EPS issue and column rattle fixed
06-11-2015, 09:29 AM
#11
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Join Date: 05-14-2007
Location: Chico Cali
Posts: 907
Don, not sure what's up with the low voltage codes... unless it's just saved in the module from months ago when I had to replace the battery. Which I got from the Chevy dealer and was a match to the original.
As for the ECU, the service manager did not mention that would need to be replaced because of that code, he simply said that confirmed it was the steering module. I'm not a hundred percent convinced he knows exactly what he's talking about so I will try to get ahold of one of the Chevy techs and go over it with them. I don't know the guys over there though so I may just wait for the service manager to speak with them like he said he would and of course do some research online.
If the ECU does need replacing I will definitely be going to eBay, thanks for the tip there!
As for the ECU, the service manager did not mention that would need to be replaced because of that code, he simply said that confirmed it was the steering module. I'm not a hundred percent convinced he knows exactly what he's talking about so I will try to get ahold of one of the Chevy techs and go over it with them. I don't know the guys over there though so I may just wait for the service manager to speak with them like he said he would and of course do some research online.
If the ECU does need replacing I will definitely be going to eBay, thanks for the tip there!
06-11-2015, 05:36 PM
#12
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Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg,VA
Posts: 24,823
Find a real mechanic (not a technician). That dealership does not know what it is doing. Those technicians went to the same schools that every other technician went to, but didn't do good enough to get a real job. They are parts replacers.
I bet you paid more than $175 for the battery that should cost $110.
Unless you have some sort of dealer warranty there is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO PAY GM labor and parts prices.
Since you are using the internet to post here, I assume you can type those codes into a Google search? Give it a try, it's usually much better than the service advisor at a dealership, in my experience anyway. My local Chevy dealer has gals that weren't hot enough to put on the podium (receptionist, like Jill at Toyota) doing those duties.
I bet you paid more than $175 for the battery that should cost $110.
Unless you have some sort of dealer warranty there is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO PAY GM labor and parts prices.
Since you are using the internet to post here, I assume you can type those codes into a Google search? Give it a try, it's usually much better than the service advisor at a dealership, in my experience anyway. My local Chevy dealer has gals that weren't hot enough to put on the podium (receptionist, like Jill at Toyota) doing those duties.
06-11-2015, 11:50 PM
#14
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Join Date: 05-14-2007
Location: Chico Cali
Posts: 907
Yes, I am capable of searching online and I have been looking around and have found the following....
Models:
2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
2006-2010 Chevrolet HHR
2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit (Canada Only)
2007-2009 Pontiac G5
2003-2007 Saturn ION
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.
So I take that as meaning that even though the explanation mentioned ECU internal failure that the ECU itself is not bad.
The column I purchased a long time ago is from a 10' Cobalt and I am hoping to just swap the module. I unplugged the three plugs from the module on the car and it still started just fine and had manual steering so I am assuming that there will be no issues with starting once I swap them.
I started the process tonight but found the two plugs from the column to the module very difficult to remove and instead of risking damage to them I am going to take it to work in the morning and have one of the techs from my side that I know and trust check them out and hopefully show me how to remove them from the module.
I took photos of the process I started and will post them later once I move them to my laptop.
As far as buying my items from the dealer, I normally would never pay those prices and usually I am more than skilled enough to do my own work, but since I work at the dealer and get a pretty good discount its all to easy to just get stuff while I'm there.
Models:
2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
2006-2010 Chevrolet HHR
2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit (Canada Only)
2007-2009 Pontiac G5
2003-2007 Saturn ION
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.
So I take that as meaning that even though the explanation mentioned ECU internal failure that the ECU itself is not bad.
The column I purchased a long time ago is from a 10' Cobalt and I am hoping to just swap the module. I unplugged the three plugs from the module on the car and it still started just fine and had manual steering so I am assuming that there will be no issues with starting once I swap them.
I started the process tonight but found the two plugs from the column to the module very difficult to remove and instead of risking damage to them I am going to take it to work in the morning and have one of the techs from my side that I know and trust check them out and hopefully show me how to remove them from the module.
I took photos of the process I started and will post them later once I move them to my laptop.
As far as buying my items from the dealer, I normally would never pay those prices and usually I am more than skilled enough to do my own work, but since I work at the dealer and get a pretty good discount its all to easy to just get stuff while I'm there.
06-12-2015, 03:29 AM
#15
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Thread Starter
Join Date: 05-14-2007
Location: Chico Cali
Posts: 907
Well I had a nice post typed with pics, hit preview post, got logged out and had to sign back in to find its all gone....Oh well.
Here are the pics..they are labeled. ..
My eBay column from a 2010 cobalt.
The cobalt module numbers
The numbers on my current module
Here is the location of the two mounting bolts to remove the module from the column.
Here are the wires that are under a plastic cover on the Bach side of the module that run into the column.
The plastic clip I removed to attempt removing the red and white connectors.
And the two little connectors that halted it all for the evening. ..
We will see what tomorrow and the weekend brings.
Here are the pics..they are labeled. ..
My eBay column from a 2010 cobalt.
The cobalt module numbers
The numbers on my current module
Here is the location of the two mounting bolts to remove the module from the column.
Here are the wires that are under a plastic cover on the Bach side of the module that run into the column.
The plastic clip I removed to attempt removing the red and white connectors.
And the two little connectors that halted it all for the evening. ..
We will see what tomorrow and the weekend brings.
06-17-2015, 10:26 AM
#16
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Thread Starter
Join Date: 05-14-2007
Location: Chico Cali
Posts: 907
Well, the weekend brought with it some unfortunate events so no progress was made with the steering.
I did find that those wire connections do not come off, a guy at work actually broke them trying. Luckily he is a computer guy so he is going to resolder them for me and I'm going to install the complete unit not just the module.
I did find that those wire connections do not come off, a guy at work actually broke them trying. Luckily he is a computer guy so he is going to resolder them for me and I'm going to install the complete unit not just the module.
Last edited by R CA HHR; 06-21-2015 at 10:56 PM.
06-21-2015, 11:12 PM
#17
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Thread Starter
Join Date: 05-14-2007
Location: Chico Cali
Posts: 907
I got the module wires soldered and this morning I busted into it.. Was a little nervous but it turned out to be far easier than expected.
I pulled the knee bolster and metal bracing, plastic from around the colum, unplugged 6 or 7 plugs from 2 wire looms that come down from the dash, unbolted the u joint just inside the firewall, dropped the 2 support bolts and a long bolt further down the column that allows it to pivot, then gave the whole unit a few good shakes and tugs and it popped right out.
I swapped the column, tossed it all back in and fired it up. WORKED PERFECTLY! We took a trip to town for a couple hours and had PS the whole time...
I had no need to program anything, didn't swap the transponder ring around the ignition or the lock cylinder so all that was just plugged back in and good to good.
The only issue I have afterwards is my steering wheel is off center...its at 10 o'clock instead of straight. . I was pretty careful to not turn anything with the column out so not sure how it happened or how I'm going to correct it, but we are so happy to have it working, I'm not upset about it.
I took a bunch of pics so if anyone is interested let me know. ..
I pulled the knee bolster and metal bracing, plastic from around the colum, unplugged 6 or 7 plugs from 2 wire looms that come down from the dash, unbolted the u joint just inside the firewall, dropped the 2 support bolts and a long bolt further down the column that allows it to pivot, then gave the whole unit a few good shakes and tugs and it popped right out.
I swapped the column, tossed it all back in and fired it up. WORKED PERFECTLY! We took a trip to town for a couple hours and had PS the whole time...
I had no need to program anything, didn't swap the transponder ring around the ignition or the lock cylinder so all that was just plugged back in and good to good.
The only issue I have afterwards is my steering wheel is off center...its at 10 o'clock instead of straight. . I was pretty careful to not turn anything with the column out so not sure how it happened or how I'm going to correct it, but we are so happy to have it working, I'm not upset about it.
I took a bunch of pics so if anyone is interested let me know. ..
Last edited by R CA HHR; 06-22-2015 at 12:16 AM.
06-22-2015, 11:53 AM
#20
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Join Date: 05-14-2007
Location: Chico Cali
Posts: 907
Ya Whopper, we are glad too.
Thanks for the tip OldBlue, it was either that or just pull the wheel and rotate it, but the u joint is most likely where the error was caused and should be how it's remedied.
Also I am happy to report that replacing the column has eliminated my 6 year old column rattle that chevy insisted was the intermediate shaft...they were wrong again...no longer surprised at this point.
There is a video on YouTube that demonstrates where the rattle is coming from.. I don't recall if it's ok to post a link, but I figure this would help so many people, I'll post it and remove it if need be.
STEERING NOISE ON 06 COBALT, (Steering Column):
Thanks for the tip OldBlue, it was either that or just pull the wheel and rotate it, but the u joint is most likely where the error was caused and should be how it's remedied.
Also I am happy to report that replacing the column has eliminated my 6 year old column rattle that chevy insisted was the intermediate shaft...they were wrong again...no longer surprised at this point.
There is a video on YouTube that demonstrates where the rattle is coming from.. I don't recall if it's ok to post a link, but I figure this would help so many people, I'll post it and remove it if need be.
STEERING NOISE ON 06 COBALT, (Steering Column):