I start up the car this morning at 6:30 a.m. and start to back out of my driveway. I try and turn the car and find it very difficult to turn for some reason...then I realize my stereo is not powering on. I think ok, this sucks but I have to get to work. So as I'm driving I also notice eventually that the car isn't warming up either. My heater is dead...man oh man I was pissed this morning. I replaced the fuse under the hood that was blown when I got to work but I still don't have any steering...

Any ideas?

 

Our power steering is electric...try unplugging the battery for fifteen minutes and reset everything...if that don't work...head to the stealership

 

I've tried that several times...no luck.. I don't have a warranty anymore either..

 

Then you sir sound a bit boned...

 

LAWL I agree

 

check the fuse.

i blew one working on a friend's balt's radio, and the power steering went out as well.

there are, i think 2 that could blow when that goes

 

It's most likely not the fuse...however I didn't know there was a second one somewhere, I'll have to look into this...

 

Verify the power steering motor has self-contained oil. Even though it has electric steering it has a self contained unit that lubricates the gears used for steering. It's suppose to be non serviceable but if you remove the column you will see it closer to the hole by the firewall. If it's leaking or "was" leaking and has no more self contained oil you burned the pump up then. It usually leaks out of a bolt that holds the self contained box together.

A new steering column if the pump is burned out is necessary and usually costs somewhere around $1,000 with the new airbag.

I know this cause it happened to me when I lost my power steering. Fuses were OK.

 

Ya can buy just the motor asm with part of the column by itself without buying the whole column.

Here's the new number for the motor asm.

25831501 - COLUMN KIT-STRG
Dealer Price $350.55 List Price $615.00 Trade Price $461.25

 

Ok I've narrowed it down. the fuse for the motor is fine, however I keep blowing the fuse inside the car for the EPS/STR WHL CNTRL(2A)... I have no idea why this keeps blowing, I've tried up to a 10amp fuse here and it still instantly blows the fuse and I still have no power steering.

 

The fuse issues must be some kind of ground issue. Check to ensure all grounds are OK. It doesn't blow unless it's not got a properly seated connection. Try a bigger size fuse?

 

I'm gonna reground the motor when I get home., this will be the second time I've had to reground the stupid steering motor!!! GRRR

 

Did you look closely at the wiring and connector at the motor? I have heard of several owners who had issues with hitting their big azz feet against the wiring and unseating the connector. If you are blowing a fuse right away, you might have a broken or shorted wire on that harness. There is no pump or oil associated with this system. It it gear driven and grease filled.

 

Try this too, worth a shot.

Subject: EPS/STR Wheel Control Fuse (19#) Open - keywords cntrl EPS fuse19 inop inoperative int power stg steering system whl #PIC4578A - (08/23/2007)

Models: 2005-2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

2006-2008 Chevrolet HHR

2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit (Canada Only)

2007-2008 Pontiac G5

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This PI was superseded to add second area for inspection, and add 2008 Model years. Please discard PIC4578.

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The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:
A customer might complain that their power steering system is in "Default mode" and/or their Steering Wheel Radio Controls are inoperative. A condition has been identified through TAC cases that there is a common area for a wiring Short To Ground (STG) that could cause the EPS/STR Wheel control fuse to open.

Recommendation/Instructions:
There are two locations for wiring concerns:

First check for a STG in circuit # 1539 (PNK) wire behind the radio. This circuit has reportedly been shorted on the radio mounting bracket, and just below the radio bracket almost to the BCM mounting location.

Note: For ease of locating this STG remove the radio, HVAC control head, and the upper console trim panels and inspect for wiring/brace contact.

Second check for a STG in circuit # 339 (PNK) wire behind the drivers side air bag.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

 

That is the answer I've been looking for !!!! thanks!!!

 

You're welcome, bein a GM Tech does have it's advantages.

 

pretend rep for good knowledge. I knew it had to be something ground related.

 

I'm actually quite relieved. This happend to me once before and I figured out it was a ground issue so I regrounded the entire steering colmn. I guess I was on the right track but I didn't think to trace the wires into the radio. I would have never found that one.

 

So you got it working again?

 

I'm still at work and I won't have a chance to work on it till I get home since I blew about 10 fuses trying to get it to just WORK.

I get to drive home with no power steering again, yay for me!!

 

I finally got everything working again. it was my amp that killed everything, it's blown, go figure...bye bye $350

 

Well that sux. At least it wasn't a wiring issue you'd have to dig for I guess, would have been a helluva lot cheaper though.

 

What's the deal with the MS Word from the hood