EPS Issues

[adamr]

I got a 2014 Ram 1500 Express. It was driven on Tuesday afternoon with no issues, then a few hours later when we went to go somewhere, the power steering didn't work and the EPS warning light is flashing on the dash. I did some googling and checked other threads on this forum, but I haven't found any situations that seem like mine.

I checked the fuses at the battery terminal and those are good. I opened the fuse box and checked those fuses and this is where it gets confusing to me.

F42 - HORN - Tests bad (My horn works fine.)
F58 - ENG COOLING PUMP - Tests bad (My truck doesn't overheat.)
F62 - A/C CLUTCH - Tests bad (My A/C works fine.)
F63 - IGNITION COILS - Tests bad (My truck starts fine.)
F64 - FUEL INJECTORS/PCM - Tests bad (My truck starts fine.)
F70 - FUEL PUMP MTR - Tests bad (My truck starts fine.)
F78 - ECM/PCM/EPS - Tests good (Powering steering doesn't work.)

Should I just replace the fuse box, or is it possible there's some underlying issue I'm not finding? Any help would be appreciated!

Edit: I should also add that I tried pulling codes and there are no codes showing in the system.

 

[StateOfMind]

Just for clarification, when you say tests bad, did you pull the fuses and do a continuity check across the poles?

 

[adamr]

Sorry, no I tested each to make sure they were getting power. Visually the fuses look fine, but I did not do a continuity check across the poles. The fuses that were testing as having no power to them, I replaced and tested again and the new fuses also had no power to them.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Have you done a battery LOAD test? HERE. Or charge your battery and take to a parts store to get tested. That's where I would start. May not be the problem, but you almost have to rule that out. These trucks are known to act wonky in weird head-scratching ways when the batteries start going bad. Be sure the terminals are 'clean' and body/engine grounds are good. Seen it on my own Tk (although it wasn't steering related). But it had all sorts of other errors I've never seen in my life! So have other owners. So, it may not be a flaky battery, but it's a good place to start. Esp with the other issues you articulated. And try letting the truck sit overnight with a batt cable disconnected (I'd tie the cable-ends together myself(unhooked from the batt of course)) to kind of do a reset ...if the battery is known solid-good.

2) These trucks have been known to somehow inexplicably push the fuses "up". Make sure they (and relays) are seated. I assume you've probably done that. Also, there have been reports from 4th gen Ram owners who've had the main wire connectors beneath the fuse box (TIPM - Computer) corrode (badly in some cases!). You can search that out. Those were usually northern snow-belt guys, who get in salty conditions. But it might be worth digging in and removing the main computer connectors and having a check if no other solutions present themself.

3) There is a main metal piece which connects between the + batt and goes to the fuse box. Be sure the terminals are clean and tight.

4) The EPS itself can suffer from a multitude of failures: Waterlogged control panel area, broken belt, possible other internal issues. I would at least at some point remove the control panel cover and look inside in case it's something simple (after you've resolved the horn and other issues).

This is a sucky thing to have happen. Good luck. Let us know what you discover!

 

[adamr]

Thanks for your input! I'll get the battery tested. I do think maybe my last post was a bit confusing. I have no issues with my horn, a/c, or any of the other listed items above. The concern I was having there is that the associated fuses don't seem to be receiving power, but the systems work perfectly fine. That's why I was thinking maybe there was an issue with the fuse box itself. I'll check over the other things you mentioned and post an update.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Hmmm...well in that case go right to #4. It's probably not the battery, it's probably a flaky EPS unit. Supposedly, according to some forum members, the new Chrysler EPS units (while difficult to get), seem to be revised and more reliable. But NOT cheap. Do some searches of EPS and power steering... there are plenty of other posts.

To start with, ensure the control board on the EPS is getting power.

 

[Ram1500Texas]

Hello,
New to the forum but have been reading posts regarding the Ram EPS for some time now as I am also having problems. I own a 2104 Ram 1500 (tradesman) 4x4 5.7L HEMI with 67,000 miles. I live in Texas, and it gets very hot here in the summer. Last year my truck started having EPS issues. EPS warning light and intermittent steering when the weather is over about 95 degrees outside and over 15 or 20 mins of driving. Luckly, I do not drive my truck long distances. Normally just to from work (about 10 miles one way). I will be about a mile from home when the EPS fails and I just strong arm the truck home and into the garage. Once truck cools down the problem goes away.

I have seen many threads across a few forums detailing problems with the EPS on these trucks, but I have not yet found any detailing the problem in Hot weather (usually they are talking about cold temps). Yesterday the warning light came on with intermittent power steering and I plugged in my ODPII scanner while the warning light was still on, but it showed not codes. I do not want to take my truck to the dealer if not necessary and I really do not want to replace the EPS steering (2500 plus bucks) if I can help it.

Any ideas from the folks in the forum?

Thanks in Advance.

 

[indept]

Did you read through Jeepwalkers post above? My 1st thought was the EPS control bd getting wet as Jeepwalkers item #4 mentioned. That sounds like a bad connection ( possibly from corrosion) and that connection point getting hot. That would have a positive temperature coefficient so the hotter it gets the higher the resistance. Once it cools it would work until it got hot again just like yours.

 

[Ken226]

I own a 2104 Ram 1500 4x4 5.7L HEMI

Dude!! Pics?

I knew the internal combustion engine wasn't going away.

But, its awesome to see that the Hemi will still be around. I've been hearing rumors it's going away in 2025. I knew they wouldn't do away with such an awesome engine! Glad to see that they'll come to their senses.




Just kidding.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Probably a bad solder joint on the EPS board maybe where the power connects. Check/inspect the connector going to the EPS unit too. A lot of electronics heat up during use. If you figure using your truck 2x a day for 10 yrs, that's 7300 heat/cool cycles. If you make 4 trips a day, that's double ...14,600 heat cool cycles...and so on. Heat cool cycles have the potential of making weak solder joints weaker. And also, I've seen pictures of Ram owners' EPS boards which were submerged in water/moisture, have corroded traces on the board too. Because remember, the control board is in a small little cubby and it's also 7300 *possible* condensation cycles too. The EPS board is coated in a plastic, but not completely (main connectors), and sometimes it doesn't fully cover the board. That also makes cooling tougher...for the electronic components...and debugging tougher. IF it's circuit-board-related. When things go flaky due to heat, I often look at temperature affecting electronics. Kind of like my dad's flaky home-WIFI. He was setting his unit on a towel which nicely sealed off airflow vents at the bottom. And then it would get hot & go flaky. All I had to do was set it on a clean table. Better cooling, problem gone.

But it could also just be other internal issues that occur with failing EPS racks.

 

[Ram1500Texas]

Dude!! Pics?

I knew the internal combustion engine wasn't going away.

But, its awesome to see that the Hemi will still be around. I've been hearing rumors it's going away in 2025. I knew they wouldn't do away with such an awesome engine! Glad to see that they'll come to their senses.




Just kidding.

Here is the offending truck. I love my truck and have always taken excellent care of it. And now it is giving me grief. Geesh!

 

[Ram1500Texas]

Probably a bad solder joint on the EPS board maybe where the power connects. Check/inspect the connector going to the EPS unit too. A lot of electronics heat up during use. If you figure using your truck 2x a day for 10 yrs, that's 7300 heat/cool cycles. If you make 4 trips a day, that's double ...14,600 heat cool cycles...and so on. Heat cool cycles have the potential of making weak solder joints weaker. And also, I've seen pictures of Ram owners' EPS boards which were submerged in water/moisture, have corroded traces on the board too. Because remember, the control board is in a small little cubby and it's also 7300 *possible* condensation cycles too. The EPS board is coated in a plastic, but not completely (main connectors), and sometimes it doesn't fully cover the board. That also makes cooling tougher...for the electronic components...and debugging tougher. IF it's circuit-board-related. When things go flaky due to heat, I often look at temperature affecting electronics. Kind of like my dad's flaky home-WIFI. He was setting his unit on a towel which nicely sealed off airflow vents at the bottom. And then it would get hot & go flaky. All I had to do was set it on a clean table. Better cooling, problem gone.

But it could also just be other internal issues that occur with failing EPS racks.

Thank you sir! I will check into this as well as the recommendation from "indept" above.