Otis Singleton
Electric power steering systems use an electric motor and gearing system to assist the driver with steering. The amount of current drawn by these systems varies depending on factors such as the speed of the vehicle, the rate at which the wheel is turned, and the type of pump used. For example, a second-generation MR2 electric pump draws 30-40 amps under normal turning conditions and 15-20 amps at a steady state, while a Wicked Bilt Unisteer kit may draw up to 14 amps. Understanding the current draw of these systems is important for diagnosing and maintaining electric power steering.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amps drawn by an MR-2 electric pump under load | 50 to 70 |
| Amps drawn by a 2nd generation MR2 electric pump under normal turning conditions | 30 to 40 |
| Amps drawn by a 2nd generation MR2 electric pump at a steady state | 15 to 20 |
| Amps drawn by a 2nd generation MR2 electric pump at full lock | 80 to 100 |
| Amps drawn by Wicked Bilt Unisteer kit | 14 |
| Amps drawn by Wicked Bilt Unisteer kit (bigger unit) | 220 |
| Diagnosis of electric power steering systems requires understanding of | Voltage, current, and loads |
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What You'll Learn
Electric power steering pump amps vary
Some electric power steering systems use a rotational sensor to determine the position of the motor and adjust the steering angle accordingly. The current drawn by the motor can be monitored through a circuit in the electric power steering module, which also takes into account factors like ambient temperature to determine the motor's temperature.
The amount of amps drawn by electric power steering pumps can range from 15-20 amps at a steady state to 30-40 amps under normal turning conditions, and even up to 50-70 amps or more under load or at full lock. The faster the wheel is turned, the greater the current draw.
For example, the Wicked Bilt Unisteer kit for Polaris RZR vehicles was reported to draw the highest amount of 14 amps, translating to 170 watts, with their bigger unit drawing 220 watts. Similarly, the second-generation MR2 electric pump draws 30-40 amps under normal turning conditions and 50-70 amps under load.
Engineers have also worked on improving the management of 12-volt power in vehicles, which was once predicted to be replaced by a 42-volt electrical architecture to accommodate power requirements for loads like electric power steering.
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Steering wheel speed affects current draw
The speed at which a steering wheel is turned affects the current draw of the electric power steering system. The faster the steering wheel is turned, the greater the current draw. For example, a second-generation MR2 electric pump draws 30-40 amps under normal turning conditions and 15-20 amps at a steady state. When turned more rapidly, the pump draws 50-70 amps under load and 80-100 amps at full lock.
The steering wheel speed is one of the primary driver inputs measured by sensors located in the steering column, along with torque (steering effort) and steering wheel position. This information is then processed through a series of algorithms to produce the proper amount of polarity and current to the motor.
The speed of the steering wheel can also affect the servo fluid pressure in the power steering system. At zero vehicle speed, a small input steering wheel torque of 2 Nm can result in a servo fluid pressure of 40 bar. As the vehicle speed increases, the rise in servo pressure assistance becomes less steep. For example, at 20 km/h and an input effort torque of 2 Nm, the actuating pressure only rises to about 14 bar.
A faulty wheel speed sensor can also affect the power steering system, causing issues such as hard shifting, loss of cruise control, and warning lights. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the wheel speed sensor is functioning correctly to maintain the performance of the electric power steering system.
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Power steering units draw different amps
The type of power steering unit can also affect the amp draw. For instance, the MR-2 electric pump draws 50 to 70 amps under load, while a second-generation MR2 electric pump draws 30-40 amps under normal turning conditions and 15-20 amps at a steady state. The speed at which the wheel is turned also affects the amp draw, with faster turns resulting in a greater current draw. Additionally, the power steering unit's cable size can impact voltage drop. A larger cable, such as a #8 braided wire, may result in a smaller voltage drop when the power steering is active.
The Wicked Bilt Unisteer kit, for example, has been reported to draw a maximum of 14 amps, which corresponds to 170 watts. A similar unit, the "corsa" unit, is a full electric system that can be controlled via a $50 controller on eBay. Another option is the EZ Steer kit, which is easier to install than the Unisteer kit as it does not require additional holes to be drilled for mounting. However, it is important to note that the EZ Steer kit reuses the OEM nut, which may differ from the metric nut used in some vehicles.
Furthermore, the power steering unit's motor can be connected to the steering rack or column, and some vehicles have motors mounted to the base of the steering gear or the opposite end of the rack. The power steering module contains drivers, signal generators, and MOSFET switches that power and control the electric motor. It also includes a current monitor circuit that measures the amps the motor is using, taking into account factors such as ambient temperature to determine the motor's temperature.
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Proportional power steering
Electric power steering systems use electric motors to assist the driver in turning the wheels of a motor vehicle. The actuator, or motor, and gearing system, can either add to or subtract from the driver's steering inputs, reducing the effort required to turn the steering wheel.
The amount of power drawn by electric power steering systems varies. For example, a second-generation MR2 electric pump draws 30-40 amps under normal turning conditions and 15-20 amps at a steady state. However, the more rapidly the wheel is turned, the greater the current draw, with pumps drawing 80-100 amps at full lock.
In comparison, an MR-2 electric pump draws 50-70 amps under load, which will significantly influence the electrical circuits and alternator requirements of the vehicle.
Some vehicles, such as the 1999 Chrysler LHS, have speed-proportional steering systems that use a switch and solenoid mounted to the side of the steering rack. However, some drivers have expressed dissatisfaction with the "squishy" or "noodle-like" feel of the steering in vehicles with this feature, such as the Volkswagen Golf R. While it is possible to disable the speed-proportional power steering in some vehicles, it is important to note that doing so may require accessing VCDS coding threads and making adjustments to the values of torque sensors.
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Electric power steering diagnostics
Electric power steering (EPS) systems use an electric motor to assist the driver in steering the vehicle. These systems have become increasingly common in modern vehicles, replacing traditional hydraulic power steering systems. EPS systems use a variety of sensors to detect the driver's input (torque, speed, position) and send this information to the electric control unit (ECU), which calculates and applies the necessary assistive torque through the electric motor.
Diagnosing issues with EPS systems requires a different approach compared to hydraulic systems. Technicians need to understand voltage, current, and loads, as well as how the modules and sensors work together. The current draw of the electric motor can vary depending on driving conditions, with more rapid turns of the steering wheel requiring greater current. For example, a second-generation MR2 electric pump draws 30-40 amps under normal turning conditions and 15-20 amps at a steady state, but this can increase to 80-100 amps at full lock. Managing these loads on the electrical system can be challenging, especially during peak levels of assist where the current draw can exceed 60 amps.
To facilitate diagnostics, most EPS systems are capable of self-diagnosis using diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). When a malfunction occurs, the EPS warning light illuminates on the dashboard, indicating that a scan of the DTCs is required to identify the issue. Technicians use specialised scan tools to retrieve and interpret these codes, which provide insights into the root cause of the problem. However, it is important to note that DTCs may only be the beginning of the diagnostic process, often requiring further expertise to fully resolve the issue.
Technicians should also be aware of the steering angle sensor (SAS), which plays a crucial role in EPS diagnostics. The SAS is part of a sensor cluster in the steering column and measures the steering wheel position angle and rate of turn. This information is critical for the EPS system to function accurately. If the SAS malfunctions, it can result in problems with alignment, such as uneven assistive torque in different steering directions. In such cases, re-calibration of the SAS is necessary to ensure it provides accurate position data to the ECU.
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Frequently asked questions
The number of amps drawn by electric steering depends on the type of vehicle and the conditions under which it is being driven. For example, the power steering system using a 2nd generation MR2 electric pump draws 30-40 amps under normal turning conditions and 15-20 amps at a steady state. The MR-2 electric pump draws 50 to 70 amps under load.
The speed of the vehicle and the rate at which the steering wheel is being turned influence the number of amps drawn by electric steering. The more rapidly the wheel is turned, the greater the current draw.
Electric power steering modules contain a current monitor circuit that measures the amps the motor is using. The current monitor, along with other inputs, also helps determine the temperature of the motor using an algorithm that factors in ambient temperatures.
