[winther1]

I've been getting this message a couple of times during the last week. It only happens immediately after turning the wheel when starting the car and doesn't come back during the drive. Wondering if it's related to the freezing cold weather. Anything to be concerned about?

[drdino]

How's your battery doing?

[HighlandPete]

Aren't you having low battery warnings?

Are you trying to steer straight away, before the alternator has a chance to stabilise a higher voltage?

[winther1]

ah yes, might be the battery. Yes, I steer straight away as I turn on the ignition. Will start to unplug the dashcam when not needed to keep the battery topped up

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by winther1

I steer straight away as I turn on the ignition.

Not much help but..

Why?

[Paddy1975]

Originally Posted by Hooded

Not much help but..

Why?

Looking at the picture avoiding all the cyclists would be my guess

[winther1]

Originally Posted by Hooded

Not much help but..

Why?

Exiting my spot in the garage requires some navigating

[jackstrath]

Surly your better waiting untill the engine is on before turning the wheel...

[BBri89]

Don't touch the steering wheel until the engine is running and at a stable rpm, then you'll likely not get this message.

If you're trying to turn the steering wheel whilst starting the engine it'll get upset.

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by winther1

Exiting my spot in the garage requires some navigating

But you aren’t supposed to turn the wheel until the engine has started up and the electronic power steering is on

Normally you would press the start button to turn the ignition on and prime the fuel pump, then a second or two later press down on the appropriate pedal depending on manual or automatic, and press the start button again to start the engine. Then you would turn the steering wheel and most likely not get any unwanted warning pop up

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by winther1

ah yes, might be the battery. Yes, I steer straight away as I turn on the ignition. Will start to unplug the dashcam when not needed to keep the battery topped up

I think you have identified the likely cause of a warning.

Probably caught out the normal EPS 'Control Cycle' before the Intelligent Alternator Control could up the voltage and output. Could have been a voltage dip from the start, with a battery in low SoC, with a further instant voltage dip due to EPS demand. Triggering a warning. (May have caused a temporary drop to less than 9 Volts).

Steering while stationary (worst condition) puts a high demand on the battery/alternator. Can be up to something like 1,000 watts. Simply delaying the steering for a few seconds from a start, would be a wise move.

[xenon]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Can be up to something like 1,000 watts.

That high? The wiring to the power steering rack / motor does not look like it's rated to 80A.

[winther1]

I sometimes turn on the ignition and a second after turn the steering wheel (when I'm in a hurry). I will wait a bit longer. Never heard about this issue, thanks all for clarifying!

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by xenon

That high? The wiring to the power steering rack / motor does not look like it's rated to 80A.

BMW generic EPS data clearly states a maximum of 1,000 Watts, with fuse protection to something like 85 Amps. Yes, it will be transient, with much lower consumption, (can be down to 20 - 40 Watts), in normal use.

Where the issues could be on start up. A quick tug, with high torque on the steering wheel may be causing a spike with high draw, while voltage is in a critical low state.