2008 ford escape power steering control module location

First post - this is a fact packed website!

2008 Escape V6, AWD, 90k miles

No prior symptoms of wheel shake or loss of power steering. I just got in it after driving shortly before and no power steering. Zero. No warning lights to DTCs.

Did the following:
1) Disconnected battery for 10 minutes, reconnected - no change.
2) Checked for power and ground at the two connections on the power steering module - 12.2 v, battery was 12.7-12.8 (engine off, key on). One is the big power lead from the battery the other is from key on fused (#35). Verfied the connectors clicked in place nice and tight. No change.
3) Replaced the torque sensor - no change.
4) Verified the system voltage is 14.6 with car running

Once I had power at the module I assumed the torque sensor failed. Replaced it but zero change. I assume if I fouled up the torque sensor install the wheel would at least behave erratically.

I am out of ideas. Is there something else I can check? The torque sensor seemed like the solid solution. Now I do not want to throw more money at the problem just guessing.

Thanks!

Do you know if was taken in for the recall, and if it was, which of the fixes might have been done to it? I don't know of a way to check on recalls already done, I think you can only see outstanding recalls.

Are there any codes present, is the check engine light on, and do you have a way to get codes?

I checked for codes (no lights) and did not have any. I am the second owner no idea if it was in for the recall. That is why I went for the torque sensor once I knew the power to the unit was good.

Any way to test the motor or module with a scan tool?

Thanks!

You need a more advanced scanner. We talk a lot here about a program called forscan that works on your computer and connects with an ELM327 Bluetooth adapter to the vehicle. With this program you can scan ALL of the modules on the 08. You should get some DTCs from the power steering module that can help diagnose the problem.

Thanks I read that link and did all those tests before I sent it to a mechanic.

This is the feedback he gave me "well it is like it just died. There is missing data or packets of info from the sensor. I do not see any data going to or from the sensor or the power steering motor. There are faults or data issues from the traction control system and abs. Like too many faults to make any sense. I think there is a short in the wiring harness or possibly the PCM is going bad."

Well that is a lot to unpack. When this started I had no lights or codes or any other issues just zero power assist. When I drove to the shop the traction control light came on so that was a new one. Is there any underlying connection between the power steering system and traction or abs? Looking for a place to start other than checking every. single. connection.

Thank you

Might want to check the PCM for corrosion:

After cleaning the terminals at the ECM and under the power junction all my lights and warnings have gone away but I still have no power steering. Mechanic says he can't communicate and sees no movement.

I am going to find a replacement power steering unit. Are they all interchangeable from 2008 to 2012 Escape, Mariner, Tribute?

QUOTE:" Mechanic says he can't communicate and sees no movement."

I figure this must be after cleaning all the ECM connectors. If so, I think he's noting that the steering control unit is not responding on the CANBUS(or?). Previously, it seemed he was seeing too much traffic on said bus, making it impossible for him to determine what was working and what was not.
Assume, as the phrase goes...
If all that above fits, he can't see any steering controller input and it won't respond about pass/fail on its diagnostics.
I'd look for one of those. Boneyard, I suppose.
You may be able to determine years applicable by searching for one at the web site for used parts: car dash part dot com
Put in your year, make, model, whatever, and select the part you want. It will return any that should be usable, and show the vintage, etc. You may find a 2010 Fusion S fits and substitutes. I MADE example that UP, so do not search out a Fusion part.
tom

Snyder1968 said:

First post - this is a fact packed website!

2008 Escape V6, AWD, 90k miles

No prior symptoms of wheel shake or loss of power steering. I just got in it after driving shortly before and no power steering. Zero. No warning lights to DTCs.

Did the following:
1) Disconnected battery for 10 minutes, reconnected - no change.
2) Checked for power and ground at the two connections on the power steering module - 12.2 v, battery was 12.7-12.8 (engine off, key on). One is the big power lead from the battery the other is from key on fused (#35). Verfied the connectors clicked in place nice and tight. No change.
3) Replaced the torque sensor - no change.
4) Verified the system voltage is 14.6 with car running

Once I had power at the module I assumed the torque sensor failed. Replaced it but zero change. I assume if I fouled up the torque sensor install the wheel would at least behave erratically.

I am out of ideas. Is there something else I can check? The torque sensor seemed like the solid solution. Now I do not want to throw more money at the problem just guessing.

Thanks!

I have the same problem. mine is a 2010 Ford Escape. 6.awd. It was replaced entirely in march of 2015. I have no shaking.I checked the fuses inside the cab.#35 and in the engine compartment A which is an 80 amp. all good. The odd thing is I have no shake or immediate turn to left or right, but armstrong steering. I am buying an Innova 5160 which i hope to determine something. But beforehand if it is the angle sensor should i have not had vibration or an immediate left or right turn?

Hey guys, I hate to keep nagging this point, but forscan is the way to go in order to see what is really going on when trying to troubleshoot devices on the canbus. $20 for an ELM327 adapter and the free download of the software will go a long way of telling you if the power steering control module is alive & talking to the bus and if it is what DTCs are present.

*yes I know I have a DTC in the FDIM because my satellite radio module is unplugged

I did the angle sensor because it was such a common problem but I never had any shaking. That was a waster of $165.

I bought a used column $250 and installed. That fixed me up. The power steering motor or the control board must have failed. The columns are hard to get I went to a you pick it yard they had 9 cars all the columns were gone. I called a half dozen places to finally find one.

Thanks Bluto I looked into Forscan. Nice product with a lot of power.

I did the angle sensor because it was such a common problem but I never had any shaking. That was a waster of $165.

I bought a used column $250 and installed. That fixed me up. The power steering motor or the control board must have failed. The columns are hard to get I went to a you pick it yard they had 9 cars all the columns were gone. I called a half dozen places to finally find one.

They seem pretty available here in Minnesota!
I went looking for the upper dash display, dash vents, headlight switch, and a few other things: looked into at least 10 vehicles; only 2 seemed to have columns pulled...