Steering wheel binding/locking up.

[Thats550]

So I went on a road trip and on the way back the steering wheel started acting funny. It's definitely worse at higher speeds but it's does the same thing at lower speeds. Like from straight when I try to turn the wheel right I feel pressure and have to push past it and it almost locks right there. It doesn't do it really to the right when I'm going slow only when going fast. And then when I turn my wheel alot to the left when I try to unturned the wheel it like locks up and I have to push it past it. It's almost scary. Still does it to the left when im going slow as much as fast. And when the car is parked I can freely turn the wheel with nos issues. I did hit some pretty big bumps and potholes, so maybe it could be allignment related or what. Any suggestions greatly appreciated

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[SheepDog]

Do you have a decent scan tool or Forscan? Check to see if you have any codes stored in the Power steering module or Cruise control module. U300 specifically.

Being that these mustangs use electric assist, the Power steering module changes the effort required of the steering rack based on vehicle speed, which may be why you don't feel the resistance or hard spots when the vehicle isn't moving.

Also, make sure your battery is good

 

[Thats550]

Okay I do have a decent scan tool I can check it out with. I'll check on that and get back to you. My battery is not very good my battery light is almost always on. Sometimes it goes off for a bit but comes back on. I was driving hard and sliding the stang a bit a couple weeks ago and my service advance Trac light came on. And Trac control light. Once I turned the car off and on it was gone. Not sure if it's related or the system was just tripping cause I was sliding it. But I drove really smooth on the road trip but there were a few big bumps!

 

[SheepDog]

The problem could be in the steering rack itself also. Definitely replace your battery if you know it's bad. Also have the alternator checked as well

 

[K4fxd]

My battery is not very good my battery light is almost always on.

The car might be shutting off power assist at higher speeds to try and save the battery. I'd replace the battery before spending any money elsewhere.

 

[Mike Pfeifer]

The car might be shutting off power assist at higher speeds to try and save the battery. I'd replace the battery before spending any money elsewhere.

100% start with the battery.

 

[Thats550]

The problem could be in the steering rack itself also. Definitely replace your battery if you know it's bad. Also have the alternator checked as well

Car only has 48k miles hopefully it's not the steering rack. I have a bunch of lights and speakers installed so I always figured that'd why my battery light has been on. It's been on for months with no problem. I do get 14v when driving sometimes it goes a little under but most of the time I spend above 14v

 

[Thats550]

100% start with the battery.

Okay I guess I'll be looking into a battery. Any problems with replacing with a bigger battery?

 

[K4fxd]

Okay I guess I'll be looking into a battery. Any problems with replacing with a bigger battery?

As long as it fits in the battery box. Get the highest CCA and reserve capacity you can. I know the Odyssey battery is higher capacity.

 

[Mike Pfeifer]

Here’s the thing- the electric motor that powers the electric power steering requires a lot of current. If the voltage dips because the vehicle cannot supply the needed current, the system will “drop out”. Leading to it working then not working, then working again once the voltage increases again.

 

[Thats550]

As long as it fits in the battery box. Get the highest CCA and reserve capacity you can. I know the Odyssey battery is higher capacity.

Okay sounds good. Haven't heard of odyssey batteries. I'll check them out

 

[Mike Pfeifer]

Here’s the thing- the electric motor that powers the electric power steering requires a lot of current. If the voltage dips because the vehicle cannot supply the needed current, the system will “drop out”. Leading to it working then not working, then working again once the voltage increases again.

Also, don’t forget to perform the battery monitor reset after replacement, or you may continue to have problems.

 

[Thats550]

Here’s the thing- the electric motor that powers the electric power steering requires a lot of current. If the voltage dips because the vehicle cannot supply the needed current, the system will “drop out”. Leading to it working then not working, then working again once the voltage increases again.

Okay ya that is interesting. Thanks, good to know. It's just that it happens at the same spot on the steering wheel. About 10 degrees right. And about 95 degrees to the left. It gets stuck almost. Just more prominent at higher speeds.

 

[Thats550]

Also, don’t forget to perform the battery monitor reset after replacement, or you may continue to have problems.

Do u have to do this when disconnecting the battery for extended periods of time or only when replacing the battery!?

 

[Mike Pfeifer]

Okay ya that is interesting. Thanks, good to know. It's just that it happens at the same spot on the steering wheel. About 10 degrees right. And about 95 degrees to the left. It gets stuck almost. Just more prominent at higher speeds.

Not saying there is not some other mechanical issue going on, but you have something going on with the battery / charging system already anyway. Always best to start with what you know is wrong, before trying to go deeper. Battery is giving a warning “for some reason” and battery will directly cause that kind of issue, so natural place to start. Good luck!

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