Normal Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2018 Ford EcoSport. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

EPAS equipped vehicles have a control strategy which reduces the pull at the steering wheel required to keep the vehicle traveling straight.

The system starts compensating when vehicle speed exceeds 40 km/h (25 mph) and the vehicle is traveling straight. The system compensates on any road crown condition; however, some amount of pull is present during, and shortly after, quick lane transitions. After driving straight on a constant road crown with both hands on the wheel for at least 45 seconds, the pull condition can then be assessed.

The system does not compensate when turning at low speeds.

For the system to compensate, the driver must have both hands on the steering wheel.

This test generates a RVC for a new PSCM when directed to do so from pinpoint test. A RVC is required to order a new PSCM and to document billing for payment.

NOTE: If a damaged bellows boot(s) was discovered during Inspection and Verification and this pinpoint test DOES NOT lead to the installation of a new EPAS gear or bellows boot(s), then GO to Pinpoint Test K to address the damaged boot(s) before returning the vehicle to the customer.

H1: VEHICLE PULL/DRIFT EVALUATION

Test drive the vehicle in the following manner:
- Drive straight on a constant right road crown, at a speed greater than 40 km/h (25 mph), with your hands on the steering wheel for greater than 45 seconds.
- Drive straight on a constant left road crown, at a speed greater than 40 km/h (25 mph), with your hands on the steering wheel for greater than 45 seconds.
- Drive straight on a road with constant minimal road crown, at a speed greater than 40 km/h (25 mph), with your hands on the steering wheel for greater than 45 seconds.
If the vehicle pulls left on a left crown, pulls right on a right crown and does not pull on flat (no crown) roads when driven as instructed above, the vehicle is performing as designed.
Is the vehicle performing as designed?

Yes	No
RETURN the vehicle to the customer and EXPLAIN the drift-pull compensation operation to the customer. If this is a Ford paid repair, INCLUDE the RVC on the warranty claim form.	Go to H2.

H2: CHECK THE STEERING WHEEL INSTALLATION

Verify the steering wheel connection is not bent or twisted and the steering wheel has been correctly installed. Refer to appropriate Steering Column article.
Is the steering wheel connection undamaged and has the steering wheel been correctly installed?

Yes	No
Go to H6.	REINSTALL or INSTALL new component(s) as necessary. REFER to appropriate Steering Column article. DRIVE the vehicle to VERIFY the repair.

H3: GUIDED DIAGNOSTIC QUESTION

Were you guided to this information from Pinpoint Test A: Vehicle Drifts/Pulls of the approrpiate Suspension System - General Information?

Yes	No
Go to H11.	Go to H6.

H4: CHECK THE SECM FOR DTCS

Ignition ON, engine OFF.
Carry out the SECM self-test.
Are there any DTCs present in the SECM?

Yes	No
DIAGNOSE all SECM DTCs. REFER to appropriate Power Steering article - Vehicles With: Active Steering.	Go to H5.

H5: RESET THE STEERING WHEEL ANGLE SENSOR TRIM AND THE STEERING MOTOR ANGLE TRIM

Using a diagnostic scan tool, carry out the Steering Wheel Angle Sensor Trim routine.
Using a diagnostic scan tool, carry out the Steering Motor Angle Trim routine.
Using alignment equipment and the manufacturer's instructions, reset the front toe. Refer to appropriate Suspension article.
Test drive the vehicle in the following manner:
- Drive straight on a constant right road crown, at a speed greater than 40 km/h (25 mph), with your hands on the steering wheel for greater than 45 seconds.
- Drive straight on a constant left road crown, at a speed greater than 40 km/h (25 mph), with your hands on the steering wheel for greater than 45 seconds.
- Drive straight on a road with constant minimal road crown, at a speed greater than 40 km/h (25 mph), with your hands on the steering wheel for greater than 45 seconds.
Is the drift, pull, wander or clear vision concern still present?

Yes	No
Go to H6.	The concern has been repaired and was most likely caused by an un-trimmed steering wheel sensor, steering motor sensor or front toe out of adjustment. RETURN the vehicle to the customer.

H6: CHECK FOR UNEVENLY LOADED VEHICLE

Visually check the vehicle for an uneven loading condition.
Is the vehicle unevenly loaded?

Yes	No
ADVISE the customer of uneven loading condition.	Go to H7.

H7: CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURES AND CONDITIONS

Check the tire pressures. Refer to the VC label.
Check the tires for uneven/abnormal wear. Refer to Diagnosis and Testing - Wheels and Tires in appropriate Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) article or appropriate Wheels and Tires article.
Are the tire pressures and tire conditions OK?

Yes	No
Go to H8.	ADJUST the tire pressures to the specified pressure or INSTALL new tires as necessary.

H8: ISOLATE TIRE DRIFT/PULL CONDITION

Cross the front wheel and tire assemblies from left-to-right. Refer to appropriate Wheels and Tires article.
Test drive the vehicle.
Does the vehicle drift or pull?

Yes	No
If the vehicle drifts or pulls in the same direction. Go to H9. If the vehicle drifts or pulls in the opposite direction, tire forces are causing the drift-pull. REFER to appropriate Wheels and Tire article to diagnose tire concern.	Tire forces were causing the drift-pull concern. The customers concern has been corrected.

H9: CHECK FOR BRAKE DRAG

Spin all 4 wheel and tire assemblies by hand and check for brake drag.
Do the wheels spin freely?

Yes	No
Go to H10.	REFER to appropriate Brake System article to diagnose the brake drag condition.

H10: CHECK THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT

Using alignment equipment and the manufacturer's instructions, check the wheel alignment.
Is the wheel alignment out of specification?

Yes	No
ADJUST the alignment as necessary. REFER to General Procedures in appropriate Suspension article.	Go to H11.

H11: CHECK THE STEERING GEAR MOUNT FASTENERS
- With the transmission in NEUTRAL, position the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to appropriate Jacking and Lifting article.
- Check the steering gear for loose fasteners.
- Are the fasteners ok?

H12: CHECK THE STEERING GEAR MOUNT BUSHINGS

Check the steering gear for worn or damaged gear-mount bushings.
Are the bushings ok?

Yes	No
Go to H13.	INSTALL a new EPAS gear. REFER to appropriate Power Steering article. ORDER a replacement PSCM and INCLUDE the RVC on the form. If this is a Ford paid repair, INCLUDE the RVC on the warranty claim form. When complete, SELECT the "X" in the top right corner to CLOSE this procedure.

H13: CHECK THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT FASTENERS

Verify the steering column shaft rotates freely and is not grounded against other vehicle components.
Does the steering shaft rotate freely and is it free from grounding against other components?

Yes	No
Go to H14.	REPAIR or INSTALL new component(s) as necessary. REFER to appropriate Steering Column article. DRIVE the vehicle to VERIFY the repair.

H14: INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT U-JOINTS

NOTE: Do not allow the steering column to rotate while the steering column shaft is disconnected or damage to the clockspring may result. If there is evidence that the steering column shaft has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and re centered. For additional information, refer to Clockspring removal and installation in appropriate SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM article.

Disconnect the steering column intermediate shaft from the EPAS gear.
- Discard the bolt.
Inspect the steering column shaft U-joints for looseness or wear.
Are the steering column shaft U-joints okay?

Yes	No
CONNECT the steering column shaft to the EPAS gear. INSTALL a new bolt and tighten to specifications, REFER to Specifications in appropriate Power Steering article. REFER to appropriate Suspension article to diagnose further possible causes.	INSTALL a new steering column shaft assembly. REFER to appropriate Steering Column article. When complete, SELECT the "X" in the top right corner to CLOSE this procedure.