Power Steering/servotronic problems

[OrientBlue740il]

So yesterday when is started my car and proceeded to back out of my parking spot i noticed that my steering took way more effort to turn. I then proceeded to turn off the car to check the power steering fluid level i added somw chf-11S because my car has the SLS suspension then restarted the car and turned the steeringwheel from far left to right to get the fluid going but it was still stiff. Also when i first start the car for the first 15 seconds the steering is normal then gets really heavy. My question is do you think that the "servotronic" has to be replaced? Or is my power steering pump failing? Thanks

[ricostewart]

Mine was doing the same thing, pump was leaking after topping off with pentosin. Had to have the power steering assay replaced. Is it leaking?

[OrientBlue740il]

Mine was doing the same thing, pump was leaking after topping off with pentosin. Had to have the power steering assay replaced. Is it leaking?

Yeah the fluid is leaking from the hoses on the bottom of the resivoir

[ricostewart]

Check the hoses, if not leaking then it could be the pump...I'll wait on the others to chime later.

[shled]

If the hardware all check out, ask someone with INPA/DIS laptop to clear codes in your GM.
After thirty low voltage errors it shuts down Servotronic and these errors are easy to accumulate if the battery is low when you start up.

[OrientBlue740il]

If the hardware all check out, ask someone with INPA/DIS laptop to clear codes in your GM.
After thirty low voltage errors it shuts down Servotronic and these errors are easy to accumulate if the battery is low when you start up.

I hope i can find someone in the bay area who can clear the codes for me

[740iSport303]

I have PASoft 1.4.0 and am unsure if it can clear this (I'll have to test on mine) but I'd be glad to help. However I'm in the East Bay by Walnut Creek.

[OrientBlue740il]

I have PASoft 1.4.0 and am unsure if it can clear this (I'll have to test on mine) but I'd be glad to help. However I'm in the East Bay by Walnut Creek.

Can you please test it out? Im in the san francisco area and i'd give you gas $$ to drive up to my area because my car is pretty much undrivable. Because the steering is so stiff

[AquilaBMW]

I have PASoft 1.4.0 and am unsure if it can clear this (I'll have to test on mine) but I'd be glad to help. However I'm in the East Bay by Walnut Creek.

Can you please test it out? Im in the san francisco area and i'd give you gas $$ to drive up to my area because my car is pretty much undrivable. Because the steering is so stiff

Let's get together guys. Steve has PASoft which I might be able to use to re-program an AGS into my E39 and I have the IceBox which has DIS on it.

We should be able to figure this out together. I am having the same issue with my E38 and can't seem to clear the issue. Might be the steering angle sensor.

[OrientBlue740il]

Let's get together guys. Steve has PASoft which I might be able to use to re-program an AGS into my E39 and I have the IceBox which has DIS on it.

We should be able to figure this out together. I am having the same issue with my E38 and can't seem to clear the issue. Might be the steering angle sensor.

That sounds like a great plan. So youre getting the heavy steering as well? Ive seen an old diy from edwin and he said if its heavy steering while at idle it might be the servotronic that has to be replaced but im not sure

[bigvettefreak]

I replaced the servotronic valve , Pump & hoses and after two weeks, my steering started to get stiff again when I first started the car and then got better as I drove it. really strange and no one really has any idea as to what it might be. The Body Module would either work or not, the battery is new so I have no idea what it could be. Good luck with yours. I to have an angle sensor code. but again, it wouldn't get better after it got warmer and I am pretty sure it would only effect the traction control not the servotronic steering feel.

[OrientBlue740il]

I replaced the servotronic valve , Pump & hoses and after two weeks, my steering started to get stiff again when I first started the car and then got better as I drove it. really strange and no one really has any idea as to what it might be. The Body Module would either work or not, the battery is new so I have no idea what it could be. Good luck with yours. I to have an angle sensor code. but again, it wouldn't get better after it got warmer and I am pretty sure it would only effect the traction control not the servotronic steering feel.

Same with me my battery is fairly new less than a year and a half old. I just dont know where to start while tackling this issue i dont just wanna throw a whole lot of $$ without knowing the exact issue.

[IcemanBHE]

Pretty sure that LWS Steering angle sensors will goof up the Servotronic if not corrected.

Fault like 50x times...

[Pedro Rabie]

Great Iceman,

Could you please confirm the part number of such LWS steering angle sensor?

Are we talking about part #9?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...g=30&lang=enUS

Regards

P.

[IcemanBHE]

Yes sir.

[DukeEllington]

I replaced the servotronic valve , Pump & hoses and after two weeks, my steering started to get stiff again when I first started the car and then got better as I drove it. really strange and no one really has any idea as to what it might be. The Body Module would either work or not, the battery is new so I have no idea what it could be. Good luck with yours. I to have an angle sensor code. but again, it wouldn't get better after it got warmer and I am pretty sure it would only effect the traction control not the servotronic steering feel.

I have this problem also. I think the interesting point is; after you change these parts it delayed the symptoms for around two weeks

[santacruz]

the servotronic valve is often the raeson for problems. you can try to clean it.

[twosevenfortys]

I have 2001 e38 heavy steering problem very similar to that described in this thread. Being on front end if problem I did the 9 volt test, bought diagnostic computer and ran inpa error tests but am now not sure I'm any closer to knowing which way to go.
Got two static errors under ZKE3_GM1 : 31 error occurences of Cable Tacho A (speedometer) or IKE missing and 31 occurences of Open circuit servo valve or cable and proceeded to clear all errors but heavy steering persists. Next step would be to purchase and replace new servo valve but unsure if that will solve problem from what I see on this thread

[IcemanBHE]

Whats up Stan?

[Smitherines]

I have 2001 e38 heavy steering problem very similar to that described in this thread. Being on front end if problem I did the 9 volt test, bought diagnostic computer and ran inpa error tests but am now not sure I'm any closer to knowing which way to go.
Got two static errors under ZKE3_GM1 : 31 error occurences of Cable Tacho A (speedometer) or IKE missing and 31 occurences of Open circuit servo valve or cable and proceeded to clear all errors but heavy steering persists. Next step would be to purchase and replace new servo valve but unsure if that will solve problem from what I see on this thread

Before you buy a new valve, even though that's probably what it is, check wiring integrity and resistance from the module to the valve and make sure its less than .4ohms, preferably .1 or .2ohms. Also check resistance to ground to make sure it's not shorted. It's a small and simple check that may save you replacing the valve or module. Also check the valve itself and see if you have any continuity and resistance through it.

[twosevenfortys]

Before you buy a new valve, even though that's probably what it is, check wiring integrity and resistance from the module to the valve and make sure its less than .4ohms, preferably .1 or .2ohms. Also check resistance to ground to make sure it's not shorted. It's a small and simple check that may save you replacing the valve or module. Also check the valve itself and see if you have any continuity and resistance through it.

The computer system and the ultra-professional support from Icemanbhe has paid for itself times over as the heavy steering problem is now solved without going through the agony of replacing a number of expensive and difficult to replace parts

Steps to success in summary:
>9 volt test - no luck
> Secured Icemanbhe diagnostic computer - read up on how to use it - ended up using INPA
> Ran error memory tests and found that error 128 and 130 repeated 31 times exactly
> Printed report of all codes and sent to Icemanbhe
> Cleared all codes and re-ran error reoport immediately then drive car
>Drove car immediatly but did NOT see improvement in heavy steering - needless to say fear set in
>Contacted Icemanbhe who suggested running car through a number of cycles before taking next steps
> Ran car again after it had sat off for a while and to pleasant surprise steering as light as a feather
> Very thankful I invested in the diagnostic computer - with 2 - 2001 740's this has already paid for itself by clearing all nusance codes and solving steering problem and now in position to accurately troubleshoot going forward

[twosevenfortys]

Almost as icing on the cake, now after replacing AUC sensor full errr memory test diagnostics returned ZERO errors

total success - hope it lasts

more power to icemanbhe and his system and follow up extensive technical support

[shenofjo]

reviving an old thread. My father's 95 740il is having the heavy steering and I wonder if anyone in the Sacramento area has the computer software to pull and clear any errors. They are considering selling it and I said let me see if I can get this fixed before making any moves!

[caplt4]

I have this problem with my 97 e38 and talked about on another tread, they said about the servotronic, I check my car but my car don't have one, I replace the steering pump but nothing, still have a hard steering but is drive able

[shenofjo]

Maybe you need one? This is what I found to try to narrow down the problem for those that don't have the DIS/ INPA
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/859479