Electronic power steering

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yello

Guest
Sorry, I know next to nothing about cars, can someone help me understand something....

My wife's Renault Scenic electric power steering has packed up. Renault dealer says Renault no longer make the part (it's a 2005, so possible) and a 2nd hand one can't be fitted because it needs to programmed to the car. I don't understand that. There are plenty of 2nd hand/refurbed EPSs available, and a number of businesses specialising in exactly that. Dealer is basically saying the car has to be scrapped for the lack of a simple part. Are they telling me porkies?

Other question; can the steering go when you're actually driving? Because the thought of that frightens the jeepers out of me.

Thanks in advance for any comments
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fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Go to an independant. You'll only lose power steering, not the ability to steer, but it will be very heavy.
 
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yello

Guest
Thanks for the reply. I'd say it is next to impossible to steer. I wouldn't want to drive it like that, it's be dangerous. Seriously. The break down truck driver needed several manoeuvres to turn it to get it onto the back of his truck.
 

Archie_tect

De Skieven Architek... aka Penfold + Horace
Location
Northumberland
Just looked on RenaultForums.co.uk,

It appears to be a fault with the steering column and some people have got Renault to pay for part of the repair...
see this thread extract:
chatters said:
hi there just started getting the same problem with my scenic 2004 dci, have been told it could even be a faulty alternator not telling the power steering the car is running, odd i know, did you get anything sorted .if so could you give me the bad news please....cheers graham...aka chatters
Hi there,

After taking the car to a private garage for repair I complained to Renault about the power steering and my dashboard failing.

They asked me to take the car back to the dealership for a diagnostic which they did not charge me for.

They stated that the diagnostic was stating that the fault still existed.

After much debate and complaining and haggling (first offer was 50%) they offered me a 70% discount on a steering column replacement which from memory was about £600.

I'd say go straight for a diagnostic and then contact renault complaints department. The Chap that I spoke to was great and got is sorted quite quickly...."

Good luck!
 
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yello

Guest
So just to be clear, are we saying that the dealer is not being truthful and EPS isn't programmed to a specific vehicle?
 
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gbb

Legendary Member
Location
Peterborough
While I know nothing specific about the programming I could see why the rack would need to communicate with the BCM, ECU etc. It would need to be calibrated, setting the extremes or points of travel with known values into the modules, seems a reasonable theory.
Connections, connectors, I'd be checking them for security and corrosion, an improbable reason to cause an issue...but a possible one.
 
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yello

Guest
While I know nothing specific about the programming I could see why the rack would need to communicate with the BCM, ECU etc. It would need to be calibrated, setting the extremes or points of travel with known values into the modules, seems a reasonable theory.

Yes, I could see that too. It certainly makes sense to me.

My confusion is that I don't understand why the dealer is saying that it can't be done. There are companies that do it, and they sell refurbed units. They buy your old EPS, refurbish it and stick it on their shelves for the next punter. I've seen such parts for sale on the web specifically for the make/model/year. So I'm baffled. Yet the dealer says it can't be done. What am I missing?
 

Bazzer

Setting the controls for the heart of the sun.
As recommended upthread, I would speak with an independent specialist. They are also likely to be considerably cheaper than a dealer. Alternatively, or in addition to, speak with a couple of the refurb suppliers an ask if it is a fit and forget item, or what else is necessary to make it work. If the unit has electronics which need to communicate with your ECU for other functions to work properly, the supplier is likely to know.
My knowledge of modern cars is mainly VW, but some quick research suggests your car is likely to have an OBD2 sensor. However given the age, model and manufacturer of the car, this may be a limited diagnosis and resetting tool. For example, servicing or if safety critical equipment is changed such an an airbag. - Unlike more recent cars where the OBD2 can in some instances be used to customise how individual parts of the car operate.
 
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yello

Guest
Because Renault no longer make the unit, it's a fifteen year old car, they're not interested.
The after market refurbished units are an entirely different proposition and not recognised by Renault.

Thanks for that. That's sort of what I was figuring. I've certainly got the impression they're not interested as they not going out of their way to be helpful. I reckon his story about them not being able to program the EPS is basically him telling me to piss-off.

@Bazzer (and others) Yes, I'm going to take it to an independant. I'm in the process of finding a tow truck. And, yes, an after market part is significantly cheaper. The Renault dealer quoted €2500 for a genuine but, as I mentioned, they can't get one anyway. He then quoted €800 for an approved refurb, which he then tells me he can't get either. I've seen the same brand of refurb for €250! And others around the same price, give or take.

I'm half expecting that any after-market refurbed unit will cause the ECU to complain, issuing some kind of error. Hopefully, that can be cleared down and I'll be good to go. Fingers crossed. I have an ODB2 reader and an app on my tablet. It's only obviously basic/generic but I have cleared errors down before (on my own car) so it might clear down/reset errors on the Renault.

I know now that the Scenic 2 has a known history of electrics problems, notably EPS, so I guess it's only to be anticipated with this one at 15 years olds.
 
You may want to go directly to an independent auto electrician, who often repair units that main dealers assume need replacement. Many of them operate out of a van and will come to your home.
 

byegad

Legendary Member
Location
NE England
The electronic failure of a chip control unit is often the reason for a scrapping.
My 2 yr old 1997 Clio stopped ticking over, even cutting out mid gear change. It would start and run if you blipped the throttle continually when not moving. It was a chip failure, replaced under warranty, but in 1999 a £250 part, plus labour. Add on 20 yrs worth of inflation of prices and depreciation of the car's value and it would be a repair costing more than the car's worth.
 
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