joe11793

Has anyone disassembled the EPS control unit for the 2004 rx8? Or do we know anyone who rebuilds them? I opened mine up but getting the top circuit board out is not happening and I feel there is a trick that an experienced member may know. Thanks!

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

not really sure what part/section you’re referring to. Either pictures or diagrams might help.

the only person I know on here who ever did any internal repair work on the EPS is member “nycgps”

this video is somebody who gutted out part of an EPS for a track car, but the part you’re referring to may not be addressed




got one recently myself to try and take apart, but haven’t messed with it yet. Maybe we can try and coordinate an effort, but again it’s not clear what you’re specifically referencing in your request.
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joe11793

I am talking about the controller that site under the engine ECM, just left of the battery. It opens easily enough and some screws come out of the main PC board, but it is still held in place so you can't see the parts underneath it. If those parts are smoked, they are likely to be easily replaced. The PC board is a little harder to work on and hopefully there is no damage there. But I just want to get a look first underneath. Maybe I will also reach out to nycgps and see he has done this. Thanks, Joe

I am talking about the controller that site under the engine ECM, just left of the battery. It opens easily enough and some screws come out of the main PC board, but it is still held in place so you can't see the parts underneath it. If those parts are smoked, they are likely to be easily replaced. The PC board is a little harder to work on and hopefully there is no damage there. But I just want to get a look first underneath. Maybe I will also reach out to nycgps and see he has done this. Thanks, Joe

Loki

iTrader: (1)

What is the problem you're trying to solve? Taking the control module apart sounds like a long way to find out that isn't the problem.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

sorry for not recognizing it; we’d typically call it the EPS control module.

most people just swap it out and it’s likely to be less cost than a repair, but that may depend on whether it then requires having to program in the module for the CAN system to recognize it. I thought that it did have to be programmed, but there’s a thread on here where somebody else opened one up and found blown circuits. So he replaced it with a used one and it seemed to be ok. Not sure if he just didn’t mention going to a dealer or not:


https://rotaryresurrection.com/produ...ontrol-module/

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joe11793

Hi Loki
The problem is the EPS light comes on and you lose power steering. And then it comes back and works for a few days. I played with the connectors a few days ago and then it was fine. Today I drove it on a rainy NY day and it was still working, but after fueling up, the steering had failed again.
I suspect the wiring between the torque sensor and the EPS control module, or leading to the motor on the steering rack. But since the control module is easily opened, I wanted to look for any obvious electronics damage. Of course, getting the control module fully apart is not as easy as it looks, so I was looking for someone who had done it. I will probably bypass the connectors so as to eliminate them as a cause. (The hardest part of that job will likely be getting that airbox out of the way. That has been a pain working around.)
Joe