Traction control light and no power steering

Tiny
MARREDONDO
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 FORD ESCAPE
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Tonight, my husband went to start my car. The traction control light came on and the steering wheel was hard to turn.
What could this be? ABS sensor? The 80 amp steering fuse? Any help is appreciated! We just got it out of the shop 2 days ago to fix the A/C and brakes.
Friday, July 23rd, 2021 AT 8:48 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

The first thing I would suggest is to check the steering fuse. If the electric power steering fails, it will affect the abs. However, if there is a bad wheel speed sensor, it shouldn't affect the steering.

If you look at the two pics below, I included the wiring schematic for the electric power steering and highlighted the two fuses to check. You know the 80 amp already. Pic 2 shows the junction box in the vehicle. I highlighted fuse 35. Check that one as well.

In addition to checking the fuses, confirm there is power to and from them. Here is a link you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Saturday, July 24th, 2021 AT 7:10 PM
Tiny
MARREDONDO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
We checked both fuses. The 80 amp as well as the 10am (#35) in the vehicle. Both fuses tested and checked out to be okay.
Now we’re leaning to maybe something in the steering column?
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Sunday, July 25th, 2021 AT 9:42 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Is there power available to both fuses? As far as the issue, if there is power to the fuses and they are good, you really should consider having the can-bus system scanned. CAN stands for controller area network. Basically, all the modules and computers are tied together via this network. As a result, you will retrieve diagnostic trouble codes regardless of which module is storing them.

Here is a video showing it being done:

https://youtu.be/InIlnsjOVFA

If you can have that done, it will likely save a lot of time. I can't guarantee it, but chances are in your favor that it will point you in the right direction. Otherwise, it becomes a guessing game.

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe
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Sunday, July 25th, 2021 AT 7:11 PM

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