Ok I'm trying to figure out what went wrong here. Last night my gf and I are on our way to the phillies game, driving down 95, not like a jackass about 75mph just cruisin. All the sudden the power steering message flashes over the DIC and I like WTF!? of course no power steering till i pull into the lot to park.

Since the power steering is electric/motor on our car there was no fluid reservoir that i could see that would need to be filled like some others I owned. The manual didn't say jack except if this happens call the dealer till then youre basically SOL. So whatev I go in the game and on my way out all the sudden everythings fixed, power steerings back no problems whatsoever. Same thing on my way into work this morning, no issues.

So my question, should i have the dealer check everything to make sure its ok, and if anyone knows what might have went wrong thatd be helpful. Don't know if it was a short or something? Thanks

bump for some info

 

Make sure that the dealer records it on your file for your car for future problems.

 

I'm having the same problems, randomly the power steering icon shows up, i lose my power steering, but when i stop and restart the car, the steering is back on. Two days ago, happened 5 times in one day, then yesterday nothing at all, then today, when i was backing out of my garage, it went off, so i dunno whats wrong with it. Gonna take it to the dealer in a week or so if this keeps up, hopefully its nothign serious. A power steering unit is pretty expensive =/

 

i have the same problem i've been to the dealer 10 times...the replace my bcm...pcm and some other **** and no fix yet

 

Seems like alot of people are having this issue~ Take a look at this vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh0ND52icJk

Dude with a cobalt lost his power steering and crashed into a guard rail~
This problem kind of worries me
Anyone know what may be wrong with our power steering? Or has anyone had the same problem and got it fixed

 

It run buy wire and electronic and intermitten so anything as simple as a improper fitting connection (Bad pin in the wiring harrness) could cause this problem or a cold solder joint in the steering motor.
You would have to go through and gut the entire circut and analyze everything to find it most likely.

 

So nobody has found a fix for this yet? Basically were at the mercy of the dealership?

I've also noticed it comes on when the Aircon is on..............

 

this happened to me once.
its probably common sense but just incase any of you didnt, go check ur fuses, it could be broken but still touching.

 

Just a thought. This problem happened on my friend 05 Cobalt LS. I think we determined it was something with her ignition switch cause she could turn her car on and take the key out of the ignition(WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING) And after we fixed that she didn't have the problem anymore.

So maybe see if your car does that cause she said a guy at the dealership she bought it
from had a cobalt to and his key pulled out of the ignition while it was running just like her. He told her it was some feature the car had. I don't know its just an idea.

 

Update!!

I took my car to the dealership about a week ago and explained everything. at first they checked codes yada yada yada and wrote all kinds of bs down. Then told me to hang out, the tech thinks he knows the prob. So im waitin like 40 mins and then they're like we're gonna replace the whole steering column and itll be about two hours. So they gave me a rental and i went back to work. When i picked her up it was good to go and I havent had the problem since. I honestly cant say exactly what all the swap entailed and what caused the problem, I just know mine is fixed so far and I havent had the issue. Oh and thank god for the extended warranty!! No cost there.

 

i work at the dealer and i can drive 1 mile and mine comes on. it started today. about to go back and get it looked at by another tec... im haveing to play oil bitch while there all on vacation

 

Well, at first my car did it every now and then, and now it starts up like 10 seconds after i start up my car. My car does not have a warranty on the power steering anymore so this is going to be expensive if i have to pay for all of it. I've bought this car from a bishi dealership 2 months ago, and so far, the fuel injectors were faulty (covered by warranty), the brand new tires they had with the car were leaking air, and now this, so im hoping the bishi dealer will talk to the chevy dealer for me =/

 

im driveing like 300 miles tommrow with no power steering... : (

 

Strange thing is that my INTERCEPTOR used to trigger the power steering dash warning (and turn the power steering off) when I rewired it...it was also doing some other crazy things to my dash. I think it was a grounding problem. Anyway, check the fuse box in the cockpit and the engine to make sure everything is kosher...

 

Here is what i found on GM service info

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.

 

ya mines the code with the replace... ya it sucked. it was like almost 800 miles

 

my car does this too, on average about twice a drive.... so about 8 times a day max. All i do till i can get it scanned and looked at is when the power steering chime goes off and i lose power is reach down and feel the power steering motor to see if it is hot, which it never is, and turn the key to the off position and back on again, while driving. You don't want to do this in traffic or in a turn but during normal driving going strait it resets the power steering back to normal and all is good till the next time. Not really the best fix in the world but it works for the mean time. I'll post what the dealership reads for my codes when i get read.

 

this is bs i just had this happen to me yesterday when i was just cruzing around town, if anybody figures out what i can do to fix it please post it up. thanks

 

took mine to the dealer and they replaced the steering column under warranty. Still havent had the issue and its been a month. It used to happen all the time. I think theres somethin faulty with our cars.

 

Wow are you for freaking serious.. like the guy replacing computers and stuff wtf?

No its the steering column. the "column" has the electric pump and computer all attached to it.

The dealer TSB on this issue says to replace the PS wiring harness first (its 30 bucks) and if that doesnt fix it then replace the column.

The wiring harness thing is a lie though, its not a failure-prone part but we replaced it all anyways.
The steering column's list price is 500ish bucks, but I didnt pay that for it.. but the diagnosis is extremely easy, it took 5 mins of digging on the shop's Mitchell program.

Sorry, it sucks, i know, but its a problem across the board from the crap ass base cobalts to the ss/sc's. Usually they only do it when the car has higher mileage..