Steering problem
 

Hi. Have anyone had problems with its steering when first start-up in the morning or when car is cold? Continuously I'm having this problem.

Basically it consist of excesive resistance to the steering movement when the car is cold. Sometimes you feel some shaking of the front when beginning to perform the steering movement to any side. I checked out the service manual but seems to be pretty complicated and too technical for me. Initially I though that it was related to steering lubrication but as I understood from the service manual, the steering systems seems to be electrical. Also checked oem parts to try to determine which one may be causing the issue. The tie rods, which are the only low cost parts, seems to be fixed parts. So that leave me with 2 heavy $$$$ parts: the control module and the steering gear.

Any idea or previous experience from anyone?

I am having this similar problem these 3 days... The steering shudders in the mornings whichever direction you turn but only once. It feels normal after that. Love to have some imput on this issue too... Thanks

check for power steering connections.
there might be moisture in the plugs.

^.....and that might soon be followed by no power steering at all...any time.
It's time to possibly look at those as Jason points out. Might be wet when first starting out.
You park this car outside?

Do a search, there are plenty of threads to show you were the connectors are and how to clean them. This isn't the typical failure mode scenario but it's worth a shot!

Yeah, that's true, I had that issue for a few weeks after I replaced my radiator. I must have pulled hard on the harness (ones with the grey wires to the right), I cleaned and cleaned the contact points and tightened the connector.

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...ine=1357321883

mine also have the same problems.... only when it is cold

Better start early with your Spring Cleaning!

Mine does the same thing in the morning...It's like a possessed steering wheel...When I turn it all the way to the right, there's just a very strong resistance...Once I start turning it left, it starts jumping and turning completely on its own...After that, it usually stops...This has been going on for over a year now...Although now the resistance to the right is pretty much always there as of recently, just not nearly as bad as when I first start my car and let it warm up...Cleaning the sensors didn't make a difference...Ehh...I'll fix it eventually.

Search using the words: Power Steering Failure. You will come accross a DIY that will show you which leads to clean, not just the two connectors I have in my picture. Otherwise, purchase a new harness.

Try this DIY - https://www.rx8club.com/do-yourself-...g-pics-223713/ or warm up your car then turn your steering all the way to the left then right back to normal before drive...Heard that from some old timer said this may make your steering last a little longer...

That procedure is for recalibrating the car's EPS when you disconnect power from the battery.

Yes,it's same like recalibrate but old timer said it can also make your steering last longer too...Just like warming up your engine b4 drive...

I don't know what "old timer" is smoking, but it doesn't.

so anyone hasnt find anything clue and solutions to this cold start eps problem?
i just might have a solution... but let me try the thing for a month then i will post a thread

There are solutions:
1. Clean the contact points(harness), which is what is discussed in this thread!
2. Hard wire(solder) the connections.
3. Purchase and replace the harness and/or module.

i did all that... still dont work...
and now seems to me that all the eps problems solved after i changed the battery to a better one... which is panasonic.. i just bought and dealer 2 weeks ago and all still well till now...
it seems that the old battery power suply wont work perfectly at cold temperaqture... due to the base on the konvensional elements which is still using water.... zzzzzz
hope u guys also get solved.... thanks
some of my friends in my country who is also have the same problems also solved by changing their batteries... and they changed to optima red top or blue top