Nissan Tiida 2008 strange power steering malfunction

[Casanova]

Dear Experts,

I purchased a 2008 nissan tiida few months back, 2nd owner car with all the records and the vehicle user manual. This is a CVT model. I've been experiencing a strange power steering malfunction ever since. (This has Electric Power Steering). As soon as I purchased the car I did all the required suspension repairs from my mechanic as well.

Now coming to the issue, When I start driving the power steering works fine and the steering feels light. (But it is anyway kind of stiff in the middle position which I did not experience driving other cars with EPS, such as Honda Fit,) But after driving for about half an hour the steering gets stiff and does not return after a turn at all which kind of really annoying and I have to straight the steering by force. When the journey is done and the car is stopped, (means if I drive it again after maybe an hour, not right away) the steering starts to feel light again and steering return functions is also better. And again the same thing happens after sometime.

Any expertise advise on this issue from veterans and tiida users?

I chose tiida for better cabin room than others in it's class, if this is an unsolvable issue should I look for an alternative car? 

Thanks.
Casanova.   

Edited October 30, 2019 by Casanova

[Casanova]

35 minutes ago, Devinda_Z said:

Congratulations @Casanova

You also now have the added peace of mind of the reliability of a nearly new Japanese car which is a massive bonus i'm sure

Those Kei's are so spacious inside - never ceases to amaze me how they managed to make them so roomy with those external dimensions!

 

Thanks @Devinda_Z

My perception towards the Keis drastically changed within the few months of ownership. IMO the keis have transformed a lot in past few years and bring smiles per gallon for the owners.??

[Hyaenidae]

@rcmadawala  @Rumesh88

Edited October 30, 2019 by Hyaenidae

[Davy]

Get a diagnostic scan done and observe the values of the steering position sensor and torque sensor(s). It might be a faulty sensor that acts up when warm. Take it to the agent as they will use their proprietary scan tools and will be able to tell if readings are off. 

[Casanova]

Thanks Davy & Hyaenidae

[Casanova]

Hi Again,

After failing, trying to get an appointment for an inspection for couple of days from A*W, thanks for their not reachable hotline, I went to my trustworthy mechanic and did a diagnostic of the car and no errors were shown in EPS. So im down to one again, since while I'm driving back home the same wired steering getting stiff happened. (The EPS warning light doesn't blink when this happens.) Any tiida users here who has gone through the same problem?

Drives me nuts and I'm thinking of getting rid of the tiida already. Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks  & Regards.
Casanova.

[Hyaenidae]

So I did some googling and it sounds like your EPS motor is overheating.

https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1285053

Try doing some "dry steering" (turning the steering while the vehicle is stationary) multiple times and see if you lose the eps assist. 

The workshop manual of my car (Lancer) says:

Edited November 11, 2019 by Hyaenidae

[Casanova]

Thanks Hyaenidae for taking time to look into this matter.

 

Edited November 11, 2019 by Casanova

[Hyaenidae]

1 hour ago, Casanova said:

I went to my trustworthy mechanic and did a diagnostic of the car and no errors were shown in EPS. 

According to the workshop manual (of the Lancer), it's not the EPS errors you should be looking at; the agent can check if the system is deliberately limiting the steering assist by checking the EPS ECU data against the values mentioned in the workshop manual using their proprietary scan tools, just like @Davy said. Then they'll be able to determine for sure if the EPS system is overheating for some reason.

[Casanova]

Thanks again Hyaenidae, so I will contact the agent again an book an appoinement and do a proper diagnostic on the EPS ECU as you and davy mentioned and update if there is any development. Really Appreciate the help given.

[da_semicolon]

Hey I'm thinking of buying the Tiida 2008. What's your take on the vehicle?

Sent from my HD1901 using AutoLanka.com mobile app powered by Tapatalk

[Casanova]

Hi da_semicolon,

I’ve been using the car only for 3 months and did nearly 5000 kms. Car is roomy has decent amount of leg room and head room. I’m impressed with the interior except few rattles from the dash in bumpy roads. My car is almost stock so has the original CD player, so no aux in, blue tooth. Climate control AC works very good.

Acceleration is not that great. But the car feels quite and balanced at 110 kmh at the highway with four people. Other than that im still dealing with above steering issue.

Thanks & Regards.

Casanova.

[Casanova]

Hi Guys,

So did a full inspection on the car at A*W. Apart from that another inspection seperately to diagnose the Power Steering Issue. And found out that the steering rack has been repaired about couple of times (not a proper repair) and it has been modified and crushed to fit. The Agent is saying that without replacing the steering rack, diagnosing the rest of the electrical mechanism including motor is pointless.

The best part is as per them bring down a steering rack will cost 200,000 LKR, and they need at least 2 months to import. ??

Your help is much appiciated for me to go ahead with either of below options.

1. Is there a trustworthy place that I can buy a recondition rack and maybe hand it over to the agent to replace? 

2. is there any trustworthy specialists for electric power steering repair that I can get the whole system fixed?

Thanks & Regards.
Casanova. 

Edited November 29, 2019 by Casanova

[Dee Jay]

I guess your best option would be to buy a recondition steering rack and replace the current rack if it is beyond the state of repairing!

No point in bringing down a brand new steering rack at that price, as with our road conditions it will also wear out after a few thousand KMs.. (depending on the quality of the roads you drive on and your driving pattern the lifetime would vary) 

[Hyaenidae]

17 minutes ago, Casanova said:

Hi Guys,

So did a full inspection on the car at A*W. Apart from that another inspection seperately to diagnose the Power Steering Issue. And found out that the steering rack has been repaired about couple of times (not a proper repair) and it has been modified and crushed to fit. The Agent is saying that without replacing the steering rack, diagnosing the rest of the electrical mechanism including motor is pointless.

The best part is as per them bring down a steering rack will cost 200,000 LKR, and they need at least 2 months to import. ??

Your help is much appiciated for me to go ahead with either of below options.

1. Is there a trustworthy place that I can buy a recondition rack and maybe hand it over to the agent to replace? 

2. is there any trustworthy specialists for electric power steering repair that I can get the whole system fixed?

Thanks & Regards.
Casanova. 

Recon steering racks for the Tiida are available from 10k upwards (check the quick site)

Edited November 29, 2019 by Hyaenidae

[Dhanushka Raj]

@Casanova How is your issue now???

[Casanova]

Hi @Dhanushka Raj

Fixed the steering issue, there were few electrical components have gone bad in the EPS circuit. Fixed by Nishantha in Attidiya. Worked perfect after.

By the way i’m no longer the owner of the tiida.

-Casanova

 

 

 

[Devinda_Z]

6 hours ago, Casanova said:

Hi @Dhanushka Raj

Fixed the steering issue, there were few electrical components have gone bad in the EPS circuit. Fixed by Nishantha in Attidiya. Worked perfect after.

By the way i’m no longer the owner of the tiida.

-Casanova

 

 

 

 

@Casanova is that the sound of relief ??

What did you replace it with??

[Casanova]

20 hours ago, Devinda_Z said:

 

@Casanova is that the sound of relief ??

What did you replace it with??

Well well @Devinda_Z 

Honestly it was a kind of relief, ??

Replaced it with a Honda N Wgn custom turbo 2018. Tiny and nimble, not comfortable like the sedans I have driven. But drove once to Hunas falls and then to Situl pawwa via kataragama so far. Surprisingly handled the hard roads well even-though it’s a kei.?

-Casanova

Edited April 17, 2020 by Casanova

[Devinda_Z]

1 hour ago, Casanova said:

Well well @Devinda_Z 

Honestly it was a kind of relief, ??

Replaced it with a Honda N Wgn custom turbo 2018. Tiny and nimble, not comfortable like the sedans I have driven. But drove once to Hunas falls and then to Situl pawwa via kataragama so far. Surprisingly handled the hard roads well even-though it’s a kei.?

-Casanova

Congratulations @Casanova

You also now have the added peace of mind of the reliability of a nearly new Japanese car which is a massive bonus i'm sure

Those Kei's are so spacious inside - never ceases to amaze me how they managed to make them so roomy with those external dimensions!

 

[Dhanushka Raj]

@Casanova did you dipose it? So not satisfied for tiida??

[CARSMITH]

I have the same car purchased brand new from the agent and done only 80,000 kms for now.. The issue come from the front coil springs roller pads, Some are called it raisers. But in this vehicle it came with a plastic pad, when it get seized the stubborn steering will occur...

[Devinda_Z]

15 hours ago, CARSMITH said:

I have the same car purchased brand new from the agent and done only 80,000 kms for now.. The issue come from the front coil springs roller pads, Some are called it raisers. But in this vehicle it came with a plastic pad, when it get seized the stubborn steering will occur...

@CARSMITH does it also have any inherent AC issues?

[CARSMITH]

For last 12 years i replaced the A/C cooler in 2012 with brand new genuine one.. and replaced the blower last year coz of vibration...

[Devinda_Z]

On 5/6/2020 at 9:45 PM, CARSMITH said:

For last 12 years i replaced the A/C cooler in 2012 with brand new genuine one.. and replaced the blower last year coz of vibration...

That doesn't sound too bad