Electric Power Steering Failure after jumping another vehicle

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skimasterg

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After using jumper cable to jump another vehicle, the Electric Power Steering didn't work anymore. Any ides where to begin to troubleshoot? Is there a fuse or is there a power line direct off the battery that might have been affected?
 

bobmbx

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After using jumper cable to jump another vehicle, the Electric Power Steering didn't work anymore. Any ides where to begin to troubleshoot? Is there a fuse or is there a power line direct off the battery that might have been affected?
Thats a new one......can you provide more details? Like Model/year, how were the cables hooked up, why was the battery dead to begin with?
 
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skimasterg

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Thanks for reply. It's a 2015 Expedition EL. Apparently it was hooked direct to other car from both positive and negative poles with the Expedition idling. I don't know exactly how cables were hooked up since my son borrowed it to jump his truck that had a dead battery. After multiple attempts at jumping his vehicle he said he got it started. When he got back in went to drive the Expedition the power steering was no longer working .
 

JExpedition07

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For future reference when you jump another vehicle with your truck don't leave yours on while the other vehicle tries to start. Hook up to the other battery and idle for a while and let your alternator charge their battery.... then unplug and let them attempt to start unhooked from you. Our modern vehicles aren't good with the jump starting and this method gets rid of risk of damaging your own vehicle. Can't help on the power steering I'm sure others will chime in.
 

stamp11127

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I agree with JExpedition07 on just charging the "dead" battery with one change. Run the charging vehicle engine rpms @1500 or slightly higher. Most alternators have low output at idle, increasing engine speed will increase the alt output.

Power steering issue - check the fuse(s) for the circuit first - use a test light or dmm on both test points with ignition in run or vehicle running.
 

Muddy Bean

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I was googling this issue and it’s a thing with newer cars with electric power steering. HHR’s, Saturns, Mazda’s...in every case I was reading it was some sort of 60amp fuse that had blown...check fuses galore.


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bobmbx

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Thanks for reply. It's a 2015 Expedition EL. Apparently it was hooked direct to other car from both positive and negative poles with the Expedition idling. I don't know exactly how cables were hooked up since my son borrowed it to jump his truck that had a dead battery. After multiple attempts at jumping his vehicle he said he got it started. When he got back in went to drive the Expedition the power steering was no longer working .
I misunderstood. I thought your expy was the dead one. I agree...first check is the fuses. I know nothing about the electric steering system. I owned mine for several months before I learned it had it.
 

J Ski

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After using jumper cable to jump another vehicle, the Electric Power Steering didn't work anymore. Any ides where to begin to troubleshoot? Is there a fuse or is there a power line direct off the battery that might have been affected?
If it’s not the fuse, I hope it’s under warranty bc Thts gonna be an expensive fix ($600-$700)
 

99WhiteC5Coupe

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If it’s not the fuse, I hope it’s under warranty bc Thts gonna be an expensive fix ($600-$700)


How were you able to provide a repair estimate cost when you don’t know what the problem is?
 

Toddb

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After using jumper cable to jump another vehicle, the Electric Power Steering didn't work anymore. Any ides where to begin to troubleshoot? Is there a fuse or is there a power line direct off the battery that might have been affected?
FWIW. had exact same problem. Used the 2016 Expy to jump start a reluctant F250 Powerstroke. Got Low Battery, Advancetrack and Hill Decent faults and electric power steering was out. Wrestled it down to the local Ford dealer. Grand total for the repair was $94.72. A $30 circuit breaker had to be ordered overnight from Phoenix. Important point learned...don't use modern cars to jumpstart anymore!
 

ExpeditionAndy

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I used my 2017 to jump start my daughters 2007 Fusion with a dead battery. I followed the directions in the owner's manual and didn't have any problems.

JUMP STARTING THE VEHICLE
WARNINGS

Batteries normally produce explosive
gases which can cause personal
injury. Therefore, do not allow
flames, sparks or lighted substances to
come near the battery. When working near
the battery, always shield your face and
protect your eyes. Always provide correct
ventilation.

Keep batteries out of reach of
children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or
clothing. Shield your eyes when working
near the battery to protect against possible
splashing of acid solution. In case of acid
contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of
15 minutes and get prompt medical
attention. If acid is swallowed, call a
physician immediately.

WARNINGS
Use only adequately sized cables
with insulated clamps.
Preparing Your Vehicle
Do not attempt to push-start your
automatic transmission vehicle.
Note: Attempting to push-start a vehicle
with an automatic transmission may cause
transmission damage.

Note: Use only a 12-volt supply to start your
vehicle.

Note: Do not disconnect the battery of the
disabled vehicle as this could damage the
vehicle electrical system.

Park the booster vehicle close to the hood
of the disabled vehicle, making sure the
two vehicles do not touch.

Connecting the Jumper Cables


WARNINGS
Do not attach the cables to fuel lines,
engine rocker covers, the intake
manifold or electrical components
as grounding points. Stay clear of moving
parts. To avoid reverse polarity
connections, make sure that you correctly
identify the positive (+) and negative (-)
terminals on both the disabled and booster
vehicles before connecting the cables.

Do not attach the end of the positive
cable to the studs or L-shaped eyelet
located above the positive (+)
terminal of your vehicle’s battery. High
current may flow through and cause
damage to the fuses.

Do not connect the end of the
second cable to the negative (-)
terminal of the battery to be jumped.
A spark may cause an explosion of the
gases that surround the battery.

1. Connect the positive (+) jumper cable
to the positive (+) terminal of the
discharged battery.

2. Connect the other end of the positive
(+) cable to the positive (+) terminal
of the booster vehicle battery.

3. Connect the negative (-) cable to the
negative (-) terminal of the booster
vehicle battery.

4. Make the final connection of the
negative (-) cable to an exposed metal
part of the stalled vehicle's engine,
away from the battery and the fuel
injection system, or connect the
negative (-) cable to a ground
connection point if available.

Jump Starting

1. Start the engine of the booster vehicle
and rev the engine moderately, or press
the accelerator gently to keep your
engine speed between 2000 and 3000
RPM, as shown in your tachometer.

2. Start the engine of the disabled vehicle.

3. Once the disabled vehicle has been
started, run both vehicle engines for an
additional three minutes before
disconnecting the jumper cables.

Removing the Jumper Cables
Remove the jumper cables in the reverse
order that they were connected.

1. Remove the negative (-) jumper cable
from the disabled vehicle.

2. Remove the jumper cable on the
negative (-) terminal of the booster
vehicle battery.

3. Remove the jumper cable from the
positive (+) terminal of the booster
vehicle battery.

4. Remove the jumper cable from the
positive (+) terminal of the disabled
vehicle battery.

5. Allow the engine to idle for at least one
minute.
 

Muddy Bean

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The days of having to maneuver vehicles nose-to-nose, dig out your jumper cables, and rev the rpms to 2,000 are long gone for me...especially with the issues some are having with the sensitive electronics...just buy a jump pack, keep it charged and stored in your truck and call it a day.
da08aa21097cf977a4c565ad7c65955d.jpg



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jkayca

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I used my 2017 to jump start my daughters 2007 Fusion with a dead battery. I followed the directions in the owner's manual and didn't have any problems.

JUMP STARTING THE VEHICLE
WARNINGS

Batteries normally produce explosive
gases which can cause personal
injury. Therefore, do not allow
flames, sparks or lighted substances to
come near the battery. When working near
the battery, always shield your face and
protect your eyes. Always provide correct
ventilation.

Keep batteries out of reach of
children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or
clothing. Shield your eyes when working
near the battery to protect against possible
splashing of acid solution. In case of acid
contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of
15 minutes and get prompt medical
attention. If acid is swallowed, call a
physician immediately.

WARNINGS
Use only adequately sized cables
with insulated clamps.
Preparing Your Vehicle
Do not attempt to push-start your
automatic transmission vehicle.
Note: Attempting to push-start a vehicle
with an automatic transmission may cause
transmission damage.

Note: Use only a 12-volt supply to start your
vehicle.

Note: Do not disconnect the battery of the
disabled vehicle as this could damage the
vehicle electrical system.

Park the booster vehicle close to the hood
of the disabled vehicle, making sure the
two vehicles do not touch.

Connecting the Jumper Cables


WARNINGS
Do not attach the cables to fuel lines,
engine rocker covers, the intake
manifold or electrical components
as grounding points. Stay clear of moving
parts. To avoid reverse polarity
connections, make sure that you correctly
identify the positive (+) and negative (-)
terminals on both the disabled and booster
vehicles before connecting the cables.

Do not attach the end of the positive
cable to the studs or L-shaped eyelet
located above the positive (+)
terminal of your vehicle’s battery. High
current may flow through and cause
damage to the fuses.

Do not connect the end of the
second cable to the negative (-)
terminal of the battery to be jumped.
A spark may cause an explosion of the
gases that surround the battery.

1. Connect the positive (+) jumper cable
to the positive (+) terminal of the
discharged battery.

2. Connect the other end of the positive
(+) cable to the positive (+) terminal
of the booster vehicle battery.

3. Connect the negative (-) cable to the
negative (-) terminal of the booster
vehicle battery.

4. Make the final connection of the
negative (-) cable to an exposed metal
part of the stalled vehicle's engine,
away from the battery and the fuel
injection system, or connect the
negative (-) cable to a ground
connection point if available.

Jump Starting

1. Start the engine of the booster vehicle
and rev the engine moderately, or press
the accelerator gently to keep your
engine speed between 2000 and 3000
RPM, as shown in your tachometer.

2. Start the engine of the disabled vehicle.

3. Once the disabled vehicle has been
started, run both vehicle engines for an
additional three minutes before
disconnecting the jumper cables.

Removing the Jumper Cables
Remove the jumper cables in the reverse
order that they were connected.

1. Remove the negative (-) jumper cable
from the disabled vehicle.

2. Remove the jumper cable on the
negative (-) terminal of the booster
vehicle battery.

3. Remove the jumper cable from the
positive (+) terminal of the booster
vehicle battery.

4. Remove the jumper cable from the
positive (+) terminal of the disabled
vehicle battery.

5. Allow the engine to idle for at least one
minute.
I've always done this method and never had an issue. The only change I do is to let the dead vehicle sit for about 5 minutes after connecting the battery and starting it. The important thing in this procedure is to connect to the correct spots, connect things in the right order and also disconnect in the right order to avoid sparks, jumps, etc.
 

Bunky

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roy utah
I'm replying to an old one but I had the exact same issue. Jumped another truck and lost power steering, traction control, and several other things. My problem was caused by a blown 125 amp fuse located on the battery positive terminal. Dealers and parts stores don't stock this item. The proper name of the fuse is
Littelfuse ZCASE Single Mega Starter Fuse 125A, 32VDC, 3298125.Z
Item #: 45590
Manufacturer Item: 3298125.Z
Manufacturer: Littelfuse

I found the fuse at Waytekwire.com for less than $5 plus shipping. Replacement is very easy. A single 10mm nut holds the fuse in place. I jury rigged an in-line 125 amp littelfuse to get the expedition running for a couple of days. Hope this helps someone in the future.
 

fh2m

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MT
FWIW. had exact same problem. Used the 2016 Expy to jump start a reluctant F250 Powerstroke. Got Low Battery, Advancetrack and Hill Decent faults and electric power steering was out. Wrestled it down to the local Ford dealer. Grand total for the repair was $94.72. A $30 circuit breaker had to be ordered overnight from Phoenix. Important point learned...don't use modern cars to jumpstart anymore!
Do you recall which circuit breaker had to be ordered for the repair? Thanks.
 
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