What to Do When the Electric Power Steering Warning Light Comes On?
3 Answers
When the electric power steering warning light comes on, the owner needs to find a safe place to park the vehicle. The illumination of this warning light may indicate a fault in the vehicle's electric power steering system. There are three types of power steering systems in cars: electric power steering (EPS), electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS), and mechanical hydraulic power steering (MHPS). The electric power steering system provides steering assistance directly through an electric motor and does not have hydraulic components. Both electro-hydraulic and mechanical hydraulic power steering systems include hydraulic mechanisms, with the electro-hydraulic system adding electronic components to the mechanical hydraulic system.
Last time I was driving, the electric power steering warning light suddenly came on, and my heart skipped a beat. The steering became as heavy as pushing a millstone. I knew this was a serious issue, so I immediately slowed down, turned on the hazard lights, and pulled over. After checking the battery connections and finding them secure, I restarted the car, but the light remained on—indicating it wasn't a minor glitch but possibly a sensor malfunction or a burnt-out motor. Driving in this condition was out of the question, so I called for a tow truck right away. Regular maintenance, like avoiding spraying water into electronic compartments when washing the car and monitoring battery voltage periodically, can help prevent such failures. Safety comes first—when the steering stiffens and turning becomes difficult, the risk of accidents increases. Never cut corners on this; it's not worth the risk.
I'm an enthusiast who loves studying automotive circuits. When the electric power steering warning light comes on, I first handle it calmly by immediately pulling over, turning off the engine, and waiting a few minutes before restarting—this system reset might resolve temporary interference. If that doesn't work, I check the EPS-related fuses in the fuse box and replace any blown ones with spares. Then, I use a digital multimeter to test the battery voltage; if it's below 11 volts, it needs charging. Sometimes, the wheel speed sensor just needs cleaning, which I can do myself with a dry cloth. However, if the issue persists, it indicates a control module failure, requiring a professional shop to read the fault codes for repair. To minimize risks, I avoid excessive circuit modifications in daily use.
