Battery going flat?

[sparky Paul]

Do you have a record of the EPS fault codes?

I'm no expert on the EPS, but I'm pretty sure you would have to at least have to calibrate the torque sensor zero position, as this data is stored in the EPS module and will be unique to each column.

Dealer would use Honda HDS to do this, but there are aftermarket systems that have full access to Honda EPS.

[John Ratsey]

Would a poor connection somewhere cause this problem? The EPS takes a lot of power so even a small amount of electrical resistance in a deteriorating connection would cause a significant voltage drop.

[sparky Paul]

Would a poor connection somewhere cause this problem? The EPS takes a lot of power so even a small amount of electrical resistance in a deteriorating connection would cause a significant voltage drop.

Certainly, good thinking.

For starters, it would be worth checking all the battery and alternator connections, and particularly the engine/gearbox earth straps - which can cause all sorts of strange symptoms.

I wondered if we might deduce something like that from the fault codes, if they are known.

[Jazzman79]

Many thanks everyone for those replies.

Will speak with garage next week and ask for exact fault codes. Although the technician working on my car is very experienced so would like to think they know where to for any codes that flag up. So far nothing obvious has been found.

Read somewhere someone spent a fortune relatively speaking trying to cure this problem and just changed battery after having whole column and control box replaced. Dont understand why a working battery that still powers the car and all electrics would fail EPS ?

Be so glad to get this thing fixed.

Thanks again

[sparky Paul]

Dont understand why a working battery that still powers the car and all electrics would fail EPS ?

It's because the EPS puts large spikes of current demand on the battery and alternator system, and this will show up any failing components, bad earths, etc..

Fault codes rarely point you directly to the cause of any problems, but any fault codes relating to system voltage or motor current, and I would be suspicious that it's a power supply issue, or possibly EPS motor brushes.

[Jazzman79]

Many thanks Sparky Paul.

Will report back hopefully within 2 weeks from now as to what this EPS fault is. They also replaced the EPS control unit.
Do you know if these are just plug and play so to speak ? Be real good if this turns out to only be the battery.

Is there something significant about Honda Jazz batteries' as just wondering why they cant jump from another cars battery to see if it switches off EPS warning light which is more on... than off ?

[sparky Paul]

Do you know if these are just plug and play so to speak ? Be real good if this turns out to only be the battery.

As above, I think that the torque sensor centre position has to be calibrated, it's unique to each column.

Is there something significant about Honda Jazz batteries' as just wondering why they cant jump from another cars battery to see if it switches off EPS warning light which is more on... than off ?

It's the whole battery/alternator/charging system. The battery is particularly small on the Jazz, but most of the power is coming from the alternator when the engine is running - hence the EPS doesn't function without the engine running. The battery maintains the system voltage and smoothes out the peaks demanded by the EPS when you turn the wheel.

The problem is that there are lots of reasons why the EPS ECU would decide to shut the EPS down, including system voltage drops.

[Jazzman79]

Cheers Sparky Paul and you explained that incredibly well as by knowledge is quite poor. Your info gives me further things to look at.

Many thanks,

Jazzy

[Jazzman79]

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