Power steering

[alex2009]

Maybe someone on here can help me out. I always have to harp on the girlfriend about keeping her car up on maintenance. I have a 2005 Cobalt about 38000 miles and the power steering is starting to go out. There arn't any leeks and the engine is pretty clean. She is going to take it in to get looked at but this is frickin frustrating. Any help is appreciated

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[shawnvw]

You won't notice any leaks for the power steering. They don't use a hydraulic pump anymore. There is an electric motor mounted to the steering shaft, and if the wheel is turned all the way to the end several times, or held there, the motor will stop providing assistance for a short period of time untill it cools off. I don't know if this is your problem or not as you didn't really describe what its doing.
At any rate, here is a document from GM explaing the circumstances.


#06-02-32-002C: Normal Operating Characteristics of Electric Power Steering (EPS) System During Extended Lock-to-Lock Turns (Maximum Steerign Wheel Rotation) and/or DTCs C0176 and C0476 Set - (Apr 10, 2008)

Subject:

Normal Operating Characteristics of Electric Power Steering (EPS) System During Extended Lock-to-Lock Turns (Maximum Steering Wheel Rotation) and/or DTCs C0176 and C0476 Set

Models:

2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Malibu Maxx (excluding 2006-2007 SS and 2007 Maxx models)

2005-2008 Chevrolet Cobalt, Equinox

2006-2008 Chevrolet HHR

2005-2008 Pontiac G6 (excluding 2006-2007 GTP, 2006-2008 Convertible and 2007-2008 GT models)

2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit (Canada Only)

2006-2008 Pontiac Torrent

2007-2008 Pontiac G5

2002-2008 Saturn VUE

2003-2007 Saturn ION

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This bulletin is being updated with the 2008 model year. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 06-02-32-002B (Section 02 - Steering).

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The purpose of this bulletin is to inform technicians of normal operating characteristics of the electric power steering system (EPS) when the steering wheel is turned in either direction for an extended period of time.

When the steering wheel is turned to its maximum rotation, the power steering control module (PSCM) will command the maximum amount of current to the EPS motor. If the steering wheel is held in this position for an extended period of time, the PSCM will go into overload protection mode to avoid system thermal damage. In this mode, the PSCM will limit the amount of current commanded to the EPS motor, which reduces steering assist levels.

If the PSCM detects a high system temperature and the overload protection mode is invoked, DTC C0176 "System Thermal Error" may be set. On some models, DTC C0476 "Electric Steering Motor Circuit Range/Performance" may also be set. These DTCs indicate normal PSCM action (reduced steering assist) to prevent thermal damage to power steering system components.

Refer to Power Steering System Description and Operation in SI or the appropriate Service Manual for more information about this and other vehicle-specific information on electric power steering systems.
For customer inquiries regarding this characteristic, please refer to the Steering section under Driving Your Vehicle in the appropriate Owner Manual (reproduced below for reference).

Owner Manual Information

If you turn the steering wheel in either direction several times until it stops, or hold the steering wheel in the stopped position for an extended amount of time, you may notice a reduced amount of power steering assist. The normal amount of power steering assist should return shortly after a few normal steering movements.