Anyone have any instructions on the replacement of the electric power steering motor for a 06 Cobalt? No YouTube vid on this. And Google isn't much help either. You would think with such a serious problem there would be a whole lot info out there. Thanks.

 

Here is what I found, if I read it correctly the whole assembly has to be replace not just the motor...


Service Information
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt | Cobalt, Pursuit (VIN A) Service Manual | Document ID: 1614857
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Power Steering System Description and Operation
The electric power steering (EPS) system reduces the amount of effort needed to steer the vehicle. The system uses the body control module (BCM), power steering control module (PSCM), torque sensor, discrete battery voltage supply circuit, EPS motor, serial data bus, and the instrument panel cluster (IPC) message center to perform the system functions. The PSCM, torque sensor, not the EPS motor are serviced separately from each other or from the steering column. Any EPS components diagnosed to be malfunctioning requires replacement of the steering column assembly, also known as the EPS assembly.

Torque Sensor
The PSCM uses a torque sensor as it's main input for determining the amount of steering assist. The steering column has an input shaft, from the steering wheel to the torque sensor, and an output shaft, from the torque sensor to the steering shaft coupler. The input and output shafts are separated by a torsion bar, where the torque sensor is located. The sensor consists of a compensation coil, detecting coil and 3 detecting rings. These detecting rings have toothed edges that face each other. Detecting ring 1 is fixed to the output shaft, detecting rings 2 and 3 are fixed top the input shaft. The detecting coil is positioned around the toothed edges of detecting rings 1 and 2. As torque is applied to the steering column shaft the alignment of the teeth between detecting rings 1 and 2 changes, which causes the detecting coil signal voltage to change. The PSCM recognizes this change in signal voltage as steering column shaft torque. The compensation coil is used to compensate for changes in electrical circuit impedance due to circuit temperature changes from the electrical current and voltage levels as well as ambient temperatures for accurate torque detection.

EPS Motor
The EPS motor is a 12-volt brushed DC reversible motor with a 58-amp rating. The motor assists steering through a worm shaft and reduction gear located in the steering column housing.

Power Steering Control Module (PSCM)
The PSCM uses a combination of torque sensor inputs, vehicle speed, calculated system temperature and the steering calibration to determine the amount of steering assist. When the steering wheel is turned, the PSCM uses signal voltage from the torque sensor to detect the amount of torque being applied to the steering column shaft and the amount of current to command to the EPS motor. The PSCM receives serial data from the engine control module (ECM) to determine vehicle speed. At low speeds more assist is provided for easy turning during parking maneuvers. At high speeds, less assist is provided for improved road feel and directional stability. The PSCM nor the EPS motor are designed to handle 58 amps continuously. 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. The PSCM also chooses which steering calibration to use when the ignition is turned ON, based on the production map number stored in the BCM. The PSCM contains all 8 of the steering calibrations which are different in relation to the vehicles RPOs. The PSCM has the ability to detect malfunctions within the EPS system. Any malfunction detected will cause the IPC message center to display PWR STR (or Power Steering) warning message.

 

Thank you

 

For a problem this serious which i am experiencing in my 2009 Cobalt, Chevy hasn't included a coded way for the Dealership maintenance to assess what has gone wrong in the system when you get dash board alerts and warnings and you suddenly have no power steering and the Dealership tells you until it pulls this little trick in their presence, they can do nothing for you. It seems we just have to hope that when it goes out on us, we don't kill ourselves or anyone around us on the road at that time. I have written Chevrolet GM about this and am s till waiting for an answer. We who have to have the problem fixed for us, can't even take the car in for that fix. Just like the problem Chevy had with the ignition switches that caused 11 known deaths, looks like the aging Cobalt might have another fatal flaw. Waiting to hear from GM Chevrolet what they plan to do about it. If we all wrote them...... everyone with an aging Cobalt, whether they've encountered this or not since yours is in a 2006 and mine in a 2009. When my steering went out i couldn't move the steering wheel an inch even with both hands pulling on it for all i was worth.
mewasindog