fohan

Hi,
My 2015 RDX 67k miles power assisted steering fails on occasions for a few seconds and then comes back. No EPS light on dash and the dealer could not replicate or detect any codes when I took it in. It only happens when its hot and its hot in TX, everyday. The steering wheel gets heavy and stiff but I can steer it with effort. It happens maybe once a week but is becoming more frequent and it started in April. Any ideas or advise would be appreciated.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

your EPS unit might be failing.

well documented failure running across multiple models of this era...from ILX to RDX to MDX to RLX

fohan

Thanks, its definitely not what I wanted to hear.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

hold that thought;

how old is the 12 volt battery? Battery might not be strong enough to power the EPS unit?

fohan

Battery has a November 2018 Date stamp, still fires strong as far as I can tell.

altair47

All components of the EPS, except for the angle sensor and the torque sensor, are located inside the car and do not experience a temperature drop. Therefore, if the hot weather is really to blame, check the sensors.

fohan

The EPS light just came on. Is the power steering module plug and play or do I need it programmed? I'm getting one from the junkyard.
TIA

Poolman

Looks like you can use one from the yard, by what the gent states in the vid below link

fohan

The eps warning light went away quick, seconds after loosing the power steering. But the power steering came back on a few seconds later. Apparently, its either the battery is getting old or the eps power control module. Thanks for the link, I hope the RDX has it in the same place.

fohan

The problem was fixed by replacing the eps module behind passenger kick panel. I tried changing the battery first but the steering would go out for a few seconds at a time still and wouldnt activate the eps warning light for the most part. Thanks everyone

altair47

Did you just replace it with a disconnected battery or did you have to calibrate it?

fohan

i disconnected the battery before replacing the eps module. I used a module from a 13 rdx and didnt have to program anything, plug and play. I dont know if that would be the case if you install a new module. Hopefully this used module lasts longer than the original.

fohan

This nightmare is back, this time the eps light came on and went off several time during the drive to work, the steering wheel gets really stiff just like before. Is there anything that I'm missing?
I've already changed the battery, and the eps module (installed a used one) and it has not been two months. I thought it was heat related but it seems random because its been nice down here (mid 80's).
Any ideas?

samiam_68

The intermittent nature of this may indicate a loose wiring connector, a frayed wire, or a bad fuse.

altair47

EPC is the main consumer of power, if the problem is gone and now it's back again you need to check all the high and low ampere connections.

Vinnie Dodenhoff

Did you ever end up figuring out what the issue was I'm having a similar issue and trying to track down a eps module but now I'm worried that's not it.

fohan

It turned out that my wife's commute was too short to recharge the battery properly. The alternator was going out too. Changing the battery only helped for a short period of time and changing the eps module didnt really make any difference. I have an extra EPS module that came out of the 2015 if you want it for few bucks.

Vinnie Dodenhoff

Ahhh ok gotcha i should probably check the alternator but I will buy that module from you so I can rule that out. I'm new here so I don't know how to pm you I'll see if I can figure it out.

fohan

Check your alternator first because it may be the real culprit. I checked mine by running the ac, headlights on high, and pressing two window switches at the same time. The lights got really dim. I don't know if that's the right way to check it but Im sure one of the guys here would know.

Vinnie Dodenhoff

Well it turns out it wasn't the EPS module or the alternator for me. I guess my next step is the motor or maybe the whole rack not sure yet.

fohan

What exactly are your symptoms?

Vinnie Dodenhoff

Well it feels kinda like it's failing intermittently somewhat how you described your issue but not for seconds but for maybe a second max. Almost like the steering is binding in spots. I haven't had the eps light come on at all though. Also, when I'm sitting still turning the wheel slowly it doesn't turn smooth it randomly will be easy or hard to turn.

fohan

Mine was due to short trips with ac, heated seats, stereo and headlights on. The alternator wasn’t charging the battery to keep up. Eventually the eps light did come on. If both your battery and alternator are good then you may need to keep searching. I wish some of the Acura techs would chime in.

Vinnie Dodenhoff

Yeah I'm not using any excessive power and like I said I replaced the alternator after figuring out the module wasn't the issue so I don't really know where else to go t
other than the steering rack/motor. I wish some techs would chime in too. I'm concidering taking my it to the stealership to let them figure it out but it would suck if it they figure it out to be the steering rack/motor and I was about to replace that lol.

Vinnie Dodenhoff

Just to update this for anyone that has a similar issue and is looking for a solution, it ended up being my steering column. I decided to disconnect all of the steering components and move everything individually and the bearings in the coloumn were shot, never seen or heard of one going bad but there's a first for everything. Also as a side note, I tried replacing with a used one but it was also bad so I ended up getting a brand new one and now it's silky smooth steering again.