BurbMan wrote:
Hi Will, assuming you flat-tow the Taurus, it's highly unlikely that anything from towing could/would have damaged system by itself. Here is a good tech article on diagnosing EPAS systems.
Thanks, Don, good information there. Yes, we have flat towed this vehicle ever since we bought it, several years ago. Is my daily driver, also. Been very reliable all these years for everything, has needed nothing but routine maintenance until this. It 'survived' two moves also, and was used to tow a Uhaul trailer for both moves. Has been one of the best cars I've owned.
You don't mention if you got any codes or symptoms that caused you to bring the car to the dealer. The article does point out that damaged suspension components will cause the EPAS to throw a code, and that damaged bellows on the steering rack that let dirt/moisture in also affect system performance.
Yes, it did throw codes, but I do not have specific codes. Started it up one day, and message came up saying power assisted steering faulty, needs servicing. And, power steering was shut off, was like trying to steer a dump truck through mud, haha! Shut it off, waited 2 minutes, cranked it back up, and all was fine, haha! Took it to dealer next day, power steering failed on them as well when test driving it, they indicated trouble codes it threw indicated the power steering unit/assembly was going out, and would soon quit completely.
Similar to how old-fashioned power steering works, the rack is free to move on its own, but no assistance is provided unless called for, and without power to the unit it won't attempt to assist. Is it possible there is power to the EPAS unit when being flat-towed so it's trying to provide assistance?
No, that is definitely not the case. Power steering is off, except when engine is on.
What did the dealer say was wrong with the unit when they replaced it?
See previous comments. Dealer just said that trouble codes it was throwing, as well as the way the steering felt when test driving it, indicated the EPAS was going out, and would soon quit completely. This is a dealer service group I've known and relied on for a long time (20 years) for several vehicles, so I'm pretty confident they are being honest.
It is still being repaired, parts didn't come in until today. They supposed to have it done either today or tomorrow. Apparently, the EPAS unit rarely ever goes out, which is why it took the dealer a while to get the new unit (a week). The fact this part rarely goes out, is why I was suspicious that maybe the flat towing might have been a factor. Maybe not, may well just be my bad luck, as dodge guy indicated. :)
