Power steering failure
07-01-2017, 08:10 AM
#41
It is no fun to have power steering fail but those failures also occurred regularly with the older hydraulic assist systems. In addition to a failure of the pump or hoses all it takes with those systems is a stalled engine or broken belt and with the "hydraboost" system used on many GM pickups you lose both power steering and power brakes simultaneously since brake boost is via the steering pump.
In the past GM has had issues with the electric assist steering system failing due to improperly tightened connections during initial assembly. If a number of 2017 vehicles begin to have steering failures I would not be surprised to see the diagnosis of a power feed issue due to poor voltage source or ground connections.
In the past GM has had issues with the electric assist steering system failing due to improperly tightened connections during initial assembly. If a number of 2017 vehicles begin to have steering failures I would not be surprised to see the diagnosis of a power feed issue due to poor voltage source or ground connections.
07-01-2017, 09:33 AM
#42
Burning Brakes
Glad to hear you are getting some traction with the issue. Hopefully something has been changed/upgraded for the units being used now verses the units they started using in 2017, for if not, it would seem the one you are going to get is the same/a carry over from 2017.
07-01-2017, 09:35 AM
#43
Burning Brakes
07-01-2017, 09:54 AM
#44
Safety Car
Member Since: Jan 2014
Location: Walhalla South Carolina
Posts: 4,450
Received 845 Likes
on
592 Posts
Well, it worked immediately for Rick (see post #17). Every CEO or agency head I've reported to has a staff specifically tasked with running down these types of issues.
The key is to write a polite letter leaving out all emotion and simply stating key facts that can easily be verified by her staff. Yes, a lot of whack job letters get weeded out, but the sensible ones usually get immediate attention.
You would be amazed how fast subordinates snap into action when the CEO's office calls and starts asking questions.
The key is to write a polite letter leaving out all emotion and simply stating key facts that can easily be verified by her staff. Yes, a lot of whack job letters get weeded out, but the sensible ones usually get immediate attention.
You would be amazed how fast subordinates snap into action when the CEO's office calls and starts asking questions.
07-01-2017, 09:57 AM
#45
Safety Car
Member Since: Jan 2014
Location: Walhalla South Carolina
Posts: 4,450
Received 845 Likes
on
592 Posts
Well, it worked immediately for Rick (see post #17). Every CEO or agency head I've reported to has a staff specifically tasked with running down these types of issues.
The key is to write a polite letter leaving out all emotion and simply stating key facts that can easily be verified by her staff. Yes, a lot of whack job letters get weeded out, but the sensible ones usually get immediate attention.
You would be amazed how fast subordinates snap into action when the CEO's office calls and starts asking questions.
The key is to write a polite letter leaving out all emotion and simply stating key facts that can easily be verified by her staff. Yes, a lot of whack job letters get weeded out, but the sensible ones usually get immediate attention.
You would be amazed how fast subordinates snap into action when the CEO's office calls and starts asking questions.
07-01-2017, 12:50 PM
#46
Melting Slicks
I would not drive a car with an eps that intermitantly loses assist. That is a safety and liability concern. All the engineering jargon does not make up for the fact that these cars are losing assist, for whatever reason. Sounds like the eps programming needs to be rewritten. The engineers at GM have to get to the root cause and come up with a solution. I see enough track day C7s that have experienced this and GMs fix all is a modified C6 rear brake duct to move air onto the eps motor. I haven't seen a failure like this on a car on the street. I'm not sure which of the two scenarios would be more scary.
07-01-2017, 05:10 PM
#47
Corvette Enthusiast
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Troy & Dearborn, Michigan
Posts: 5,343
Received 921 Likes
on
614 Posts
Originally Posted by 3X2
I would not drive a car with an eps that intermitantly loses assist. That is a safety and liability concern. All the engineering jargon does not make up for the fact that these cars are losing assist, for whatever reason. Sounds like the eps programming needs to be rewritten. The engineers at GM have to get to the root cause and come up with a solution. I see enough track day C7s that have experienced this and GMs fix all is a modified C6 rear brake duct to move air onto the eps motor. I haven't seen a failure like this on a car on the street. I'm not sure which of the two scenarios would be more scary.
Most cars used to have 8-10kN rack
loads at end of travel, the norm today is 12-16kN for performance cars. The Corvette is actually pretty low at 9kN (base car).
So you gotta fix the cars. Not the system, hydraulic wouldn't work well at 16kN either.
07-01-2017, 10:51 PM
#48
Pro
I have pictures of the DIC for both occasions but if the dealer can't find a fault code they won't do a thing, they just write "can't duplicate". I've not taken it in yet for the second failure so I don't know if there are codes on this one or not.
07-02-2017, 10:28 AM
#49
Corvette Enthusiast
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Troy & Dearborn, Michigan
Posts: 5,343
Received 921 Likes
on
614 Posts
Originally Posted by VistaVette
I have pictures of the DIC for both occasions but if the dealer can't find a fault code they won't do a thing, they just write "can't duplicate". I've not taken it in yet for the second failure so I don't know if there are codes on this one or not.
I'd check your grounding screw (it's near the ABS module) and verify its attached snugly.
07-02-2017, 12:01 PM
#50
Melting Slicks
ou sound like you have intimate knowledge of Corvette systems. Is the rack under designed? Not enough heat sinks or cooling? or??? Why isn't it software issue? Ford offers a reprogrammed Mustang eps rack that eliminates loss of assist under racing conditions. Why not GM,or at least a cal that can be done via GDS2? Same as Chevrolet Performance Parts offering the Z06 brake upgrade for Stingrays, but failing to also offer a cal for the ebcm to use the Z's brakes to their fullest. We have many customers who have C7's, and other than the modified C6 brake duct, what else can be done to keep from loosing assist?
07-02-2017, 12:15 PM
#51
Pro
I don't think that's the issue though based on a two factors:
1. It happens only during specific situations. A ground would occur anytime the connection was lost, which could be at any speed or condition
2. Two others that we know of are having the exact same issue
Last edited by VistaVette; 07-02-2017 at 12:17 PM.
07-02-2017, 01:29 PM
#53
Pro
The following users liked this post:
JerryU (07-02-2017)
07-02-2017, 02:14 PM
#55
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: NE South Carolina
Posts: 29,490
Received 9,621 Likes
on
6,626 Posts
That is the terminal I used (as did many) to install my catch can bracket in my C7! Was concerned about conductivity with the terminal and painted bracket on the same bolt so replace the bolt with a stud and moved that ground wire to one forward of it. Although not shown in your pic, just checked my Grand Sport and it is there, forward of #2 in your pic.Recently several posts of steering shutting down attributed to mounting the bracket and ground on the same bolt!
If no catch can bracket, agree with your suggestion! Would use sand paper etc and clean both surfaces. Would also remove the battery ground terminal, clean and tighten.
Following pics are from my catch can install PDF:
Moved ground to one forward.
Replaced bolt with stud. Made can removal easy for cleaning.
Last edited by JerryU; 07-02-2017 at 02:18 PM.
07-03-2017, 03:09 PM
#56
Pro
Update: (I'm the OP on the other thread: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-failed-2.html)
Code came back for this latest failure as the steering positioning sensor; I have an appointment on Thursday to have it replaced
Code came back for this latest failure as the steering positioning sensor; I have an appointment on Thursday to have it replaced
07-03-2017, 04:36 PM
#57
Drifting
I remember reading about similar power steering failures in the 5th gen Camaros. The steering rack was the culprit. At least one owner had his car replaced after an accident. I don't think there were many comments about the accident, which may have been due to legal reasons. Owners complained they couldn't steer the car during the failure. It's scary to read about a similar problem in the C7.
Last edited by lgodom; 07-03-2017 at 04:37 PM.
The following users liked this post:
911Hunter (07-23-2017)
07-07-2017, 10:45 AM
#58
Update: The GM rep was able pull a unit off the assembly line and it is currently being shipped to the dealership. It should arrive on Monday and promptly replace the defective unit. If all goes well, I should be able to pick it up on Tuesday after they complete a comprehensive road test.
The following 2 users liked this post by daixloxbmw:
bjones7131 (07-07-2017),
Foosh (07-07-2017)
07-08-2017, 04:49 PM
#59
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Down south in Dixie
Posts: 6,801
Received 2,639 Likes
on
1,702 Posts
For those that may need Ms. Barra's email is: mary.barra@gm.com
You will get a reply along with a call from a Rep. to open a case file for you. I highly suspect Ms. Barra never saw my email, but I did get some movement. Good luck.
You will get a reply along with a call from a Rep. to open a case file for you. I highly suspect Ms. Barra never saw my email, but I did get some movement. Good luck.
