While on my way back from John O'groats (a 1300 mile round trip) and (thankfully) only about 5 miles from my home, an orange 'i' appeared between the temp and fuel gauges. I went to information and there was a message of steering malfunctioning, so I stopped at the next petrol station and switched off the engine to check if I could see anything obvious. After finding nothing I got back into the car, and started the engine...at which time the 'i' that had been orange changed to red and the steering stiffened (much like it would be with the engine off). Would you kind people have experienced anything like that or know what the problem is likely to be. I thought it might be to do with 'vacuum' but the brakes are operating perfectly. I left the car at the petrol station and will go back to take a proper look tomorrow. Many thanks.

This car has the full electric EPAS power steering. The complete power steering system is fully integrated into the steering rack. This system has literally nothing to do with vacuum.

The symptoms indicate either low battery voltage or an electronic defect to the EPAS steering rack. Since the problem occurred after a long trip, low battery voltage is quite unlikely which leaves an electronic defect to the EPAS steering rack as the most likely cause.

Electronic EPAS problems are not uncommon. The steering rack is belt driven using a servo motor that is controlled by an electronic module. The electronic module can suffer from water ingress. However, since the steering rack is a sealed unit, it is considered to be unserviceable. Spare parts are not available and removing the servo motor/module requires the rack to fully disassembled since those parts are bolted from the inside.


I suggest performing a decent diagnostic first, but it is highly likely that the EPAS steering rack will have to be replaced.

Thanks. I ended going back today with a colleague who has Forscan. Scan report is attached. Any thoughts or interpretation. Error DTC was cleared and steering returned to normal for the journey (3 miles) from the petrol station to my res.

This DTC code indicates high internal friction inside the steering rack. This can either be caused by a mechanical failure or and electronic defect affecting the torque sensing of the electronic module.

Since the registered battery voltage at the time the DTC was generated was only 11.8 Volt, this would be the 1st suspect. 11.8 Volt is really low for a vehicle that has just done a long trip. You should start having the battery condition (remaining capacity and State of Charge) checked. Depending on the test results you can decide whether a battery replacement is required.

8 hours ago, JW1982 said:

This DTC code indicates high internal friction inside the steering rack. This can either be caused by a mechanical failure or and electronic defect affecting the torque sensing of the electronic module.

Since the registered battery voltage at the time the DTC was generated was only 11.8 Volt, this would be the 1st suspect. 11.8 Volt is really low for a vehicle that has just done a long trip. You should start having the battery condition (remaining capacity and State of Charge) checked. Depending on the test results you can decide whether a battery replacement is required.

Thanks. I did a 'test' on the battery terminals using a multimeter and got the following;

Battery voltage (engine off) 12.3v

Battery voltage with engine running (idling, no load) 12.3v

Battery voltage with engine running and A/C on max, headlights on high 13.3v

Should this be the case...I read somewhere that voltage with engine running, no load should be between 13.6v and about 14.7.?

Do my readings suggest I need an alternator?

The charging voltage depends on the SoC of the battery. Your measurements only prove that the alternator is working since the charging voltage changes based on engine load.

Apart from that, A/C is not generating electrical load. The A/C compressor is engine driven and apart from a small electrical load it mainly puts a load of a few kW on the engine. The major electrical consumers are heated rear screen, heated front screen, PTC heater (if equipped), etc.


A decent battery tester not only looks at the voltage but also quickly discharges the battery and calculates the remaining battery capacity. On an older battery the capacity can be less than 1/4 of what it originally was.

Exact same thing happened to my C Max around 2 weeks ago. I cleared the codes via for scan and since the problem has not returned. I also seen a video on you tube pointing to a fused connection in front of the battery box that suffers from corrosion ( mines was ). After I cleared the code the steering returned with no issues. Going a long run in 2 weeks so will see what happens then. Electric power steering rack - another load of modern nonsense. What was wrong with simple hydraulic PAS ?! Just my opinion,

4 hours ago, 757-200 said:

Exact same thing happened to my C Max around 2 weeks ago. I cleared the codes via for scan and since the problem has not returned. I also seen a video on you tube pointing to a fused connection in front of the battery box that suffers from corrosion ( mines was ). After I cleared the code the steering returned with no issues. Going a long run in 2 weeks so will see what happens then. Electric power steering rack - another load of modern nonsense. What was wrong with simple hydraulic PAS ?! Just my opinion,

Thanks. That's encouraging. I shall check the fuse. Do let us know how your long run will have run, when you return. Kind regards.