Nissan Micra EPS issue

Hi all, here I would like to share a little experience with my Micra. The EPS failure seems like a common issue with this particular Nissan model, and it bothered me a bit since I had my Micra second hand while it's done around 40,000 on the dashboard. The red PS light sometimes came on results no power steering, but it usually goes off after second On/Off try then power steering came back. About 3-4 month ago EPS finally gave up, since then I got to drive really hard as steering became so heavy. I looked around for a solution, it is just too expensive to had a new steering column fit in, so here comes OBD tool N607, it's designed for Nissan cars known as Nissan consult II copy cat, it detected fault codes on the electric power steering ECU, and I wiped it all out, then PS red light go away and power steering restored, I never felt a car steering could be that so light, it feels like no resistant at all lol. I initially bought an AUTEL MD802 4 system version it didn't fulfill its duty as it can't communicate with electric power steering ECU, late on I realise there is an all system version of the model it might read fault codes from the electric power steering ECU but I haven't proved it yet, my recommendation is go for all system version if you are thinking buying it.

Some pictures I took during use(I only have the tool used less than 2min lol).

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Hi Ben,
I have the same problem with my K12 1.2 (2004). I wonder if you know of some other cheaper device that also erases the PS light (my display says PS, not EPS, but it's the same). I wonder if you know if the Autel AL319 does it. I can not find the N607 (I live in Spain) neither on the internet.
Thank you very much for your help.
 
Hi Jason. Thanks for you answer. I've been to the car workshop several times and they've always reset my car's computer; they tell me that the eps system is not broken and that changing it would costs about € 3000 (crazy!) I'd like to know with which machine they reset my car; just not going to the car workshop (50€) every month. Thanks.
 

huttojb

Club Member
EPS System Guru
What’s the DTC they keep resetting? The only way the PS light will come on us if there is an internal fault on the EPS or there is a CAN/wiring issue. If the PS light is on and the steering is heavy then the EPS is faulty.

Where are you?
 
I do not know exactly what they do. I only know that I take it to the car workshop, they reset the car's computer and I leave with the assisted steering working perfectly, and with 50 € less. What it means (they say to me) that the power steering engine works, but there must be some failure in the alignment or something ... I do not understand cars.
And I also know that once a month, or two months, the PS light will come back on, and then start again.
I live in Spain.
 

huttojb

Club Member
EPS System Guru
Your Steering has an intermittent fault. The steering is very self contained, only the steering can decide to work or not.

There’s no alighment issues that can cause a PS fault.

You need to replace your steering! Postage to Spain will cost a lot!!

Jason
 
Ok. Thanks.
But then, I do not understand how Ben has been able to turn off the PS light with the OBD tool N607. I would like to find something like that.
 
To huttojb. Hi I had hoped to be able to get some of your advise on the PS problem with my daughter’s 2004 Micra. I have read all your previous responses to similar problems and I am trying to find a garage who can do the work what you advise but upto now no luck. I am driving it home from Uni on Saturday night and I am praying that the PS is working when I start the car(4 hrs motorway) and we have two weeks before her road tax and MOT will be up. Please, please where can we go to fix it?
 
Thank you so much for replying and yes I am driving from York to London but it will be late on Saturday night. I can drive back Monday/Wednesday afternoon or evening or the next Saturday/Sunday? Many thanks again.
 
Lol, that message was full of options!!! Saturday is fine, what time you thinking?
Saturday the 23 rd. will be great. Before or after lunch ? I will fit in with your time table. I will drive down the M40 to Birminghambe in about 2 hrs. What would be the best way to send you some personal information like mobile so I can text you when I am leaving. Many thanks again, it will make all the difference to hear your opinion even if it is to give up hope and scrap it. I have driven it home from York on Saturday night and the PS light had gone off so it was a smooth drive at 70mph for 4 hrs which is why I don’t like to give up on this car.
 
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huttojb

Club Member
EPS System Guru
Abit far for a visit then. Usually the unit is very self contained and usually when the ps light is on, it's a failure with the unit. Little fiddly to replace but not hard. Depends how attached you are with the car? I would recommend a replacement but that's totally up to you. ?
 
Abit far for a visit then. Usually the unit is very self contained and usually when the ps light is on, it's a failure with the unit. Little fiddly to replace but not hard. Depends how attached you are with the car? I would recommend a replacement but that's totally up to you. ?
Depends on what I need to fix it and how much it will cost, I was led to believe I couldn't fit a new/SH steering column as it is coded to the cars electronics. Do you supply and fit, if I come to you? I'm not very good with mending cars and I don't know any mechanics that can do it.
I don't understand this problem, the steering has felt perfect and smooth, for the last 3 years, no notchiness at all or anything else to indicate its faulty ,now the computer clicks the relay off when its feels like it and when I start the car up and then no PS, why? I do not believe there is ACTUALLY a FAULT with the steering but computer thinks so. car has only done 30 thousand miles.
 

huttojb

Club Member
EPS System Guru
The system checks on start up and if it monitors a failure then it will trip to stop the motor engagement. Usually this means there is an issue. Don’t forget these are safety critical components. I’ve sent you a DM aswell but it’s getting harder and harder to source these units for my other applications, the systems are getting older. The PS light is usually self contained and indicates you have an eps issue. You could do what other highly trained mechanics do and clear the fault and obviously this ‘fixes’ the issue. Although this may work short term in my experience it either repeats straight away or trips out soon afterwards.

Jason.
 
Oh no. Dropping like flies!!
Afternoon Huttojb, I have a k12 micra with an immobiliser issue preventing the vehicle from turning over since the battery was disconnected. The car has had a replacement EPS system (suspect 2nd hand) and I have seen a previous thread where you mention the EPS can be 're-programmed/coded' to the vehicle. Would you mind DM'ing me with more details on what the process is/ the cause of the fault? I am in Bristol so getting the car to you is a long haul. More than happy to pay for your wisdom... Thanks!
 
Huttojb, thanks again for popping by today going out of your way to sort my K12. As predicted you were absolutely right about the fault with my EPS and had the dongle re-coded and sorted in no time at all. From being offered £150 for the car and told by many there was no fix it was scrap to many more happy miles ?? Really grateful.
 
I used to work with the Nissan EPS system and can help if your near Birmingham.
Jason.
Hi huttojob, I am just starting to research. I had a fault on EPS on my nissan micra almost 6 months ago. So the local garage, change the EPS and they got a second hand one. It works alright then I noticed car key light after around 5 minutes after starting the car. Then I went back, they said to go to locksmith somewhere. Then locksmith said they cannot do it.

Eventually, the battery died and then the car won't start. Took another 2 weeks then manage to start but car key light still the same.

Now, same thing happened, brought to nissan and they told me that I need to change the EPS with new one if I don't have the old steering unit as they need the code from the original unit. I left the old steering unit in the first garage, didn't know there will be issues on it further.

You may be able to advice but I am in Dublin, not near Birmingham. Appreciate your help. Thanks.
 

huttojb

Club Member
EPS System Guru
Hey. I’m sure we can find a way. Someone else has the same issue and they have removed the unit and sent it me. Is this an option?
 
Hey. I’m sure we can find a way. Someone else has the same issue and they have removed the unit and sent it me. Is this an option?
thanks for responding, are you referring to the old unit or the car itself with the second hand eps unit? the old unit was thrown away, can we chat in pm? thanks, rhiza
 
I have a similar issue with one of ours,changed the electric motor for a reconditioned "virginised" unit all works fine but after driving the car for 2 Miles approximately the red security light comes on and stays on until you turn the car off and on again and it clears for another couple of miles!!
 
I used to work with the Nissan EPS system and can help if your near Birmingham.
Jason.
Hi

I have a K12 2005 nissan micra with EPS fault, ive been making do but has now failed MOT. Im based in Northampton and have noticed your expertise with these issues, are you able to have a look at my car?

Many thanks in advance
Leah
 

huttojb

Club Member
EPS System Guru
Hi

I have a K12 2005 nissan micra with EPS fault, ive been making do but has now failed MOT. Im based in Northampton and have noticed your expertise with these issues, are you able to have a look at my car?

Many thanks in advance
Leah
Hey. Have we spoke, been speaking to so many people recently?
 
Hi Jason, @huttojb can you help me out with a replacement EPS for a 2004 K12? Steering is heavy, PS light on and faults C1603, C1606 and C1608 stored. I'm located in the Scottish Borders TD11QD. The issue with the car has been ongoing for over a year now. It got through last years MOT when it was only intermittently loosing power steering, but now mostly doesn't work. Thanks in advance, Greg
 

huttojb

Club Member
EPS System Guru
Hey Greg. I’ll pm message you but it’s coming more and more a none economical repair unless you really have a soft spot for the car.
 
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