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      02-08-2019, 07:45 AM   #1
dcastx
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4 series issue - drive moderately, increased steering effort required?? is this norma

so I parked on somewhat deep, hard snow today, and when starting back up I felt the steering wheel jerk and then I got a message saying to "drive moderately, increased steering effort required" Luckily I was right by my house and managed to get into the garage, and it was really tough to steer. It didn't feel like power steering was cut off, it felt really odd like I really had to struggle to turn the wheel even ever so slightly. I was worried i definitely broke something as it's been really cold recently (-40's).

Anyway, after starting up again in the garage the issue was gone... is it likely that I broke something, or something got loose, or is there some calibration process that occurs when you startup that failed because a wheel was stuck in snow?


Just worried if i get this error when i'm on actual streets or while i'm driving, but I've now driven to work and a bit since the issue originally came and it didn't come up again.

any ideas what may have happened?

Thanks
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      02-08-2019, 08:14 AM   #2
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I had that happen once, like three years ago. It felt like the steering motor wasn't working and I was driving a 1950's pickup truck with manual steering. I turned the engine off, started it again, everything was normal, hasn't happened again. I wouldn't be concerned if it doesn't happen again. If it does while you're on the road it won't be as much of a problem as it was in the driveway, steering effort goes down as speed goes up.
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      02-08-2019, 08:42 AM   #3
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Seems like the electric power steering had shut off. You can still steer but with more effort just like conventional hydraulic power steering when you are low on fluid. Maybe have it checked out as it shouldn't happen even intermittently.
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      02-08-2019, 09:04 AM   #4
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see threads below.....may be worth a full inspection given the known issue with F30 failing steering racks.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1469927

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1566685
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      02-09-2019, 04:38 PM   #5
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Code scanner, such as Foxwell NT510, is very helpful in these situations.

Is your still under warranty?
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      02-09-2019, 05:50 PM   #6
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Haven't experienced that yet in my 4 series but something is up with that steering. On some nights when it's even -10 when I go to leave for work the first 3 / 4 steering motions are scary.

My steering starts to click through those 3 motions and than it's fine 🤯🤷*♂️

Leaving my driveway in reverse cranking wheel to the right... click click click, put in drive and crank left... click click click click.... first corner few more clicks... than few turns later it's all good. It sounds like electric motor is skipping some notches or gears... and it's only does it when leaving for work at 7 am... can't replicate it yet through the day but we didn't have any snow yet this year
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      02-09-2019, 05:56 PM   #7
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Keep us updated if it happens again, and under what scenario. Would love to know wtf is happening! Cheers
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      02-12-2020, 12:50 PM   #8
cfm56d7b
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Well - this very alert happened yesterday on my 2017 440i GC. It flashed and then disappeared. The car behaved normally. Will continue to monitor for any unusual symptoms.

Strange considering an intermittent nature of the alert.
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      02-12-2020, 03:00 PM   #9
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Sharing an update. Scanned for faults. Fault was found:

4823FC Intermittent DTC - EPS voltage supply: Undervoltage control unit, reduction of steering assistance

I will take it to the dealer soon.

Did anyone have the same issue?
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      02-14-2020, 10:07 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cfm56d7b View Post
Sharing an update. Scanned for faults. Fault was found:

4823FC Intermittent DTC - EPS voltage supply: Undervoltage control unit, reduction of steering assistance

I will take it to the dealer soon.

Did anyone have the same issue?
At the dealer now. WIll post an update when more information becomes available.
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      02-14-2020, 10:28 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cfm56d7b View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by cfm56d7b View Post
Sharing an update. Scanned for faults. Fault was found:

4823FC Intermittent DTC - EPS voltage supply: Undervoltage control unit, reduction of steering assistance

I will take it to the dealer soon.

Did anyone have the same issue?
At the dealer now. WIll post an update when more information becomes available.
Probably your battery is on its last legs. When cold it is struggling more and doesn't have enough juice. Probably it happens after some time not driving it and sitting out in the cold.
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      02-14-2020, 10:40 AM   #12
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Sitting out in the cold in Orange County? The only way his car sits out in the cold is if he drives up to Mammoth for the weekend.
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      02-14-2020, 10:50 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fantanas View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by cfm56d7b View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by cfm56d7b View Post
Sharing an update. Scanned for faults. Fault was found:

4823FC Intermittent DTC - EPS voltage supply: Undervoltage control unit, reduction of steering assistance

I will take it to the dealer soon.

Did anyone have the same issue?
At the dealer now. WIll post an update when more information becomes available.
Probably your battery is on its last legs. When cold it is struggling more and doesn't have enough juice. Probably it happens after some time not driving it and sitting out in the cold.
I am sure the dealer will check if the battery is operating as expected. It's one of my to-verify discussions items with SA.
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      02-14-2020, 10:52 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
Sitting out in the cold in Orange County? The only way his car sits out in the cold is if he drives up to Mammoth for the weekend.
Fortunately, my car doesn't experience temperatures lower than 50 degrees. No trips to the mountains with summer tires.
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      02-17-2020, 12:37 PM   #15
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UPDATE.

The dealer did not find any problems with power steering but I spoke to shop foreman and he agreed to open a case with BMW NA and keep the car for a few more days. The battery may need replacement (dealer will need approval from BMW NA). Or - the entire power steering rack may have to replaced. To be continued.
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      02-17-2020, 01:26 PM   #16
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My buddy who owns an auto shop said that bmw advises to replace the battery every three years. Mine, at 80k miles is gone. I'm getting 12V after a nice highway drive on it and the alt is putting out 14.5 as it should.

Sucky batteries. Hope that's all you need!
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      02-17-2020, 03:06 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmaxdmax View Post
My buddy who owns an auto shop said that bmw advises to replace the battery every three years. Mine, at 80k miles is gone. I'm getting 12V after a nice highway drive on it and the alt is putting out 14.5 as it should.

Sucky batteries. Hope that's all you need!
You might be right. My battery is 3.5 years old.
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      02-17-2020, 03:22 PM   #18
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My battery is five years old and is nearly as fresh as new. Putting it on a maintainer every night when the temperature gets to 25F or lower is the reason why. The only way I see the OPs battery being toast at only 3.5 years is if his driving is almost all short trips. That causes maximum stress with minimal charging per start up.
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      02-21-2020, 04:41 PM   #19
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The dealer replaced the battery. All is well.
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