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MG MGF Technical - epas ecu unit

I have a 1997 vvc 24500 miles. Sometimes when I turn on the ignition the 'power steering' fails ( light also on dash). A clicking can be heard under the glove compartment. On removing the glove compartment I note that the clicking is coming from the EPAS ecu unit. Has anyone else experienced this fault?
I'm not too technically minded but I can only imagine the fault is within this unit. Can the unit simply be taken out and replaced or does it need to be reprogrammed in anyway? I probably cant afford the high MG Dealer charges so I'm looking for the cheapest way to rectify this problem.
Also, is it typical that this unit should fail after just 24500 miles?
Any help and advice is much appreciated.

kind regards

bryan
bryan


Hi Bryan,

IMO there is a much bigger chance that any of the connectors to/from the EPAS ecu are making somewhat sloppy contact than that the ecu itself is at fault.
An investigation of the connectors from steering-rack to the ecu as well as checking the fuses and ground connections for bad contact will probably fix the fault. At least for some time.... If not only a "Test-Book" run at the dealer will tell what´s wrong. As usually Dieters Tech site shows the type of connectors involved and where to find them .

BR, Carl.
Carl Blom

Intermittent 'sometimes' the same at my 99 made car. Samewhat of a rattling relay noise when starting. One month ago the EPAS was cut out for app. 3 miles before it got back activated and shut down the EPAS light.
I'd not looked after connections at my current MGF until now.

Please notice, you should see not only at the ECU but there is another interconection on the way from the ECU to the steering column. At the column down where the torque sensor sits is as well a connector.

Soem pix @ http://www./mgfcar.de/epas/

Dieter
Dieter K.

Bryan,
Check the connectors into the ECU and on the column very carefully - I had an intermittent EPAS problem, Testbook could not solve it, Rover suggested chabging the whole EPAS system! Upon visula inpesction it turned otu to be a damaged multipin connector.
If you need to try another EPAS ECU I think that I still have a spare one in the garage (if it didn't get lost in my recent house move!) - these are just plug and play.
Jason H
Jason H

Bryan

What you are describing sounds exactly the same as the problem I had, an hour after picking up my car from the garage!! At the time it was a 18mth old V reg.

It started as intermittent and then stopped working permanently. As Jason says testbook couldn't solve it, but as the car was still under warranty MGR changed the whole unit, but it took them no time at all so you should be able to change it yourself. It might be worth checking how long a dealer would take though before you start, if you don't feel up to it. Mind you I'm sure if you ask Rob or Andy (SF) they'd be up for it and a few beers if you ask nicely!!! Sorry guys.

DJ

DJ

Cheers guys,
I can't thank you enough for your help and suggestions. I've only recently discovered this web site and I'm overwhelmed by the friendlyness of you all.
I've got a couple of days off over the week end so I'll check out the connections etc as recommended and I'll keep you informed of what the fault was/is.

kind regards.
bryan

This thread was discussed between 11/10/2002 and 18/10/2002

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