[cezar22]

Drove perfectly normal the last time I drove it yesterday. Jumped in the car to move it earlier and it has zero power steering and the following errors on the dash:

"Chassis Stabilization: Drive moderately"
"Increased steer effort: Drive moderately"

This is not limp home mode, this is like limp to the shoulder mode. Power steering is OFF.

To debug I tried restarting the car a couple times, checked OBD2 faults (none), and then jumped into the BMW-specific stuff on my scan tool. Things that look relevant:

"CD94E9 Signal (actual front axle steering angle, 57.1.2) invalid, transmitter DSC"
"CD951C No message (actual steering torgue, driver, actuator/actual rack force, 49.0.2), receiver DDE. transmitter EPS"

There were a few others but I suspect they're old / not relevant, but I can transcribe them if anyone wants.

Checked battery voltage. 12.4V. This seems a tad low since this is a 3 month old OEM battery.

Checked the wiring I could see (not much) going into the rack. Don't see any signs of issues, but I couldn't see much either.


Can I get some cliffs notes on what I should start checking?

PLS HALP. This is my only car with working AC lol.

[cezar22]

Here is the problem, this is the control wiring harness for the rack. Looks like a mouse chewed through it:



I need to remove this harness either to repair or replace it because there is no access as it sits. Anyone know the routing for this?

[cezar22]

Here's the relevant electrical diagram from the Bentley. I've never actually looked at these and they are almost completely inscrutable to me. The "how to read" section doesn't even cover all the markings shown here lol.

That said, it looks like my harness in question runs to a "Front Electronic Module". Anyone know where that is?

[zeikei]

Originally Posted by cezar22

That said, it looks like my harness in question runs to a "Front Electronic Module". Anyone know where that is?

It is under the side panel on the right side of the right front footwell.

[cezar22]

Originally Posted by zeikei

It is under the side panel on the right side of the right front footwell.

There is no way this description is going to get me anywhere closer to tracing it.

Anyway, having given up on tracing where it goes I was able to pull out enough wire to get enough slack to perform a repair:



As a quick test I twisted the wire back and hooked it back up and started up the car. Power steering is back. So that is good at least.

Unfortunately I am going to need to replace the plug as it broke upon removal, as is befitting a 7 year old 50,000$ car.
Does anyone know where I can locate a part number for this plug?

[zeikei]

Originally Posted by cezar22

There is no way this description is going to get me anywhere closer to tracing it.

Well, if you ever need to get to FEM again this video is probably helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhHiEUGf4kU

[cezar22]

Originally Posted by zeikei

Well, if you ever need to get to FEM again this video is probably helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhHiEUGf4kU

Oh that is very helpful. I didn't realize the wiring ran inside the car.

I may need to go that route anyway, because it doesn't appear the harness connector can be purchased separately, only the entire wiring harness.

[cezar22]

Here is the connector: https://www.wiringspecialties.com/bo...nector-female/

[Zheez]

It looks like the same connector I bought when I made my own harness to retrofit front PDC to my car. BMW part number for that is 61138383300 and I bought mine from Ebay for £6:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252336702544

But since that's UK that's no use to you. Just thought I'd give you the part number so you can see what you can find. There don't seem to be any on Ebay in the US but it might be worth contacting a dealer with that part number if you've not ordered one already.

[cezar22]

It's arriving tomorrow. Will update once I put the car back together.

Taking the opportunity to do a few more items:
- Fuel filter
- Intake filter
- Serpentine belt
- Fix a mild leak in my fuel filler neck I think is occurring at the rubber section
- Fix a cracked to shit CCV hose
- Gumme Pfledge seals
- Full interior detail and leather conditioning

A little anxious about getting the car back together. I've taken a LOT of crap off. Not the most I've done with this car but equal to the bigger work I've done. Fingers crossed on putting it back together.

[Billfitz]

If you're garaged mouse traps are a must. I've got one of these, which nabs a mouse every two weeks on average: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MKXM9DX...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

[cezar22]

Car is back together. Nothing more to report yet.

[cezar22]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

If you're garaged mouse traps are a must. I've got one of these, which nabs a mouse every two weeks on average: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MKXM9DX...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Unfortunately I don't really have space in my garage for the car so it sits outside. I'm in the middle of the forest so unfortunately this is my cross to bear. Not the first wiring issue I think I've had from mice.

Did about 60 miles today on the car, and it's 100%.

[Billfitz]

I never had space in my garage for my car, being full of this that and the other thing, until I got the Bimmer. I then made space. Half the junk in the garage I found other places for, the rest now resides in a landfill somewhere.

[cezar22]

My garage is actually spotless believe it or not, but I have two full size work benches, a full size mechanics tool cabinet, two tractors, a SxS, and a zero-turn mower. Not a lot of space left with all that sadly.

[Slivsk]

EPS on my F31 died too. After a long searhing and no help from diagnostisc found an error on negative wire from EPS motor. Cleaning and some coper greese did the yob and EPS works again.