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MG MGF Technical - EPAS Problem

A problem with my EPAS.

This started with the EPAS light on the dashboard staying on and the loss of power steering. Instantly thought of the fuse. This was OK and indeed “fiddling” with it brought the power steering back and the light off. However this only lasted for a couple of days.

Then thought their must be a problem with the connections in the fuse holder. So got the fine file out and polished the contacts – again EPAS for about a day.

Gave up and asked the garage to have a look while the car has getting it annual service. They also managed to get the EPAS working for the test drive and for half the journey home. The garage has suggested that the power steering ECU needs replacement at a cost of around £300. While I am happy (not sure happy is the right word!) to pay this if it would fix the problem. However, I am not convinced that a little micro processor should suddenly decide to switch off power steering after a few minutes / hours of use. Even less assured when they said they got this advice from “reading the manual”. It sounds to me more like a sensor has failed and feeding duff information to the ECU.

Any thoughts or knowledge of the problem out there?

Thanks in advance

Patrick
PA Beet

Patrick,

Certainly sounds like a duff connection to me - perhaps going open circuit when hot.

Unlikely - but it could be a faulty fuse.

I'd be inclined to tighten up the fuse holder clips and check the wiring to and from the wee fuse box.

Sam
Sam Murray

Patrick

Whilst it sounds like a connection problem there have been reports of the column failing at great cost. there have been posts about somebody in S.E. who can reset the column for a fraction of the cost.

Try a search - else somebody will be along with a link (I've no doubt).
John Ponting

Patrick - bum steer from me - different problem. The other problem was for vague EPAS when steering left. Notes for this are with Rob Bell - may be worth a read in case it rings any bells with you.
John Ponting

Doesn't the EPAS rely on inputs from the speedo - maybe the fault is on this side of the controller.
Tony

Yep, the EPAS ECU needs speed and RPM inputs to work, so it could be one of those connections for these causing the problem.

I assume your rev counter and speedo are still working Patrick?

Or it could be the multi-plug connector onto the EPAS ECU that has a dodgy connection but I would have thought the garage would have checked/cleaned that?

If worse come to thw worse and the ECU does need replacing, then no doubt there are several palces around that can supply a nearly new or used one for a fraction of the cost of a brand new one.
Steve White

If the connections check out OK, these symptoms would tie in with a ECU processor fault, clearing each time the power is removed (i.e. re-booting) but subsequently failing again.

There's one for £75 on eBay - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rover-MGF-1-8i-ECU-Perfect-condition_W0QQitemZ4628253053QQihZ002QQcategoryZ10414QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Mike Hankin

Price is OK, but notice, we have two different versions of EPAS ECU.
The shown silver box until XD511058 or the later black coloured box.

Patrick, how is the battery condition ?
Low battery voltage cause EPAS cut out aswell.

Did they check the other EPAS connectors ?
Dieter

Gentlemen,

Many thanks for all the replies!

Sam, I have changed the fuse and remade the two connections to the fuse so am pretty certain the answer does not lie with the fuse or holder.

Tony and Steve, no problems with the rev counter or speedo and indeed the sat nav takes a speedo feed and this is working fine so suspect the problem does not lie here. The garage did say that they had checked the connections to the ECU and cleaned them up – so problem not here I suspect.

It looks like it might indeed be a dodgy ECU so many thanks Mike to pointing me at one on ebay – a lot cheaper that £300.

Dieter, the battery is in ruder good health – particularly in this summer heat. Also the problem occurs while driving along when the alternator must be belting out “juice”.

Part of next weekend must be committed to scrabbling in the glove compartment to access the ECU. I suspect the one on ebay is the same as mine is our car in a late 97.

Again many thanks for the help and I will post how I get on!

Cheers

Patrick
PA Beet

>> Then thought their must be a problem with the connections in the fuse holder. So got the fine file out and polished the contacts – again EPAS for about a day. <<

Patrick, I think that you have the answer to the problem - it is almost certainly a connection problem.

I'd suggest that before buying a replacement ECU that you buy some contact cleaner from Maplins and spray all the contacts to the ECU which is located, as you know, above the glove box. Also spray all the fuse holders. Hopefully this process should give you a longer-lasting result. :o)
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 07/08/2006 and 08/08/2006

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