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MG MGF Technical - Chattering EPAS relay

After being mothballed since Christmas, my car had a new battery fitted.
Since then, whenever I turn on the ignition, instead of getting a single, quiet click from behind the pax dashboard, followed by the EPAS warning light extinguishing, what I assume is the EPAS BITE relay can be heard chattering irregularly for a few seconds.
Sometimes the system self-tests satisfactorily and everything is fine, on other occasions the light remains on and the steering reverts to gorilla-at-the-wheel mode.
Is this snag easy and cheap to rectify?
Bob

Bob hopefully somebody else who understands what a BITE relay is will read your thread. I can only pass on the attached notes from the manual. If all else fails RTFM as we say - or even visit your friendly MGR man who should be able to interrogate error codes.


EPAS ECU
The EPAS ECU is located above the glove box,
behind the fascia. The ECU is rubber mounted to a
bracket on the front bulkhead and is secured by a
bracket with two bolts to the body cross tube.
The EPAS system incorporates fail-safe devices
which cause it to revert to conventional manual
steering in the event of a system failure. The EPAS
ECU integral fault monitor sends a signal to the
electromagnetic clutch which disconnects the motor
mechanical drive to the column. Fault codes are
stored in the EPAS ECU memory, for identification
by TestBook.
If a fault occurs, the EPAS ECU illuminates the
EPAS warning lamp in the instrument pack. If, when
the ignition is switched off and back on again, the
fault is no longer present, the ECU will not illuminate
the fault lamp after the engine is started. The ECU
stores a fault code for the fault. If the fault does not
re-occur in the next twenty ignition cycles, the ECU
will erase the fault code.


Diagnostics
A diagnostic socket allows the exchange of
information between the EPAS ECU and TestBook.
The diagnostic socket is located in the passenger
compartment fusebox which is below the fascia on
the driver’s side.

JohnP

Oops, sorry John,
BITE = "Built-In Test Equipment" as in self-test.
Bob

Tnx Bob - bit like a POST then?
JohnP

The commonest EPAS fault seems to be related to poor terminal contacts at the ECU itself, Bob. Should be a simple case of removing the multiplug, and ensuring that the contacts are clean. Quick and easy - at least in theory.
Rob Bell

Weird....
Now the car's in more regular near-daily use, this problem seems to have cured itself. Wonder if that in itself is anything to do with the fault code being stored for twenty ign cycles only, although I have no idea how or why this would provoke repetition of the fault. Maybe it's a random vibration or bump has reseated the multiplug as you suggested doing Rob.
Thnx anyway.
Bob

Bob you had the chance - I offered to run your car on a daily basis while you were away but you insisted your mother would look after it! So far it's cost you a battery and an intermittently faulty EPAS.

OK OK I know you've fixed the battery and the EPAS seems to be OK again but what other problems has mother left for you?

memo to Bob's mother: only joking of course:-)
John Ponting

New battery and EPAS snag is small cost in return for numerous welfare parcels whilst I was away! ;-)
Bob

OK, latest update, have very technically wiggled the plugs on the EPAS ECU. Yet to see if things improve. Just to soften the blow, anyone know how much the EPAS box of wizardry costs?
MGRover chap who does all my servicing reckons "lots" :-(
Bob

This thread was discussed between 05/05/2003 and 07/05/2003

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