Ok for some reason, my Power Steering turns off while I am driving. Randomly, even when I'm not turning....

I know This car doesn't require power steering fluid(trust me, I looked everywhere under the hood, then I read the manual, stupid me)

So when I'm driving, I hear a loud click coming from my steering column, and then it shuts off, flashes power steering on the screen by the gauges. What is causing this??? anyone else know about stuff like it or had the same experience? what was wrong and how much did it cost to fix?

 

Is ur car still under warranty ? If so I would just take it in . If not , the best alternative , to me anyways ....would be to buy a complete column out of a wrecked cobalt . The Electric power steering module is mounted to the column in the car . This is the first Cobalt Ive heard to have probs , I know the earlier Ions had a issue but it was corrected .

 

I have an 08 also. As a matter of fact I was just looking at the Technicl service bullitens for the 08 Cobalt. There are only 5 of them and one deals with the electric power steering system so it sounds like this is a problem that GM is aware of.

 

I had the same problem with my 05 SS S/C. I had it go out once randomly like 2 years ago and it didn't happen again until about 5 months ago. Everytime I would drive the car more then 5 min I lost power steering. I had it replaced by a local shop that honored my GMPP. I paid $100 deductible and they ended up billing GM $1500 for parts and labor to replace the motor. What a f'ing brilliant design from GM. The shop had to pull out the entire column since it is all one assembly (steering column and ps motor). Then when they got the new column from GM the wheel would not align straight...also another issue GM knows about so they had to do an alignment as well. Moral of the story...buy the extended warranty or you are fucked.

 

yay.... I bought the car used and warranty is gone. If this is a problem GM knows about then they should pay to fix it. I donot have $1600 that I can just pull out of my ass to pay for this...... any suggestions on what I should do?

 

make sure the terminals are tight on the battery and the posts are clean. my power steering went out due to bad contact on the positive terminal

 

There is a '05 cobalt base modle to my job. My brainsergen co workers decided to jump start our forklift with it. Same thing, no power steering and the " power steering" warning kept comming up. We took it to our local dealership to have it fixed. Turns out it was the automatic transmission modual. Like $400 dollars later the car runs and drives fine. In some way the automatic tranny and power steering are linked together my that modgual.

Worst come to worst take to to a dealer and pay the dio. fee to have the system scanned.

 

Bulletin No.: 07-02-32-007

Date: August 20, 2007

INFORMATION
Subject:
Diagnostic Tips for Power Steering Inoperative/Steering Wheel Hard to Turn, Power Steering Message Displayed on DIC, DTCs C0176, C0475, C0476, C0550, U2105, U2107 Set

Models:
2005-2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
2006-2008 Chevrolet HHR
2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit (Canada Only)
2007-2008 Pontiac G5
2003-2007 Saturn ION

The following diagnostics might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the condition(s) described above. Use the appropriate recommendation based on what symptom has occurred.

Recommendation/Instructions

No DTCs

Review Corporate Bulletin Number 05-02-32-002B to assure you do not have a blown 60 amp steering fuse. The fuse can be blown during improper jump starting of the vehicle on the HHR and ION. Check for this particularly for tow in conditions. DO NOT replace the steering column unless an internal short has been identified in the column that is causing fuse to blow.

Power Steering Warning Message on DIC with DTCs C0176 and C0476

This condition is often the result of excessive lock-to-lock turns of the steering wheel, causing the thermal protection in the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) to take the steering motor temporarily off line. This is a normal operating characteristic of the system. DO NOT replace the steering column for this condition. Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 06-02-32-002B for additional information.

Power Steering Warning Message on DIC with DTC C0475 or C0550 in the PSCM with any other codes

First inspect the motor harness connection to the PSCM. If no connector problems are found, then replace the steering column as this is an internal motor issue.

Power Steering Warning Message on DIC with DTC U2105 and/or U2107 in the PSCM with any other U codes

Although the code(s) appear in the PSCM, these are communication codes and are not the result of a problem with the column operation or the control module. If the codes are in history, clear the codes and re-key the vehicle a few times to see if they come back. If they reappear, look for a communication issue from the BCM U2107 or ECM U2105 (wiring, connector, etc.) as the root cause. If the codes do not reappear after a test drive, return the vehicle back to the customer and DO NOT replace the steering column.

It could be a few things...I obviously had the worst case scenario. Hopefully yours will be something easy.

 

Mines just started doing this also I have a 2006 LS.

 

Ok I have looked around and seen that this problem is very very popular. There are post everywhere. Here is one in particular.

http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/che...MSUQB7V2DTH5JH

I really don't think this is something you have to pay for unless it is due to your own wear and tear, this seems like poor design. It also seems to pose a safety problem to. Lets say a young female is driving and this cuts off she may not be able to turn the wheel in time to avoid hitting someone. Hell I am 6'3" 215lb and former college athlete and I have problems turning the damn thing when the power steering cuts off. It once cut off while I was turning into the parking lot and it caught me off guard and I almost hit the car in the other lane cause I was not expecting that I would have to use all my strength to turn the wheel when I usually could just use a finger to turn the wheel.

 

For th e past three mornings I have been experiencing the same problem. It only happens when I start the car for the 1st time of the day and when i do I feel a vibration and power steering flashes on the DIC.

Once the power steering goes off it will be much harder to control the car, because the steering was made to be used with the power steering, not manual steering. On older cars with manual steering the steering system was made to be used with manual steering.

I don't want this happening while I'm driving so if it doesn't stop by this weekend, I'm taking it in.

I agree with the poster above, I'm 6'1" 227lbs and a weight lifter for almost five years and I have a damn hard time turning it when it acts up 1st in the morning.

 

HAHA man me too it happened like 2 times n den it just all of a sudden went away wen i turned the car off den on but it happend to me wen i was turning and dam.... im 5' 11" 250lbs and had a super hard time wit it lol .....

 

I took mines in to solve this problem. The guy told me there is a short in the steering column, so therefore the whole steering column had to be replaced. You should be fine if you are under warranty.

I was still under warranty, but I feel this should be covered even if your car is not under warranty. I think this is pretty dangerous !!!

Even at that particular dealership 4 people had brought there cars in for the same problem.

 

Does yours do this?

http://s138.photobucket.com/albums/q...t=20080406.flv