Non-Ford electric power steering question.

[Ruiner]

This issue concerns my fiancée’s 2006 Malibu LT with the 3.5 V6. On occasion and at random her power steering will quit/lock up, and the power steering malfunction message will flash on her data display on the dashboard. When she turns the car off and restarts, it disappears and the steering performs as normal. It’s very random and impossible to replicate. It seems that these cars have electric power steering, and it also seems like a crappy system that is known to have a lot of problems. Has anybody dealt with this on any GM cars, or know what has to be replaced to fix this? As usual, google search is all over the map and I can’t come up with a solid answer.

Thanks guys.

[kineda]

i know 05 was the first year they introduced it and i had a ton of issues with my cobalt when i got it. maybe there is a tsb/recall on it or something?

[95 whitestang]

In the past when I was in the stealership, I would have replaced the steering wheel position sensor. At the time I think you had to get a whole new column to fix it, but they may have changed it now.

[Fernanernie]

This issue concerns my fiancée’s 2006 Malibu LT with the 3.5 V6. On occasion and at random her power steering will quit/lock up, and the power steering malfunction message will flash on her data display on the dashboard. When she turns the car off and restarts, it disappears and the steering performs as normal. It’s very random and impossible to replicate. It seems that these cars have electric power steering, and it also seems like a crappy system that is known to have a lot of problems. Has anybody dealt with this on any GM cars, or know what has to be replaced to fix this? As usual, google search is all over the map and I can’t come up with a solid answer.

Thanks guys.

I know that there is a TSB related to Power Steering, cannot remember what it was about though. I think that it was about the same issue.

Also, pics of lady-friend brah!

[Ruiner]

Thanks guys, I'll try to see if I can find a TSB for this. From what I've found, there was a recall but it was for the Cobalt and related and did not include the Malibu, even though the Malibu had the same issue.

whitestang, I've heard elsewhere as well that a whole new column is needed. :cry:

[POOPY PANTS FACE]

i know 05 was the first year they introduced it and i had a ton of issues with my cobalt when i got it. maybe there is a tsb/recall on it or something?

Yup almost all cobalts and ions have a tsb for this.

[Turbo302]

This is the problimatic part you need.

http://www.dormanproducts.com/p-29167-905-513.aspx?pymmeid=7687753

[Ruiner]

This is the problimatic part you need.

http://www.dormanproducts.com/p-2916...ymmeid=7687753

Thanks. Should be a "fun" project.

[Ford Fan]

That's where I would start but if that doesn't fix it PM me. I have a customer that found something else on these.

[ndrewoods]

In the past when I was in the stealership, I would have replaced the steering wheel position sensor. At the time I think you had to get a whole new column to fix it, but they may have changed it now.

Yeah, the steering wheel position sensor is the first thing that I thought of. But wouldn't the problem that causes this be with the power steering hose or pump?

[95 whitestang]

Yeah, the steering wheel position sensor is the first thing that I thought of. But wouldn't the problem that causes this be with the power steering hose or pump?

There is no power steering hose or pump on the vehicle referenced here. The power assist system is an electric motor attached to the base of the steering column itself.

[Ruiner]

Forgot to reply to this after resolution. Ended up being an ECU error. Error being, the thing completely melted down and eventually the car wouldn't drive 1/4 mile without shutting itself off, and when it would run it was throwing the power steering error constantly.

New ECU and the car has been perfect ever since.

[octanehuffer]

A GM product with electrical issues. No way.

[Turbohwagon]

A GM product with electrical issues. No way.

BCMs FTW!