electric power steering failure at 560 miles!!

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Originally Posted by JayWS6

Hey guys.

Just had the PS issue happen to me with 3 days and 170 miles on the new 2SS Convertible. Completely bone stock. I don't even have tint yet lol.

Anyway, I was driving down the road in perfect conditions at about 45 mph. Possibly going around a slight bend. The power steering shut off, the service power steering message came up, and the brake, ABS, and traction lights all came on. The steering was more resistant than normal, but not terribly so.

When I got home, I turned off the car immediately and restated it the error and lights were still there. The next morning I got up to bring it to the dealer and it was back to normal. (of course). Have it at the dealer right now anyway.

I'll post an update if I get anywhere.

Also, is there a non ZL1 specific thread on this somewhere?

JayWS6,

My apologies regarding your power steering concerns. Although I understand your displeasure, it's great that you've proactively reached out to your dealer for an official diagnosis. Keep us in the loop and updated on your service visit. If necessary, I can contact the dealer's Customer Experience Managers if you have additional questions. We'll look forward to your updates .

William R.
Chevrolet Customer Care

[JayWS6]

Small update so far.

Had the car in the shop yesterday to deal with the problem. The gist of what I was told is that they followed the recommended GM first steps for this issue. There were some error codes which they cleared out. ok? They also reseated some connection after taking it apart and cleaning it. I was told that in most cases the issue did not return after these steps. If it did they will replace the EPS if necessary. I'd give better details but when I picked up the car after hours there was no paperwork.

One my way to work this morning it happened again. Same as last time except I was going completely strait and only about 20mph in traffic when I lost power steering. Continued like that for the rest of the way to work. After letting it sit till lunch, the error cleared and PS was restored.

Tried calling and ended up leaving messages with the tech twice, but despite being told he was there, I received no return calls.

I'll give them a pass just a little while longer as I always do in the beginning. Shit happens. But if this happens once more, it's going back in. I'm logging every detail. Took me too long to plan, save, and wait for this car to just drive it off the lot broken with a potential safety hazard.

[Z4me]

Mine was going out like that as well, and the more times the power steering went out the harder it became to turn the steering wheel. My advice is to drop it over at the dealership when the power steering goes out and leave the car running to let them see it. Then leave it there and let them work on it when they have the time, and ask them to take it on an extended test drive. My steering wheel problem normally occured after about 20 to 30 minutes of driving time.
Due to the cold weather in my area, my ZL1 has been off the road the past month or so. I did drive it a bit before that with no problems after an extended time with my mechanic (not dealership). He could not get the power steering to go out during that time, so I have no clue if it will come back in the spring time. The steering wheel gears were replaced twice already by the dealership and they were top notch as far as trying to fix the problem for me.
Good luck and let us know if they figure out the problem to help others.

[JayWS6]

I think my issue is solved.

So the day after my last update I had the power steering cut off while driving to work once again. Around lunchtime I went back out to my car to call the dealer and I noticed that now it would not start at all. When I turned the ignition, I got no response from the starter and all sorts of weird errors with the stabitrack and parking assist. The service engine light finally went on too. So now I'm thinking a global electrical issue instead of just EPS. Got towed into the dealer and sure enough they found that the main ground was very loose.

So far on my 3rd driving day with no more issues yet. Seems the power steering is super sensitive to any electrical ground issues at all and was merely the only thing to react in my car initially. Caused a world of hassle and aggravation, but if this is it, I'm just glad it was something so minor.

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by JayWS6

I think my issue is solved.

I sure hope so.

So the day after my last update I had the power steering cut off while driving to work once again. Around lunchtime I went back out to my car to call the dealer and I noticed that now it would not start at all. When I turned the ignition, I got no response from the starter and all sorts of weird errors with the stabitrack and parking assist. The service engine light finally went on too. So now I'm thinking a global electrical issue instead of just EPS. Got towed into the dealer and sure enough they found that the main ground was very loose.

To me, that's a scary unintended consequence of the ongoing push for every little scrap of improved fuel economy. Especially if any of the components in the main ground connection itself are aluminum.

So far on my 3rd driving day with no more issues yet. Seems the power steering is super sensitive to any electrical ground issues at all and was merely the only thing to react in my car initially. Caused a world of hassle and aggravation, but if this is it, I'm just glad it was something so simple to correct.

Fixed. No way should it be considered 'minor'.


Norm

[avcbm]

Originally Posted by Ricamaro

BINGO!!

"We found the “bug”, the advisor asked if there are any modifications to the vehicle, we told them no. After troubleshooting some power and ground circuits we noticed when the cold air intake we installed, the ground was moved. The location chosen was not sufficient ground for the steering circuit. Tech assist advised us that in some cases with grounds that were moved, would have intermittent loss of communication. When we re-ground the circuit, the communication comes back and everything works perfectly… your car will be done as soon as we put everything back together."

Just wanted to report I had a similar incident, I moved the negative ground cable about three weeks ago, and today I had the Power Steering issue, I 'moved the cable back to it's original location and all is well

[ADM PERFORMANCE]

EPAS PROBLEMS

Post and Threads

1.http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=368931

2.http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367987

3.http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=402656

4.http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=397829

5.http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...light=steering

6. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...light=steering

7.http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...light=steering

8.http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...light=steering

9.http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...=225187&page=4

INFOMATION:

Service Information
2012 Chevrolet Camaro | Camaro VIN F Service Manual | Document ID: 2831254
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#PIC5643A: PQC Part Restriction - Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Service Steering Message Displayed And Increased Steering Effort - (Apr 16, 2012)

Subject:

PQC Part Restriction - Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Service Steering Message Displayed And Increased Steering Effort
Models:2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This PI was superseded to update department contact information. Please discard PIC5643.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:
The DIC may display "Service Steering" in combination with an increase in steering effort and standard diagnostics may lead to steering gear replacement. As of 03/30/2012 Electronic Power Steering P/N 22848599 has been placed on restriction through PQC. This part restriction will allow Engineering to evaluate the fault while the steering gear is in the vehicle and prior to any repairs.

Recommendation/Instructions:

Important: Do not perform a Clear DTCs function.
Retrieve any stored DTC information from the Electronic Power Steering module. If any of the following DTCs are set (history or current) in the EPS module or you are unable to diagnose the cause DO NOT CLEAR DTC(s), STOP FURTHER SERVICE ACTIVITY, complete the questionnaire below and contact PQC for further action.•

DTC C0569
DTC C0475
DTC C056E
DTC C0545
DTC C056D
DTC C055C
DTC C0544
For all other concerns where the above DTCs are not set, follow the published service procedures to complete the repair. Should the repair require steering gear replacement, contact PQC to review the diagnosis and order the part.
Please complete this questionnaire prior to contacting PQC.
Customer’s concern:

What is the customer’s description of the concern?

How many times did the customer indicate the issue occurred?

During which of the following driving condition(s) did the customer have a steering concern?

Low Speed turn Y/N

Straight-away Y/N

On a rough road Y/N

Was the concern temperature related? Y/N

Was the concern weather related? Y/N

Did the concern occur during an engine start (cranking)? Y/N

Please list any other conditions (if applicable) when the concern occurred.

What are the current and/or history DTCs?

Is the vehicle still exhibiting the customer concern? Y/N

Has the vehicle been modified with any aftermarket accessories or options? Y/N

What SI document number was used during the diagnosis?

Have the wires/harnesses been checked for proper routing and free from damage, stretch, pinch, etc.? Y/N (If no, perform this inspection prior to calling PQC.)

Have the wires been checked for any damaged, loose, or disconnected connectors? Y/N

(If no, perform this inspection prior to calling PQC)

Have any wire connectors or terminals been disconnected or loosened and then re-torqued? Y/N

Has the EPS supply voltage been checked on both sides of the EPS Fuse? Y/N

IF Yes, what was the voltage with ignition OFF? ___ Volts

(If no, you need to check and record voltages with ignition OFF prior to calling PQC. This fuse is not accessible; it is molded into the EPS power cable between the Battery Positive Junction Block and the EPS motor. Measure voltage at both ends of the EPS power cable)

Have you made any other observations or have any recommendations of what may be causing this concern?

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION
© 2012 General Motors. All rights reserved.

Customer Comments from this forum:

Boy this could get old.
We were just getting home from a hour drive and just as we get to the house
bamm!!!!..No p/s this would not be too safe if my girlfriend is driving it.
I let it sit for for just a little while and we out and it worked again.
The way it came back as I started it was like it had a bad connection and came to life just as the car started.
Will call the dealer to see if they have seen this yet here in phoenix AZ


Now that I get the paperwork back it says ".7 hr. Diagnostics of DTC C0475\00 lead to PIC5643E. Per PIC5643E regrogram P/S control module. Clear DTC's and verify no DTC's reset at this time. Warr code 313E3"

[Red Hot ZL1]

Happened to me about three months ago, reset by itself overnight. Just happened again yesterday after getting gas, drove the two miles to the dealer and they have it. I'll show them the service document tomorrow and have them check the ground.

[Fraxum]

Having (perhaps) the same problem on my 2015 ZL1.

[Red Hot ZL1]

Got it back today. They said it was some loose connections.

[Shifty1]

Met you in traffic Red Hot... Glad you got it fixed...

[Red Hot ZL1]

Originally Posted by Shifty1

Met you in traffic Red Hot... Glad you got it fixed...

Drives like a dream, again. I did not realize how good these cars sound until you blasted off.

[ADM PERFORMANCE]

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...ERING+PROBLEMS

[Bosse'sBoss]

Is this EPAS situation & the ignition switch failures happening to all years ZL1s including '14 & '15 ? Do I need to ask my dealer if I have this issue?

Some posts apparently mentioned that in their cases, this happened after the installation of their CAI unit that somehow interfered with a main electrical grounding. Probably I will need to think about this one before planning to upgrade or not.