idiot lights, steering lock up.

[swynx]

couldnt find the non rbv tech section, maybe im too tired. any who. in my v6 malibu, 2 different times now, i have accelerated hard onto the highway from a stop and the steering wheel has locked up and all the idiot lights came on, untill i let off the gas, then it was good again. car continues to accelerate hard even with the idiot lights.

im assuming the belt is slipping, ive had the car since 73k its now got 143k and i havent replaced it. the belt looks good, and feels tight. any other suggestions?

 

[RonD]

You didn't mention the year of the malibu

Steering wheel is not locking up, most likely you are losing power assist so yes fan belt is slipping.
Not sure what idiot lights they have on the dash, but only Battery light should come on with slipping fan belt
But depending on the year it could have a digital dash that doesn't like drop in voltage

EDIT:

Electric assist power steering, WTF???

Your symptoms seem to be not uncommon with the chevy malibu, actually looks pretty bad, lol.

Lawsuit here: https://www.law360.com/articles/748437/gm-sued-over-alleged-steering-flaw-in-chevy-cruze-malibu

Recall here: https://www.consumeraffairs.com/new...cles-with-power-steering-problems-040114.html

 

[sheltonfilms]

You didn't mention the year of the malibu

Steering wheel is not locking up, most likely you are losing power assist so yes fan belt is slipping.
Not sure what idiot lights they have on the dash, but only Battery light should come on with slipping fan belt
But depending on the year it could have a digital dash that doesn't like drop in voltage

EDIT:

Electric assist power steering, WTF???

Your symptoms seem to be not uncommon with the chevy malibu, actually looks pretty bad, lol.

Lawsuit here: https://www.law360.com/articles/748437/gm-sued-over-alleged-steering-flaw-in-chevy-cruze-malibu

Recall here: https://www.consumeraffairs.com/new...cles-with-power-steering-problems-040114.html

Everybody has switched to electronic power steering. We had it at Kia and Mercedes. My 2013 Explorer has it.

They use brushless motors for longevity.

Mercedes is on the rack. Kia went from the steering column to later to the rack.



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[adsm08]

Actually an easy fix.

Get rid of the Chevy.

 

[RonD]

"Fly by wire" I get, larger aircraft are just too big to run hydraulic lines or control cables.

"Drive by wire" I don't agree with, outside of a big RV or bus I don't like it much and see no reason for it

All electric vehicle...........well may be

 

[sheltonfilms]

"Fly by wire" I get, larger aircraft are just too big to run hydraulic lines or control cables.

"Drive by wire" I don't agree with, outside of a big RV or bus I don't like it much and see no reason for it

All electric vehicle...........well may be

Drive by wire is electronic throttle control.

Steer by wire (which is what I think you are thinking of) is only on a very few amount of cars (infinity/Nissan has I think 1 model) and they still have a mechanical back up (clutch engages with power failure).

Electric assisted power steering (what I was talking about earlier) means instead of hydraulic pump it uses electric pump. Full manual/mechanical connections are still there. They add an angle sensor to steering column to detect driver input and the motor assists in turning the wheel that way.

So those fail just like the ones on your truck, just harder to steer.

 

[RonD]

"Drive by wire" can include any function that was previously controlled by cable, shaft or linkage directly from driver input.

Yes, electric motor on throttle plate was one of the first drive by wire functions
No key/push button start, Electric steering or electric brakes would also be included.

I like having a key and mechanical sliding switch that can cut the power to the system.
I trust computers, I don't trust software writers

I give you Apple and Microsoft as examples, software bug in laptop or PC is a pain, and these are the best paid and smartest programmers on the planet, and they ALL say OOPS at one point

in a vehicle...............well I don't want to experience it, lol.

 

[adsm08]

Ron, do you actually understand how electric power steering works? There is still a physical connection between the steering wheel in the driver's hand and the steering wheels on the road.

The way this particular system is set up is pretty simple actually. It has a manual steering rack, connected to the wheel by a shaft, just like any non-power steering car. Then there is an electric motor attached to the shaft by a worm gear that provides the assist, instead of hydraulic pressure on a valve in the gear.

 

[RonD]

Yes, for now it is.
Thats how electric throttle operation started, TPS with a cable, now there is no connection between them computer reads position of gas pedal and turns electric motor to match that position for throttle plate

Electric steering..........steering wheel sensor.................."hey, WTF happened to the shaft"
I get the move to automated vehicles, but I don't want to be the poor "bastard"(pardon my French) that dies or gets injured for the advancement of science, I think they call those guys Test Pilots, and they know what they signed up for

But even current electric setup, with shaft, can lock the steering, that's what was happening with the chevys, you don't just lose the assist you actually have to fight against electric motor and gear ratios to turn the wheel.
With fluid assist you will lose the assist but if you are moving it is not all that hard to turn the steering wheel, and if you are not moving....well then, it isn't that dangerous

If "they" wanted to install an electric PUMP for the fluid assist power steering then great, it only needs to turn one way, its a pump, no real sensors are needed, except for less assist the higher the speed, which many like, but way way safer.
But doesn't help for automation of steering

 

[swynx]

its an 2006 malibu, last year i took the car in for an alignment and while chatting with the guy at the store he said i didnt have electric power steering on my car.

 

[RonD]

That is odd, I have seen posts for 2006 4cyl and V6 Malibu referencing EPS - Electronic Power Steering problems

Do you see a power steering reservoir?

Also your original description of the problem fit with EPS issue, idiot light on steering locked while accelerating

 

[sheltonfilms]

That is odd, I have seen posts for 2006 4cyl and V6 Malibu referencing EPS - Electronic Power Steering problems

Do you see a power steering reservoir?

Also your original description of the problem fit with EPS issue, idiot light on steering locked while accelerating

Either mid year change or trim level upgrade.

Repair manual for 06 shows both available (hydraulic and electric).


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