I did some more testing, im getting 14.9 ohms at the torque sensor. I determined that my harness must be creating extra resistance, my torque sensor plug under the airbox was not properly connected. I fixed that by cleaning the connector out. So I did some further testing according to the shop manual and determined I also had a dead short at the EPS module. I put my meter on conductivity and when both probes were on both female ends of the blue connector from the battery to the EPS module, it beeped meaning there is a short. But the weird part was, the EPS fuse never blew. So I removed the EPS module, opened it up, and it looked like a hand grenade was dropped in... There were 4 black "modules" for lack of a better term inside of it. Two of these were shattered. So obviously the EPS module has to be replaced, but I want to make sure I don't short out the next one I put in. And I have to fix that short still

 

I'd love to see some pictures of that. Luckily the EPS modules are pretty cheap used.

 

Yeah, Ill post some up tomorrow. But doesn't the EPS module have to be reprogrammed by Mazda? Or is that something they just say to detour you from doing it yourself?

 

Im sure you've already messed with this but I didn't see it anywhere in the thread... I had to cut mine all the way the the left and then right to get it to reset on one of the rx8's i bought to and then the power steering actually functioned


Just a thought

 

Here is the picture, my camera wouldn't quite focus properly. The two modules in the back are the ones that shattered. Ignore the torn wire from me prying it apart But all the tiny pieces of the things in the back came out as a was taking the picture.

 

Those are some pretty heavy duty transistors. I've never heard of one cracking, nevermind exploding like that. Usually they'll just melt.

 

Good job, I was wondering about the module since you had measured power going in but not out.


Yes, a replacement EPS module has to be programmed by a dealership tool to be recognized on the CANbus.





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nononono... miata parts is much more expensive here as mazda only released miata 2006up.

guess we'll just have to toughen up and muscle steering that ****. haha

 

Update- I bought a used EPS module, still trying to find the short.

 

Well once I looked at the wiring more, I didn't actually have a short. So I dropped the new module in and I had power-steering! I didn't even have to get it calibrated. Man those were the best 2 weeks of my life... So today I was idling in a parking lot in really heavy rain and I turned the car off (Still had EPS at this point) went into the store, came out started the car and now I have the power-steering light and no EPS. Any thoughts? I opened the ECU box and it is bone dry.

 

Cleaned & Dielectric greased the connectors, power steering works.