Power steering light on

CHRISTI830

MEMBER
2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU
4 CYL
AUTOMATIC
46,665 MILES

I had power steering on my dash board light up I did not know what was wrong. I am thinking I need power steering fluid.
I go to Advanced Auto Parts store and the man there tells me he cannot put the power steering fluid in my car for me.
He said there is no way to get to it as its located in the back behind the engine and to take it to the dealership. I did and I was told I need a power steering module. That if I do not get it right away my steering wheel can lock up anytime while I am driving. I just do not know what to believe as this dealership scared me into thinking my brakes were so bad but I found out nothing was wrong with them. So I do not know what to do.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,758 POSTS

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros. Com.
I have to be honest, I do not see how you will totally lose the ability to steer the vehicle. However, you could lose power assist, meaning it will be like driving a car with manual steering (no assist/hard to turn).

As far as fluid, if the pump is making noise when you try to turn, chances are it is low on fluid. This leads me to my next question. Does the vehicle have a traditional hydraulic power assist system? Most of these vehicles came with electric power assist steering meaning there is now power steering fluid reservoir. In that case, an electric motor provides the steering assistance. That would make more sense to me for the "Power Steering Control Module" (PSCM) to be bad and the parts store person saying he could not reach the reservoir because there would not be one. For that design, the car's computer needs to be scanned to determine if there are trouble codes related to the component. The PSCM and electric power steering motor are replaced as a unit and not separately.

Here is what I suggest. Go to a mechanic you can trust and ask if the vehicle has a traditional hydraulic power steering system, or if it has electric power steering. If it is electric, have the computer scanned to determine why the light is on. At that point, the mechanic should have a good idea what has failed and needs replaced. If you are worried, ask for the diagnostic trouble code that was retrieved and let me know what it is. With that code, I will be able to point you in the right direction.

_________________________________ Important:
I have one last comment on this issue. To the best of my knowledge, there is a recall from GM related to this problem. Take a look at this letter I found:

General Motors (GM), "This letter is intended to make you aware that on some 2011 model year Chevrolet Malibu vehicles equipped with electric power steering assist (EPS), the steering column torque sensor or the EPS motor/controller may cause the vehicle to suddenly lose EPS. If your vehicle loses EPS, your driver information center will display a warning message and you will hear a warning chime. The vehicle will revert to a manual steering mode, which requires greater driver effort to operate at low vehicle speeds."

If I understand correctly, the repairs are to be done at GM's cost for vehicles up to ten years and 150,000 miles. You are well within the mileage and time limits. Contact a dealer and see what they say.
_______________________________
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have other questions or need help.

Take care,
Joe