Power steering motor short???
 

So I have been reading the issues with the eps on the rx8. I have tried cleaning all the connectors with no luck. I finally gave in and took it to the dealer and have been told that the motor has a short and needs to be replaced (1600$) and the the eps module is also is coming up bad but if not from the motor will be 2000$. Has anyone actually heard of the motor actually being the problem. Also if it is a problem they are unsure if a used part will work since each piece is a programmed module. Any one have thoughts on used parts?

I have an 05 shinka 6 SPD. 76000km always well maintained. Have had a lot of electrical issues so far including heater panel which I resoldered. Had to clean traction control connectors and drivers seat airbag connector to make those work again. This particular problem started 3 months ago by failing while driving to work, restarted the car and all was good. Happened a couple more times then not again til last week. At first it would go away then it would persist then go away. But in the last couple days it has been constant, if I turned the wheel lots while starting the car it would be gone for maybe 15 min but now nothing will bring it back to life.

Do the usual fix first ( search)...if that doesn't work...pick up a used rack....there are likely tons in wreckers.....

Like Dannobre suggested, search.

This is a hot topic and there's even a sticky on this Series 1 - Troubleshooting.

Chances are you'll have to replace it though if you've already cleaned the terminals and connections with electrical cleaner. You can try soldering it but you have to know what you're doing then.

DONT USE BUTT Connectors, those dont work well.

and... Search :)

Did you do the steering wheel turning reset? All the way to the right and then all the way to the left.

Check your 60A Fuse as well.

Yes I've read all the threads that's kind of why I wanted to know if anyone had ever heard of motor shorting out and burning up the module. Every post seems to say no it's always the harness sometimes the rack and never the module. I guess I am going to pick up a used rack today ( I found one in all of the city ). Hopefully that works and hopefully it doesn't get ruined by the module if it's faulty ( that's my biggest fear). I rang out all the wiring an everything seems fine. I am getting up to 180 mv signals to the rack and 4.5 ohms resistance from the module and 1.5 from the motor. Mind you I don't know what the factory specs are.

I found a rack for a good price off a wreck that had the drivers side wheel bent. The rack doesn't look bent at all but reguardless has any one tried switching the motor over since it obviously will still be good. Does anyone know if there are all modules in the rack itself that might pose a problem ?

Sometimes it's the wiring harness that gave up. no matter how many times u clean it, it will always give u funny readings on the multimeter.

Ya that's what I keep reading which is why I really don't want to put out a bunch of money. But the power wire to the motor am
I supposed to be getting 14 Volts? I read one post that said they were getting that down there but I have less than a volteven with the car running.

if you are getting less than 13 volts to the eps --then that is your problem. Find out why?
It should be at system voltage all the time. Look how big those wires are--it takes a lot of current.

Check the fuse :)...it is a 60A one near the positive battery terminal in it's own little holder.

No power to rack = no worky ;)

​​​​​​I Know this thread is very old but I'm trying to figure out my power steering issue. I'll keep it as simple as possible. I've cleaned and greased the connectors at the rack, and the two plugs near the over flow tank. This didn't fix my issue. I am getting 10.2v through the black and yellow wire and nothing through the red while unplugged. When plugged in the 10.2v returns through the red wire. Am I supposed to be getting at least 12v there or is the EPS module sending 10.2v on purpose?


EDIT: POWER STEERING MODULE WAS BAD. RACK WAS WONKY TOO. REPLACED BOTH NOW WLL IS GOOD.

try this manual: https://www.rotaryheads.com/PDF/RX8/8Steering.PDF
(did not realise this was a 10 year old post, my bad)