What does it mean when the EPS light on the car is on?
3 Answers
When the EPS light on the car is on, it indicates a chassis braking technology developed on the basis of the anti-lock braking system (ABS). It mainly consists of a control unit, steering sensor, wheel speed sensor, slip angle sensor, lateral acceleration sensor, and other components. EPS enables automatic vehicle safety control, effectively improving driving stability and safety under dynamic conditions such as braking, acceleration, and steering. The EPS system includes various sensors that comprehensively detect the vehicle's driving state, as well as an intelligent onboard microcomputer control system for analyzing and processing signals from these sensors. The sensors used in the EPS system include the yaw rate sensor, lateral acceleration sensor, steering wheel angle sensor, brake pressure sensor, and throttle position sensor, all of which are essential components of the system.
I think the EPS warning light is a pretty serious matter. When that yellow light pops up, it means there's an issue with your car's Electric Power Steering system. You'll definitely notice the steering wheel becoming extremely heavy while driving, especially when making turns or U-turns. Last week, my neighbor's 80,000-km old Civic had this exact problem - turned out the torque sensor in the steering gear was clogged with sludge, and it worked fine after cleaning. If your steering wheel suddenly becomes brick-heavy when stopping at red lights, don't force it. Pull over immediately to check for loose battery connections. This isn't something to delay - I recommend contacting a repair shop right away to read the fault codes. A minor issue might just need code clearing, but if the motor's burnt out, you could be looking at thousands to replace the entire system.
Back when I worked in the shop, I've checked many vehicles with illuminated EPS warning lights. The most common culprits were faulty sensors or oxidized wire connectors. Those sensors under the steering wheel are particularly delicate - even a splash of water can cause issues. Once during rainy repairs, I encountered a BMW with green corrosion on its steering angle sensor connector - a simple cleaning fixed it immediately. If you notice uneven steering resistance left versus right, there's an 80% chance the torque sensor has failed. Also, don't underestimate battery terminals - some owners reported persistent EPS lights after installing cheap replacement batteries from auto parts markets, as voltage fluctuations can affect the entire system. You can start by popping the hood to check battery cable connections, and remember to inspect the EPS fuse box under the front passenger seat - it might just be a minor issue.
