Although not a Volvo, my Ford Kuga displays the message " power steering malfunction " when I start on a cold morning, only lasts for a second. I'm told it's a glitch caused by the drop in battery voltage during starting. Doesn't affect the steering.

 

Yeah, but my steering goes stiff indeed .
Battery is 1 year old .
It cannot be that .
Thanks for You input anyway !
I will keep on looking.

 

You're realistically going to need proper Volvo diagnostics connected to say what is wrong.

 

best you can probably do is check all the fuses and the multiplugs on the power steering motor

 

There is a fuse for the power steering?
I will give the check

 

Find someone with a Vida unit to plug in, a few people on here have one. Where abouts are you located?

 

Reading UK

 

Reading Berks

 

Sure it's not a sticky relay?

 

Hi guys ,

Last Friday I saw a message “ power steering service required “ after which the steering went stiff .
Every time now after starting the engine the message appears and then steering goes stiff .
I did disconnect the battery trying to reset maybe a fault sensor ? Nope .
Also silly me ; checked for a steering fluid reservoir everywhere ( yep , it’s an electric system )
What else can I do before going to see the mechanic ( I am dreading the news )

Mark, Volvo v40 2013 2.0 diesel manual .
Also many thanks 🙏

V

Sure it's not a sticky relay?

V40 owner power steering service required garage tells me new steering rack required £1800 +vat did you solve your problem???

 

ok. So my mechanic placed a used steering rack but from o different car .
Same matching part numbers .
Same problem. Hard to steer and again “steering service required “ message is on .
Now that part was programmed for the other car only .
You cannot program it for my car .
Volvo is programming parts effectively locking it up just for one particular car !!!
Only Volvo can give me a new part and program it which the cost will be huge .
What can I do ? Can I take the module form the old part which should have the right program ? Volvo are so cheeky ! Last time I bought this junk .

 

Hi

Hi guys ,

Last Friday I saw a message “ power steering service required “ after which the steering went stiff .
Every time now after starting the engine the message appears and then steering goes stiff .
I did disconnect the battery trying to reset maybe a fault sensor ? Nope .
Also silly me ; checked for a steering fluid reservoir everywhere ( yep , it’s an electric system )
What else can I do before going to see the mechanic ( I am dreading the news )

Mark, Volvo v40 2013 2.0 diesel manual .
Also many thanks 🙏

HI did you manage to fix the power steering problem, coz I'm also experiencing the same problem.

 

Hi

HI did you manage to fix the power steering problem, coz I'm also experiencing the same problem.

Hi Danny,
How did you manage to sort out your car? I have same issue with my V40.

Thanks,
Stef

 

Hi guys ,

Last Friday I saw a message “ power steering service required “ after which the steering went stiff .
Every time now after starting the engine the message appears and then steering goes stiff .
I did disconnect the battery trying to reset maybe a fault sensor ? Nope .
Also silly me ; checked for a steering fluid reservoir everywhere ( yep , it’s an electric system )
What else can I do before going to see the mechanic ( I am dreading the news )

Mark, Volvo v40 2013 2.0 diesel manual .
Also many thanks 🙏

Hi
I'm experiencing this problem, was yours fixed.

 

I am suspicious its a battery voltage fault, my v40 battery is now 9 years old, and I get this steering fault when engine is cold, only lasts a few seconds tho. Car still starts nicely even at -5, so wont replace battery till it fails.

 

Im also experiencing the same problem i have a volvo s40 2005 with a message power steering service required and the steering wheel is very stiff anyone who may help please

 

Im also experiencing the same problem i have a volvo s40 2005 with a message power steering service required and the steering wheel is very stiff anyone who may help please

did you check the power steering fluid? If that note pops up then you need to change/refill the fluid.

 

Nope .
Also silly me ; checked for a steering fluid reservoir everywhere ( yep , it’s an electric system )
What else can I do before going to see the mechanic ( I am dreading the news )

 

did any one get this sorted? we have the issue now. the car locked on the steering so we bought a replacement from a scrap yard - steering rack - it works but needs reprogramming now to our car - need to find someone who can do it in liver pool area - just wondering if anyone resolved the issue?

 

As far as Volvo are concerned, you cannot reprogram a previously used rack, it has to be a new part. I made some suggestions on the below thread, but no-one came back to report a successful conclusion. if it is possible, it would have to be someone such as VDash, which does have the ability to copy and restore the data in some ECUs, or a specialist auto electrician with the equipment to do similar. But I don't know whether it can be done with the EPS unit.

https://www.volvov40club.com/threads/steering-rack-not-programmed.38340/

 

I have the same problem. Car was fine on Friday, started OK Monday morning but showing "power steering service required" on the display. Strange to fail suddenly like this? Thought maybe low fluid but then thought it would say that instead, like low brake fluid, etc. Since reading the posts here it seems that it's electric power steering. I could turn steering wheel to the right with some effort but turning left was almost impossible. Haven't had a look yet and PRAYING that it's just a fuse but where to look with three fuse boxes - engine compartment, under glove box and under front seat? Question is - can it suddenly fail while driving? That could be catastrophic! Turn into a bend and then suddenly you can't straighten up! That's not Volvo "safety" which they are renowned for! Hoping this won't be expensive.

 

Hi Peter,
I have same issue with my V40. How did you manage to sort out your car?
Thanks,
Stef

 

Hi guys

Any solution for power steering issue getting stiff and warning on dashboard?

Cheers JF

 

As per the above thread, you will need a diagnostic check to find out the stored faults which have caused the service required message to be displayed.

But failure of these electronic steering racks which are shared with Ford, is not unknown, and it may be that a new steering rack is required.

Without the fault codes though, it is impossible to know for certain.