[AlanEastern WA]

The power steering on our 2008 Ford Escape has failed and is essentially operates like a manual steering vehicle. After research, we diagnosed the problem as a failed Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) module, bought one from a salvage yard and swapped it out with not change to the symptoms.

I am looking for help in two areas: 1) determining if there is a way to "bench test" the old module to see if was even bad in the first place and 2) identifying any other potential failed components to look at.

Details on symptoms and testing below.

• Vehicle's power steering suddenly stopped working, no specific incident (according to my son) that caused it to change
• No on-board diagnostic error codes of any kind (ODB II read, only a misfire code present)
• Power detected at what I assess to be the supply connection (orange body for connector, forward-most of the three on the left side of the EPAS module. Strangely, I previously had a good voltage test at the 80A fuse in the engine compartment fuse box, but wasn't able to get readings across it after I swapped out the EPAS and reaccomplished earlier troubleshooting tasks.
• Replacement EPAS was off of a Ford Mariner and process was challenging, but uneventful. I don't think the seller did any testing of the part and know it was pulled from a vehicle in the junkyard which did not appear to have had indications of front end or right side collision.

I have seen other threads for 2008 Escape Hybrids discussing a Power Steering Control Module. Can't tell if this is a hybrid only component or another potential root cause for the power steering problem.

Does anyone know if I should be able to see an amperage draw in the engine compartment across the 80A fuse with an ammeter when the steering wheel is turned if the EPAS is functional? This might be a way to assess if the replacement part currently installed is failed as well.

Appreciate any suggestions or advice to identify and resolve the problem. I'm about to get another 80A fuse and replace in on the off chance that it is partially failed, but am otherwise out of ideas except to swap out the EPAS again.

Alan

 

[tomw]

I would be looking at all connections and conductors on the EPAS system if I had an 'instant' failure(suddenly w/o symptoms). A fuse in general does not 'partially fail', else it would not be a fuse. The motor doing the assist is one that draws very little power, if any, when the wheel is not being turned. It is enabled when the sensor on the column detects a difference between current position and desired position. When that occurs, it signals to send power to the motor to turn the linkage in the direction to reduce the 'difference'. Once it gets there, it stops sending power to the motor. You should be able to measure the resistance inside the sensor to see if it is varied by steering wheel movement. I think the box you bought gets the signal from the column and then directs power to the motor as needed. I do NOT have one, and have access to no EPAS diagrams.
Orignally, the column was to be replaced(complete) when there was a sensor failure, but FoMoCo has relaxed that and the sensor can be replaced w/o replacing the column.
I expect there are test procedures in the shop manual.
tom

 

[AlanEastern WA]

Thanks for your reply. Agree a fuse "partial failure" doesn't seem likely or even possible, but I am out of ideas otherwise.

For your comment that "You should be able to measure the resistance inside the sensor to see if it is varied by steering wheel movement," where do yo think I should be able measure the resistance? Also, when you say "the box you bought," are you referring to the EPAS?

Regarding "test procedures in the shop manual," I've done a search online and found something that might provide what you describe, but wanted to ask if you've got a specific source for an appropriate shop manual.

 

[ProjectSHO89]

The attached should help you, they are out of the factory service manual for the 2008 Escape.

 

[vincom]

i had similar issues and replaced it w/a used one, but i got lucky, its over a year and still working. u could of got a bad one, there were lots of steering columns gone from the wrecks at the yard and owners got rid of their escapes because of the non steering issues and didnt want to spend the money getting it fixed.
return it for another one as they usually offer a time limited return on the used parts , from 30 to 90 days

 

[tchirbrandon]

mine was the torque converter sensor on the steering coloumn i bought one off of amazon for like 35$ fix my epas way cheaper than replacing with anew steering coloumn. mind you your gonna need a very large set of snap ring pliers even with then it was a bit tricky