Electric Power Steering Not Working Codes C0550 C0896

Electric Power Steering Not Working Codes C0550 C0896

Internal failure on the steering control module setting C0550.

On this GM/Chevy vehicle the power steering would stop working intermittently and found stored trouble codes: P0550 electric power steering module fault which I was able to find a TSB on that says to replace the EPSM. After checking the fuse for the electric power steering, I checked powers and grounds at the module and made sure all the connection and terminals were in good condition at both the EPSM and the power steering motor.

All the power steering components are located under the dash on this Saturn and the power steering module is part the steering column on this car. Replace the power steering module ended up fixing his intermittent power steering problem

1. Check the powers and ground while turning the steering wheel looking for a voltage drop.

2. Have an assistant turn the wheel while tapping on the underhood fuse block. If that makes it act up, check the connections under the fuse block.

3. Try freezing and heating the steering module to see if temperature extremes make the code reset, if so, re-replace the steering module.

INFORMATION

Bulletin No.: 07-02-32-007B

Date: August 06, 2009

Subject: Diagnostic Tips for Power Steering Inoperative/Steering Wheel Hard to Turn, Power Steering Message Displayed on DIC, DTCs C0176, C0475, C0476, C0550, U2105, U2107 Set

Models:
2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
2006-2010 Chevrolet HHR
2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit (Canada Only)
2007-2009 Pontiac G5
2003-2007 Saturn ION

Supercede:
This bulletin is being revised to update the information for DTC C0475. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 07-02-32-007A (Section 02 – Steering). 

The following diagnostics might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the condition(s) described above. Use the appropriate recommendation based on what symptom has occurred.

No DTCs

Review Corporate Bulletin Number 05-02-32-002D to assure you do not have a blown 60 amp steering fuse. The fuse can be blown during improper jump starting of the vehicle on the HHR and ION. Check for this particularly for tow in conditions. DO NOT replace the steering column unless an internal short has been identified in the column that is causing fuse to blow.

Power Steering Warning Message on DIC with DTCs C0176 and C0476

This condition is often the result of excessive lock-to-lock turns of the steering wheel, causing the thermal protection in the power steering control module (PSCM) to take the steering motor temporarily offline. This is a normal operating characteristic of the system. DO NOT replace the steering column for this condition. Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 06-02-32-002C for additional information.

Power Steering Warning Message on DIC with DTC C0550 in the PSCM

Inspect the motor harness connection to the PSCM. If no connector problems are found, replace the steering column ONLY as this is an internal controller issue.

Power Steering Warning Message on DIC with DTC C0475 in the PSCM

Check the connection between the EPS motor and the power steering control module (PSCM) by ensuring the harness connector is properly seated. If the connection is normal, replace ONLY the EPS motor.

Note
If the DTC resets immediately following motor replacement, replace the steering column.

Power Steering Warning Message on DIC with DTC U2105 and/or U2107 in the PSCM with any other U codes

Although the code(s) appear in the PSCM, these are communication codes and are not the result of a problem with the column operation or the control module. If the codes are in history, clear the codes and re-key the vehicle a few times to see if they come back. If they reappear, look for a communication issue from the BCM U2107 or ECM U2105 (wiring, connector, etc.) as the root cause. If the codes do not reappear after a test drive, return the vehicle back to the customer. DO NOT replace the steering column.

# 14115B: Product Safety – Electric Power Steering Assist – (Jul 24, 2014)

Subject: 14115B – Electric Power Steering Assist Models: 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR (Non-Turbo) 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt 2004-2007 Saturn ION Equipped with Electric Power Steering and 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt 2005 Pontiac Pursuit 2005-2006 Pontiac G4 2006 Pontiac G5 Pursuit 2007-2010 Pontiac G5 Serviced under Safety Recall 10023 Prior to May 31, 2010

The Caution statement in the service procedure has been revised. Please discard all copies of bulletin 14115A.

Due to part availability, this recall will be administered in phases. The first phase will consist of all Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac vehicles and 2010 Chevrolet HHR vehicles.

Condition

General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in some 2009-2010 model year Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo), some 2010 model year Chevrolet Cobalt, all 2004-2007 model year Saturn ION vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS), and service parts installed into vehicles under safety recall 10023 prior to May 31, 2010. The subject vehicles equipped with EPS may experience a sudden loss of power steering assist that could occur at any time while driving. If the power steering assist is lost, a message is displayed on the Driver Information Center and a chime sounds to inform the driver. Steering control can be maintained, as the vehicle will revert to a manual steering mode, but would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds, which could result in an increased risk of a crash.

Correction

Dealers are to replace the power steering motor.

Vehicles Involved

All involved vehicles are identified by Vehicle Identification Number on the Investigate Vehicle History screen in GM Global Warranty Management system. Dealership service personnel should always check this site to confirm vehicle involvement prior to beginning any required inspections and/or repairs. It is important to routinely use this tool to verify eligibility because not all similar vehicles may be involved regardless of description or option content.

For dealers with involved vehicles, a listing with involved vehicles containing the complete vehicle identification number, customer name, and address information has been prepared and will be provided to US and Canadian dealers through the GM GlobalConnect Recall Reports, or sent directly to export dealers. Dealers will not have a report available if they have no involved vehicles currently assigned.

The listing may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any purpose other than follow-up necessary to complete this recall is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this report to the follow-up necessary to complete this recall

Service Procedure

Note: 
  There is no power steering assist motor housing inspection for the Chevrolet HHR. Refer to Power Steering Assist Motor Replacement Procedure – All Vehicles 

Power Steering Assist Motor Housing Inspection – All Vehicles Except Chevrolet HHR

Caution: 
  Do not install a seal on a “first design” steering motor. Installing a seal on a “first design” steering motor may damage the steering motor which may result in loss of assist steering. A seal is only required on a “second design” steering motor – the motor with the larger chamfer.
  Before installing the power steering assist motor, inspect the power steering assist motor housing (1) to verify the steering column design:

  ^  First Design: If the chamfer (a) is 1 mm (0.04 in) and 30 degrees then the steering column is the first design and a power steering assist motor O-ring seal is NOT needed.

  ^  Second Design: If the chamfer (a) is 2.7 mm (0.11 in) and 45 degrees then the steering column is the second design and a NEW power steering assist motor O-ring seal IS needed.

Power Steering Assist Motor Replacement Procedure – All Vehicles

1.Remove the power steering assist motor. Refer to Power Steering Assist Motor Replacement in SI.

2.Install the new power steering assist motor. Refer to Power Steering Assist Motor Replacement in SI.

Customer Reimbursement – For US

Customer requests for reimbursement of previously paid repairs for the recall condition are to be submitted to the dealer by December 31, 2015, unless otherwise specified by state law. If this is not convenient for the customer, they may mail the completed Customer Reimbursement Request Form and all required documents to the GM Customer Assistance Center.

All reasonable and customary costs to correct the condition described in this bulletin should be considered for reimbursement. Any questions or concerns should be reviewed with your GM representative prior to processing the request.

When a customer requests reimbursement, they must provide the following:

^ A completed Customer Reimbursement Request Form. This form is mailed to the customer or can be obtained through GM GlobalConnect.

^ The name and address of the person who paid for the repair.

^ Paid receipt confirming the amount of the repair expense, a description of the repair, and the person or entity performing the repair.

Important: 
  GM requires dealers to approve or deny a reimbursement request within 30 days of receipt. If a reimbursement request is approved, the dealer should immediately issue a check to the customer and submit an appropriate warranty transaction for the incurred expense. If a reimbursement request is denied, the dealer MUST provide the customer with a clear and concise explanation, in writing, as to why the request was denied. The bottom portion of the Customer Reimbursement Request Form may be used for this purpose. If the denial was due to missing documents, the customer can resubmit the request when the missing documents are obtained, as long as it is still within the allowed reimbursement period.

Warranty transactions for customer reimbursement of previously paid repairs are to be submitted as required by GM Global Warranty Management. Additional information can also be found in Warranty Administration Bulletin 11-00-89-004.

Customer Reimbursement – For Canada and Export

Customer requests for reimbursement of previously paid repairs to correct the condition described in this bulletin are to be submitted to the dealer prior to or by December 31, 2015.

When a customer requests reimbursement, they must provide the following:

– Proof of ownership at time of repair.

– Original paid receipt confirming the amount of unreimbursed repair expense(s) (including Service Contract deductibles), a description of the repair, and the person or entity performing the repair.

All reasonable and customary costs to correct the condition described in this bulletin should be considered for reimbursement. Any questions or concerns should be reviewed with your GM representative prior to processing the request.

Courtesy Transportation – For US and Canada

The General Motors Courtesy Transportation program is intended to minimize customer inconvenience when a vehicle requires a repair that is covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranties. The availability of courtesy transportation to customers whose vehicles are within the warranty coverage period and involved in a product program is very important in maintaining customer satisfaction. Dealers are to ensure that these customers understand that shuttle service or some other form of courtesy transportation is available and will be provided at no charge. Dealers should refer to the General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual for Courtesy Transportation guidelines.

Warranty Transaction Information

Customer Notification – For US and Canada

General Motors will notify customers of this recall on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin).

Customer Notification – For Export

Letters will be sent to known owners of record located within areas covered by the US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. For owners outside these areas, dealers should notify customers using the attached sample letter.

Dealer Recall Responsibility – For US and Export (US States, Territories, and Possessions)

It is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item of motor vehicle equipment (including a tire) covered by this notification under a sale or lease until the defect or noncompliance is remedied.

The US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provides that each vehicle that is subject to a recall of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the customer has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty days after tender of a vehicle is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time. If the condition is not adequately repaired within a reasonable time, the customer may be entitled to an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle at no charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation. To avoid having to provide these burdensome remedies, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each customer and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. In the recall notification letters, customers are told how to contact the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration if the recall is not completed within a reasonable time.

Dealer Recall Responsibility – All

All unsold new vehicles in dealers’ possession and subject to this recall must be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this recall bulletin before customers take possession of these vehicles.

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this recall at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward. 

Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer. Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. A copy of the customer letter is provided in this bulletin for your use in contacting customers. Recall follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the customer may not as yet have received the notification letter.

In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.