[wkristen]

This has been asked about before... I wanted to speak to someone at Hyundai tonight, but alas they're closed for the next 2 days. Their phone line also closed at 7pm. So with my bad timing, I'm looking for some advice in the mean time. My mum has been driving my car tonight, the Eps light came on late this afternoon and she drove from A to B no problem. She's left the car off for over an hour and the light was still on on start up. She drove it home after having it checked by roadside assist and it was fine. I've not driven a car without power steering for over 10 years so am not looking forward to potentially having to for the next 2 days with my 3 month old in the back seat. What would you all do? Drive the car anyway until it's able to be looked at, and just be prepared for the power steering to stop at any time? Or not drive it at all? I'm even thinking about hiring a car as driving my car with this problem with my son in the back makes me nervous.

[GaKu]

I too had the EPS light come on about 2½ years ago for a day. It went away on its own. My theory was the cold temperatures must have messed with the sensors since it was close to 0 that day.

[Dazzler]

If no sign of a problem with the steering I would use it sparingly.  Fingers crossed it is nothing serious. 

[wkristen]

If no sign of a problem with the steering I would use it sparingly.  Fingers crossed it is nothing serious. 

Fingers crossed indeed! I just had the bush in the steering column replaced about a month ago, so there is still a possibility it's a computer glitch from rewiring everything

[tw2005]

So it's definitely EPS light not the ESP off light that's on?

[wkristen]

So it's definitely EPS light not the ESP off light that's on?

Definitely EPS

[Dropic Son]

Hi. If the power steering is suspect, I would suggest that you drive it only to a service center, and cautiously. Not with anyone else on board. Especially a young child.
Driving a car without (never had) power steering is MUCH easier than steering a car with failed PS. Even the massive adrenaline rush that would accompany a sudden failure would be poor compensation for the sudden urgency of massive extra strength.

Purely from the point of not putting your youngster (or yourself) at risk, I would suggest a hire car.

[nzenigma]

If no sign of a problem with the steering I would use it sparingly.  Fingers crossed it is nothing serious. 

Fingers crossed indeed! I just had the bush in the steering column replaced about a month ago, so there is still a possibility it's a computer glitch from rewiring everything

Lots of theory by the terrified to terrify another. 
roadside checked and said drive on 
The bush replacement has been ignored in all the chatter. Glad you mentioned it. 
We need to reset steering centre when its done. Get it re- centred in case not done correctly.
Also feel to see if steering is still powered when ignition is off. Will draw battery power. Take neg lead off battery then replace, EPS will stop drawing.

[wkristen]

So after sitting in the carport overnight, I turned the car on this morning and the EPS light flashed. I then later drove it down to the local shops on my own (5 minutes away), with the EPS light solid, and had no problems. Was cautious all the same.  I'm now really starting to wonder whether it's computer related more so than physical as it's now spent two days with the EPS light on, but no PS failure - yet.

[wkristen]

Also, just rang my local Hyundai centre, even though I could only speak to the sales department (which is obviously not 100% reliable), I was told it should be safe to drive as it still drives fine despite the light being on. The guy I spoke to was asking someone in the background that I hope knows what they were talking about. They believe it to be the sensor that is causing the trouble.

[nzenigma]

after sitting in the carport overnight, I turned the car on this morning and the EPS light flashed. I then later drove it down to the local shops on my own (5 minutes away), with the EPS light solid, and had no problems. Was cautious all the same.  I'm now really starting to wonder whether it's computer related more so than physical as it's now spent two days with the EPS light on, but no PS failure - yet.

You haven't mentioned above "Also feel to see if steering is still powered when ignition is off. Will draw battery power...."

tw2005 asked EPS or ESP light. We have both dealt  with issues such as failed bush and brake switch.
Generally, the ESP will be the first to light, we have had both ESP and EPS and just EPS.
If you disconnect  the battery -ve for 30 mins. the computer may reset. When reconnected, ESP will be on, drive through left / right turns. Then ignition off and back on. System is reset.

[Dropic Son]

...and you may not experience a failure.
The light itself is telling that there is something abnormal in the system. It might be something simple and innocuous, such as a minor sensor glitch, or it might be indicating an impending failure of the assistance system itself.

Given that roadside has had a look, but what was their advice? Ignore it, or have it checked?

Ultimately, no-one here can diagnose accurately without the appropriate access and equipment (I dropped my crystal ball and it broke) so please, use your best judgement to stay safe.

Best regards,

[nzenigma]

...and  @wkristen  is going back to the dealer with this? Watch your wallet! Plenty to read here about steering column issues. No doubt they only charged you $220 to change the bush as we have already advised. 

[tw2005]

I'd be nervy too but if it's behaving normally then I guess as Dazz suggests if you must drive it do it if no other choice.

The fact you know something is up and that it could quit is a plus because if the steering goes heavy then you won't be in a panic and can react according even if you simply slow down and pull over. It's mainly going to be a challenge if you in the middle of turn.

It's designed to be able to be manual operated withhout assistance but I'd expect it to be pretty heavy.

Will require them to hook up and get the codes to know what's happening.

bad news is there is nothing repairable at dealer level apart from that bush which was  tech bulletin.

So, if it's the angle sensor or anything else they'll be quoting a complete column, bottom line that's not an option.

Depending on what it is likely you'll need to source a used complete column. I'm seeing $450 on Ebay

You may also then consider swapping the bush over from yours or replacing it before install to maximise life and durabilty there otherwise you may get a unit thatis about to need the bush and then it's all that labour again to remove it and replace.

Stitch in time saves 9.

Whoever does it will need the diagnostic tools to reset / recalibrate the center position otherwise the ESP off will remain illuminated.

The angle sensor to may knowledge, nothing can be done, if it's the controller unit I have also spotted one of those for a $100 , again not a replaceable unit.

Ironically for the GD it is listed as a serviceable item, likely they learnt from FD.

From what I could work out you're in Cairns, othewise if you were in SE Q I could have hooked up to it and got the error codes.

If Fulcrums  Cairns lives up to the standards of Fulcrums HQ or Ipswich branch, could be worth giving them a call first. They may have the diagnostics and also more likely to have Aftermarket solutions .

Fulcrum Suspensions | Australia's #1 Suspension Specialist

I found Trinity Hyundai helpful on the phone when I was stuck for a part on a trip.

[nzenigma]

all good and supporting the other posts mate. although, should remember the bush worth $5 (inflated to $25 by dealer) would hardly be worth the effort of swapping, but thats only the Samford perspective 

[tw2005]

all good and supporting the other posts mate. although, should remember the bush worth $5 (inflated to $25 by dealer) would hardly be worth the effort of swapping, but thats only the Samford perspective 

confused, if the columnn needs replacing and has new bush, is it not better to put the newest bush in? Or are you saying cough up a few bucks and get another  new one?

Sorry my post is about 3 hrs late due to an urgent task I had to attend to.  had it drafted and got , well excited  You will see in hall of PM

[wkristen]

- I hadn't read previous replies until after I'd spoken to Hyundai. Also, my mechanic isn't open today so I was looking for some extra knowledge from Hyundai to get me through until Monday as they're open until 1.
- The bush replacement was $300 ish by my mechanic. I didn't go through Hyundai for the replacement. I had known how much the bush itself costs, but there was no way I was having it replaced unless by a mechanic with all the wires in there.
- Roadside said what he's supposed to recommend is to get it towed to Hyundai, but personally he said he'd drive it.
- Both ESP and EPS lights are on. But I'd say that if there's no PS then it would make sense for the ESP light to turn on too.

Thank you all for your replies. Will take it easy with the car. But still considering a hire car possibly from tomorrow as I'm not keen driving to the airport and back on Monday with my son in the back despite either possibility.

[nzenigma]

Ok good, new info- with both lights on its almost certain to be simple job of centring the steering- 5 minute job while you wait.

 

[nzenigma]

@tw2005 , As you can see I visited the Great Hall. 
Also, I did mean get another $5 bush, but you know me, compulsive spendthrift.

[wkristen]

Ok, an update for you all. I didn't take it to Hyundai in the end, but instead took it to my regular mechanic who replaced the bush in my steering. He simply reset the steering angle which has turned the eps and esp off lights off. He also mentioned to bring it back should they turn back on again and they'll plug it back into the computer again.

[nzenigma]

I really appreciate you coming back with the end result .  Thanks,  it will help others who have the same problem.
 On a personal note, I feel that our combined input validates my past posts , opposed to some of the more hysterical opinions above, 

[Dazzler]

Thanks for that. good to hear.