Intermittent loss of power steering

[uberlisk]

My Ranger recently has a power steering problem. On start up, the power steering may lose and a warning shows up saying power steering need service. Sometimes this issue will not happen at start up. During the driving till next start up, the power steering will not come back or go out, it stays as it is just started.

Here are the checks I have done:
1. fuses are good
2. new battery installed
3. DTC codes: U3000:41-8B , U0420:86-AF

What shall I check next? Is it a wiring problem or the power steering motor/rack need replacement?


Here are DTC details from Forscan:

===PSCM DTC U3000:41-8B===
Code: U3000 - Control Module

Additional Fault Symptom (41):
- General Checksum Failure

Status (-8B):
- DTC Present at Time of Request
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp is On for this DTC

Module: Power Steering Control Module

===END PSCM DTC U3000:41-8B===

===IPMA DTC U0420:86-AF===
Code: U0420 - Invalid Data Received from Power Steering Control Module 'A'

Additional Fault Symptom (86):
- Signal Invalid

Status (-AF):
- DTC Present at Time of Request
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp is On for this DTC

Module: Image Processing Module A

Freeze Frame #1:
-EVENT_TIME: 99246571 s (Sat Jul 26 09:58:19 2025) - Event time
-TOTAL_DISTANCE: 29806 km - Total Distance
-MODULE_VOLTAGE: 11.8 V - Control Module Voltage
-OUTDOOR_TEMPERATURE: 25 °C - Outside temperature
-ECU_POWER_SUPPLY: 11.5 V - ECU Power Supply Voltage
-ECU_INTERNAL_TEMPERATURE: 42 °C - ECU Internal Temperature
===END IPMA DTC U0420:86-AF===

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[Frenchy]

I know you probably don't want to hear this, but have you tried the idea of taking it to your local Ford dealer?

 

[airline tech]

You can check a few things as it just may be a corroded or bad connection.

Pull and inspect the connectors on the EPAS Gear (Rack), I suspect corrosion on one of the pins

Pull and inspect the pins of Fuse # 19 - BJB (engine bay fuse box) , note if you have anything tapped to this fuse for additional lighting etc - may be the issue with the accessory pulling the circuit down as this is a highly popular spot to tap.

Plus check fuse #2 on the BMFL - its the 125 Amp fuse, pull it off and inspect for security as they are known to not fully blow and give you only partial voltage. (Vibration + Heat)

If all of the above checks are good then its most likely the EPAS Gear itself, but I think by your issue its just a bad connection and its not receiving proper power or ground.

Plus - a new battery, but did you perform the BMS Reset and was the charging system tested.
I am looking at the (IPMA) voltage at the time of your scan (Freeze Frame), if the engine was running the voltage is low.
So verify the charging system is working correctly as the PSCM is a high amperage draw and may not be getting the required voltage it needs to function.

 

[Retirednavy2010]

You can check a few things as it just may be a corroded or bad connection.

Pull and inspect the connectors on the EPAS Gear (Rack), I suspect corrosion on one of the pins

Pull and inspect the pins of Fuse # 19 - BJB (engine bay fuse box) , note if you have anything tapped to this fuse for additional lighting etc - may be the issue with the accessory pulling the circuit down as this is a highly popular spot to tap.

Plus check fuse #2 on the BMFL - its the 125 Amp fuse, pull it off and inspect for security as they are known to not fully blow and give you only partial voltage. (Vibration + Heat)

If all of the above checks are good then its most likely the EPAS Gear itself, but I think by your issue its just a bad connection and its not receiving proper power or ground.

Plus - a new battery, but did you perform the BMS Reset and was the charging system tested.
I am looking at the (IPMA) voltage at the time of your scan (Freeze Frame), if the engine was running the voltage is low.
So verify the charging system is working correctly as the PSCM is a high amperage draw and may not be getting the required voltage it needs to function.

Ya, what he said!

 

[uberlisk]

Thank you guys for the detailed instructions.

I have checked the fuses, they are all in good condition.

I have resetted the battery management system and charged the battery to full, now its voltage is 12.7v. The battery tester shows it is 100% healthy level. The engine starts faster than using the 3 years old battery.

The connectors on the steering rack I cannot access it, it is behind a metal plate.

The steering was lost on wednesday and thursday on first start up. The steering was ok on friday and saturday on first start up of the day.

I scheduled a inspection in a Ford dealer on September as most of their mechanics are on vacation. I will come back with news.

 

[uberlisk]

I'm back with the results from Ford garage. The reparation takes one month due to shipping delay of the components.
The steering rack has a problem in the controller and steering motor. They replaced the steering rack and the truck is back to normal steering again

 

[Msfitoy]

I'm back with the results from Ford garage. The reparation takes one month due to shipping delay of the components.
The steering rack has a problem in the controller and steering motor. They replaced the steering rack and the truck is back to normal steering again

I was hoping that you'd try replacing the DPFE sensor...it seems to be able to fix anything...

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