP.
With over ten years of experience in car repair, I can tell you there are three main reasons why the power steering warning light comes on: the most common is a faulty power steering pump, where insufficient oil pressure triggers the light; next is a sensor issue, like a broken steering angle sensor causing the computer to give a false alarm; and circuit problems, such as short circuits or blown fuses, are also frequent. Start by checking the oil level and listening for unusual sounds—noise usually means the pump is failing. Don’t mess around with these sensitive components; if not fixed properly, the steering could fail. The best approach is to take it to a shop for accurate diagnostics with proper equipment—replacing the faulty part will solve the issue.
