Have you noticed the EPS light Hyundai on the dash and you wonder what is going on? Well, if that is the case, then you are at the right place because, in this article, there will be quite a lot to cover on this topic and we are going to elaborate on everything in great detail.
- What Is EPS Light?
- Is It Serious?
- How EPS Works
- EPS Light Causes
- Diagnosing
- Reset
- Cost
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Doing your own research on a problem is always a good idea because you want to do research before you take your car to a shop. We, people, are very curious and want to try to understand what is causing a problem and if you are one of these people like me, then you are at the right place on the internet.
Since we are going to elaborate all you need on this problem and whenever you take your car to a shop, you may never end up scammed and made to replace an expensive component without any particular reason. And also, this type of warning light could only be a false positive and a simple reset will do the trick.
First, we are going to learn what is the EPS light Hyundai, then we will learn if this is a serious problem or not. Once we clear that of our way, we will learn how the electronic power steering works and what are the possible causes for the EPS light.
Once we cover that, we will learn how to diagnose and fix this problem as well as how to remove the steering wheel dash light. So, if you want to learn more on this topic, feel free eto follow along.
EPS Light Hyundai
Now before we dive into more complex topics and learn what are the causes for the EPS light Hyundai, let’s first introduce ourselves to the topic and learn more about EPS meaning car, and what the EPS system is. Let’s elaborate.
A lot of people would be confused by this light and will think that this is a problem with the traction control (such as a traction control warning light, or the TRAC OFF light in a Lexus) or a similar system. But this is not true. This is a different problem on your Hyundai.
More specifically, the EPS light Hyundai refers to a problem with the electronic power steering. So, what is electronic power steering?
In the US, hydraulic systems are predominantly used since the past century. But there are some carmakers from Asia and Europe that use a different approach and install electronic power steering systems that work without a power steering pump or fluid. Which makes the steering a lot simpler and less prone to break down.
More in-depth, we are going to elaborate on this system in the following chapters. The important thing to know right now when you get the EPS light is that you have a problem with the electronic power steering system on your car.
The system is faulty and does not function as it should because of an internal problem that prevents it from doing so. The cause can be something simple and also it can be something really expensive.
But is this problem with the EPS light serious? Well, let’s further elaborate more on this in the following chapter in detail and learn about the seriousness of this issue in your Hyundai.
Is The EPS Light A Serious Problem
Now let’s cover another topic before we learn more about the causes of the EPS light Hyundai. And this is the topic is this a serious issue or not? A lot of people are confused and they need to learn if this is a serious problem or not. So, let’s elaborate more in-depth.
What is worth noting is that any light that is not normal to flash or turn on permanently is a possible problem. And you should be alerted about this since this is the purpose of these lights to tell you that you have a problem with your car and this problem needs addressing.
What is worth noting about this specific problem is that in most cases, should not affect your driving ability. Even though a Hyundai owner claimed that he couldn’t turn on the car once he got this light on the dash. The vehicle couldn’t start and the driver was basically stuck.
This happens rarely, or it is an isolated case. But if this system completely breaks down, it could disable the ignition, as well as the fuel system according to one professional Hyundai mechanic.
But what is worth noting is that this system when becomes faulty, could fail completely and you could lose your power steering. So, turning the wheel can be a real pain to do. Especially while the car is stationary and you will not be able to turn the wheel.
Sometimes, as people say, this electric power steering system can fail and behave really badly and illogical. For example, it could make a sharp turn without any intervention by the driver. And this could take you into an accident. But how this system works in reality? Let’s learn more about that next.
Electric Power Steering System
Now let’s learn how the electronic power steering system works before we start learning more about the EPS light Hyundai. Why do we think that this is essential? Well, we just have to understand more about the work of this system.
As we noted previously, this system does not implement any hydraulic functions. Even though there are some hybrid hydroelectric power steering systems out there. What is worth noting is that this system on the Hyundai is purely electric. So, what does this system has?
Well, the electronic power steering system is composed of the control module, which communicates with the ECU, the torque sensor, the vehicle speed sensor (you can find out more in our guide on the P0500 Toyota code), the steering column, the DC motor, and the steering rack.
Although there are many components inside, actually, it is rather simple to understand. It’s become one of the recent trends in drive by wire tech.
Immediately after you start the engine, there will be some electric noise coming from the steering rack. This is basically the DC electric motor kicking in. This means that the system is active and you can turn your wheel. If the electric motor does not kick in, it means that the system is dead.
Nevertheless, the system works with the help of two sensors, the vehicle speed sensor found on the transmission (be on the lookout for speed sensor symptoms such as the P0500 error code), as well as the torque sensor found on the steering rack.
The vehicle speed sensor also known as the VSS plays a huge role in the work of this system. And if your odometer does not work, your power steering will also malfunction. Simple as that.
The second really important sensor is the torque sensor. This sensor receives the input you give on the steering wheel and records the torque force. But what about the EPS light Hyundai? More on that next.
EPS Light Hyundai Causes
Now that we covered the EPS light Hyundai and learned more about how this electric power steering system works. We think that now it is time to learn more about the causes for this light to turn on the dash.
There are a few possibilities behind every EPS light. It is worth covering them thoroughly and trying to understand more about what could be the cause for the problem before we move on to the diagnostics process, as well as how to reset this EPS light from the cluster.
So, if you want to learn more, follow along because there will be a lot to cover.
EPS Light Hyundai, Causes #1: Glitch With The Software
Now let’s discuss the main causes for the EPS light Hyundai. We shall start with the simplest causes and move on to more complex causes.
The first on our list is a simple glitch in the software. Modern cars are packed with technology and software glitches are very common and can happen more than you can assume.
And the EPS light is one of them. If there is some short in the system, it could trigger the computer to show the EPS light and cause you these problems.
What you can do in these cases is reset the computer. And you can do this by removing the positive cable from the battery terminal and then plugging it back in. If you need more references, head over to our guide on positive or negative first when connecting a battery, in addition to jumping cables positive and/or negative.
If it’s a bug, this should hopefully sort out the problem with the EPS light Hyundai. Now let’s move on to the next probable cause.
EPS Light Hyundai, Causes #2: Blown Fuse
The second very common cause for the EPS light Hyundai is the blown fuse. Believe it or not, a blown fuse can cause problems like these and create a problem for you.
Each electric system on our cars, including the electric power steering has fuses that are there to pop whenever there is a problem.
So, if one of these fuses failed, you can expect the EPS light to show and your power steering to malfunction.
In this case, you have to locate the fusebox and learn which of the fuses are for the EPS system. Then check them accordingly and see if a fuse has blown and failed. If there is a blown fuse, just replace the fuse with the correct replacement.
This will hopefully solve the problem with the EPS light Hyundai. Now let’s move on to the next probable cause for this problem.
EPS Light Hyundai, Causes #3: Bad Battery Or Corroded Terminals
Next on our list of causes for the EPS light Hyundai is the problem with the battery. More specifically the lead-acid battery that is used to start the engine.
This battery can drop in voltage if one or more cells die. And when this happens, you will basically end up with a problematic car.
The car will struggle to start or not start at all. As for the latter, do refer to our guide on why your car won’t start with a new battery, in addition to your car won’t start but the battery is good, for more insight. And also some strange bugs in the system like the EPS light can appear.
It is important to check the battery terminal for corrosion and make sure that there is no corrosion buildup on them and that they are perfectly clean. Also, inspect the voltage with a multimeter when the engine is turned off and when it is turned on.
When the engine is turned on, it should have a reading above 13 volts. If the engine is turned off, you should get a reading above 12 volts. 12.6V usually indicates a really healthy battery. Should you desire more context, do take a peek at our guide on how many amps is a 12-volt battery, and learning how to test a car battery.
So, make sure that you make these checks before you move to one of the following causes for the EPS light Hyundai. If the battery is bad, just replace it, it is no more than $100 for most cars (check out our guide on how much is a car battery at AutoZone) out there and you also get a year or two warranty on it.
Now let’s move on to the next probability for this problem.
EPS Light Hyundai, Causes #4: Torque Sensor
Next on our list of possible causes for the EPS light Hyundai is the torque sensor. So, what is a torque sensor?
Well, as we noted previously when we elaborated on how this EPS system works, we mentioned that there is a torque sensor on these electric power steering cars.
And this sensor is basically reading the input that you give while you turn the wheel. Then the sensor sends this information to the computer that controls the electric power steering and tells the computer to activate the electric motor and in which direction.
The sensor is basically mounted on the steering column. When removed, this sensor is basically a ring-like device that has wiring that goes to the computer. And then the computer sends this data to the electric motor on how to adjust the steering.
Anyway, this sensor like any other electronic device can fail and can cause you problems like the EPS light Hyundai and cause you a big problem. That’s why you need to check it out if the problem is not in one of the causes that we previously listed. Now let’s move on to the next causes for EPS light Hyundai.
EPS Light Hyundai, Causes #5: Bad Vehicle Speed Sensor
Next on our list for the causes of the EPS light Hyundai is the bad vehicle speed sensor. This sensor is simply known as VSS. And is really important for this system.
Nevertheless, the sensor is mounted on the transmission and is basically measuring the vehicle’s speed. So, if your vehicle’s speed sensor is not working well, there will be some problems like the EPS light Hyundai.
When it comes to the locations of these input and output speed sensors, they are usually located on the side of the transmission. But in some cases, they can be inside the transmission and in order to replace them, the whole thing has to come apart. Which can be a real pain.
For more on the procedure, you can check the video that we attached above. Overall, it is not a very beginner-friendly job and can cost you a good penny to replace these components on your Hyundai if they are the ones causing you the EPS light Hyundai. Now let’s move on to the next causes.
EPS Light Hyundai, Causes #6: Bad Electric Motor
Next on our list of causes for the EPS light Hyundai is the electric motor that drives this electronic power steering system.
The electric motor is basically rotating the shaft and if this component fails, it will start to cause a lot of problems.
The motor is basically the component that does all the heavy-duty action of moving the steering rack right or left.
Luckily, this component does not fail that often since there is not a lot going on inside. It’s a simple DC motor designed for this purpose. Now let’s move on to the next, more obvious cause for the EPS light Hyundai.
EPS Light Hyundai, Causes #7: Bad ECU
The last in our list of causes for EPS light Hyundai is a bad car ECU. This component is also known as the computer, or control module for the electric power steering. This is a different unit specifically for the power steering and not your regular ECU for the engine.
And this control module or computer can short inside and basically fail. And when the electronic fails inside of this component, you are left without power steering or you are left with a power steering that is buggy and causes major headaches for you as a driver, including the EPS light Hyundai.
This is why you need to properly diagnose the problem and see what you can do concerning this problem and how to uncover it the fastest.
How To Diagnose & Fix An EPS Light Hyundai
Now let’s learn more about how you can diagnose the problem with the EPS light Hyundai. What you can do about this problem?
Well, the first thing you want to do is to see if this problem is caused by a simple bug. Just reset the computer by removing the positive terminal from the battery and see if this helps.
If this doesn’t help, try the battery and see if there is any rust development on the terminals. Clean them off if there is rust. Another thing you want to check is the battery voltage. A healthy battery should make at least 12v of power when the engine is off and about 13.5v when the engine is running.
Also, check the fuses if any of them has popped. You can learn more about the latter by checking out our guide on the alternator fuse, as well as the transmission solenoid fuse.
If everything seems well with these components, you should check the torque sensor, as well as the vehicle speed sensors. For this purpose, you will need to get an OBD2 scanner to scan the car for codes specific to these sensors and systems.
If there are some faults, you will have to inspect them with a multimeter. And the last resort if everything works, you either have a problem with the electric motor or with the ESP control module, also known as ESP ECU. The ECU is not expensive to replace, usually about $150 and you can find one on eBay.
How To Reset The EPS Light
Now let’s see how you can reset ESP light Hyundai, what you can do for this purpose? Well, there are two options.
One of the options is a simple trick. Just open up the hood of your car and find the battery. Remove the positive terminal and leave it like that for 30 seconds. Then connect it back in. This procedure serves as a computer restart.
The second one is more complex and for this, you will need to get an OBD2 scanner and scan the car for codes and delete them.
Cost To Fix EPS Light Hyundai
We learned how to diagnose an EPS light Hyundai but what about the cost to get this problem fixed? How much money can you expect to pay for this job?
Well, if the problem is caused by the battery or fuses, you can expect to pay less than $100. If the ECU for the ESP is bad, you can find one on eBay for $150. Overall, it is not that expensive problem to fix. Only if the motor is broken you can expect to pay a ton of cash to fix it.
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to the EPS light Hyundai. First, we learned what is the EPS light and if this light is a serious problem.
After that, we learned how electric power steering works and the main causes of the EPS light. Then we learned how to diagnose and the cost to fix the problem with the EPS. And while you’re here, we do have plenty of other detailed write-ups concerning power steering systems.
We’ve previously discussed whether can you use power steering fluid as brake fluid, the power steering pump replacement cost, a power steering fluid leak, a general overview of power steering fluid, as well as the symptoms of a bad power steering pump, and whether can you use transmission fluid for power steering fluid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
What’s Power Steering
Power steering is a system that makes turning the wheel a lot easier. There is electric power steering in newer cars and hydraulic power steering in older vehicles.
What Does Power Steering Do
Power steering simply helps you turn the steering wheel a lot easier. Without power steering, the wheel would be really difficult to turn. Especially if the car is in a stationary position and is not moving. So, parking your car without this system would be a nightmare.
What Does EPS Stand For
EPS stands for the electric power steering system. This system comes in some cars from Europe and also in some Asian carmakers like Hyundai and Kia. Basically replaces the hydraulic pump with an electric motor.
What Causes Electric Power Steering Failure
There could be multiple things. Namely, software glitch, blown fuse, rusted battery terminals, bad battery, bad ECU for the power steering, bad torque sensor for the power steering, and bad wheel speed sensor. But usually, the problem is something simple like the battery, or the ECU has died.
Can A Bad Battery Cause Electric Power Steering Problems
Yes, it definitely can. These systems are really dependent on the battery to work since they are electric. And if your battery is dead or dying, you might want to check the voltages it makes and replace it if faulty.
How To Reset Power Steering Assist Fault
Just remove the positive terminal from the battery and leave it like that for 30 seconds. This will reset every electric system in your car and hopefully will solve this problem. Also, check the battery voltage since the battery can also cause this problem to occur.
