When your car’s power steering assist fails, it can be hard to get around. The system helps you steer by making tiny corrections to the wheel based on the amount of pressure you’re applying to the pedals. Unfortunately, sometimes these adjustments can become stuck and cause your car to wander or even pull to one side.
In this article, we’ll show you how to reset power steering assist on a Honda Accord. This procedure should work for most other cars with a power steering assist system, too.
What is Power Steering Assist?
Power steering assist is a system that helps a driver steer the car. It uses sensors to detect the road and uses motor controllers to control the power of the engine and the hydraulic pumps to help the driver steer. When it detects a fault, it can reset itself and help you steer.
How to Reset Power Steering Assist Fault
If you experience a power steering assist issue, here is how to reset the fault:
1. Park the car in a safe location.
2. Disable the car’s electrical systems by engaging the parking brake and turning off all of the car’s lights.
3. Disconnect the battery» Connect a 12-volt battery to the car’s positive terminal and ground terminal.
4. Open the hood and locate the power steering assist unit (PSAU). If it is not accessible from inside the car, open the trunk and access it from there.
5. Remove the PSAU cover by unscrewing two screws on each side of it» Carefully remove the cover so as not to damage it.
6. Locate and remove the power steering motor» Note that this part may be hot! Unplug it from its electrical connector and replace it with a new one if necessary. Once you have replaced it, screw on the cover and reattach the screws» Close up the PSAU cover and restore your electrical system by engaging your parking brake and turning on all of your car’s lights» Drive your car normally for at least twenty minutes before checking for any problems.
What to do if your car won’t start
If your car won’t start, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the problem. The first step is to check all of the obvious things, like making sure the battery is charged and that there isn’t something blocking the fuel injectors. If those things don’t work, you’ll need to start by resetting the power steering assist.
How to Repair a Power Steering Assist Malfunction
If you have a power steering assist malfunction, there are a few things you can do to try and fix it. In most cases, a power steering assist fault is caused by a broken or clogged hose. You canrepair the hose by replacing it with an OEM part or by using a compatible aftermarket hose. If that doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to replace the power steering pump.