If you are experiencing a warning in your car’s panel having the message Power Steering Assist Fault then it means there is some problem related to the power steering system that needs to be addressed. Faults can be electrical, mechanical, or in some cases just temporary and can be quickly fixed just by removing the battery terminals for a few minutes. In this guide, you will learn how to quickly reset the system and get rid of the fault message. These types of faults are common in some of Ford’s models including Fusion, Focus, Explorer, Escape, and Ford Ranger. Some of the common related fault codes are U3000 : 96, U3000 : 13, U3000 : 49 and U3000 : 53.
Before starting make sure your car is parked safely, the ignition is turned off, and you are using safety gloves. You do not need to have all the tools just a basic wrench can do the job for you.
Check Battery
Start with the simplest check. If the battery is not delivering the required voltage or power in this case it could be the fault of the battery, not the power steering system. For this purpose, you need to test battery voltages with and without load using a multimeter. If it is found faulty then replace it with a new one.
Check Fuse and wiring
Locate the fuse box and its wiring. Use the owner’s manual if you are unable to find it. The fuse box cover also has the details of the fuses and relays. Search for the power steering fuse. You can use a nose plier to remove the fuse or by hand and examine it if it looks fine or not. If you find any signs of corrosion, plastic brittleness, or loose connection then you can replace it. Always use the same ampere fuse if you are going to replace it with a new one. If the fuse looks good then just clean its metal end with sandpaper and place it again.
Visually inspect the power steering wring and check for any loose connection or damaged wire.
Disconnect Battery
If the wiring and fuses look fine then the next step is to disconnect the terminals using a wrench tool. Remove both terminals of the battery and wait for 10 minutes. If you find any corrosion or rust in the terminals or connectors then clean them with sandpaper. Disconnecting the battery from car’s electrical system for a few minutes resets the car’s ECU and other programmed units.
Be extra careful while dealing with the battery. Always use safety gloves and do not try to touch the terminals with wet hands or barefoot.
Reconnect battery
After 10 minutes reconnect the battery terminals with the connectors one by one using a wrench tool. Always prefer to connect the positive end first followed by the negative. Make sure to tighten the terminals well with a wrench tool.
Test steering
Turn the ignition on and check if the warning message has gone or not. It may take some time to go. If the same warning remains there you can try to lock and unlock the steering several times. If it works then you can take a test drive to confirm if it has gone permanently or not.
Scan with an OBD2 scanner
If the power steering assist fault warning does not turn off by the removing the battery terminals method then you need the scanner to remove the code. Attach the OBD2 scanner wait for the code to appear and then remove it.
Update software
If none of the above methods works then try to update the software. In some cases simply updating the software can remove many codes.
Mechanical Inspection
Mechanical faults related to power steering can also be the reason for the warning message in your car’s panel. Locate the power steering and inspect visually for any damaged, rusted, or broken parts. Check power steering oil and other mechanical parts like steering rods, boots, and grease. Thoroughly inspect the bottom and check if there are any signs of oil leakages. If found then get them repaired with the mechanic at your earliest.
Conclusion
In most cases, the power steering assist fault is due to some electrical fault and you can fix it yourself by following the simple steps. The fault warning can also be due to some mechanical problem with the power steering, which needs proper inspection and solution by a professional mechanic.