Power Steering Shut Off On Highway

[jac04]

2021 JT Mojave, 3.6 gas, AT, 45900 miles, no drivetrain or steering system modifications.

Yesterday I had a scary experience on the highway when my electric power steering (EPS) stopped working. The JT was completely up to temperature, had been cruising at about 70-73mph, and all of a sudden I felt a slight 'tug' at the steering wheel and noticed the power steering was no longer working. Now, immediately before the EPS shut off, I went WOT for about 2-3 seconds to avoid snow coming off the top of a semi trailer, then took my foot off the gas pedal, and a second or so after that is when I felt the 'tug'.

Initially I thought I had a tire blowout, but I immediately checked tire pressure and everything was OK. Then I checked voltage, which was also normal at 14.6-14.7V (which is in range for where the voltage has always been).

I can tell you that this vehicle is VERY difficult to steer without EPS, even on the highway with minimal steering inputs required. If one of my kids or my wife was driving, this could have ended very badly.

I was able to fight the steering to take an exit, and as soon as I slowed down to about 20mph to make a right turn into a parking area, the EPS started working again. I stopped and did a cursory under-hood check at idle, but noticed nothing unusual.

The rest of my trip was uneventful. Drove another 75 highway miles, shut off for about 30-40 minutes, then drove about 150 highway miles back home. I brought my son to school this morning, no issues.

I scanned for DTCs as soon as I got home yesterday and there were no codes at all. Here is the screen showing the steering modules:

- Battery terminals & connections checked OK.
- Fuses were all seated.
- Checked the EPS connector up near the air filter and everything seems fine, although I did not disconnect it to look inside.
- Checked all the connections at the high-amp "N" fuse array. The only nut I could snug up on just a little bit was the N6 connection, which is for the Electric Power Steering Pump. It definitely wasn't loose, it just wasn't as tight as the others. Coincidence? Maybe.

The EPS isn't covered under the drivetrain warranty, and there are no codes showing, so I doubt the dealer could do anything other than charge me a diagnostic fee to tell me everything is OK.

I wonder if this is something that I should report to the NHTSA.

So, has anyone else had an experience like this?

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[War_shiper]

I had that same issue in a '20, and it the dealer replaced the steering control module. Then it was under warranty. I found that once I got under a certain speed it would start working again.

 

[NC_Overland]

I’m sorry that happened. I don’t understand how it’s so scary though. I’ve driven classic cars and trucks my whole life with no port steering. Have two currently. Even the trucks arrest to steer once moving. That being said, most people can’t even drive a manual anymore, let alone a non synchronized manual.

What am I missing here?

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

If you’re expecting it it’s ok. If it’s a system failure at hiway speed yeah it’d be a concern. All of a sudden the Gladiator becomes Planet Fitness.

 

[@californiajeeping]

Mine has done this exact thing a few times.

Always kicks back on under about 20mph. With 40s when it shuts off its scary.

To replicate;

Has to be wide open throttle
Stereo has to be up with subwoofer amp up etc

On the shift it cuts out and doesnt turn back on until you slow down for a few seconds below 20mph.

No error codes dealer cant figure it out.

I think its the starconnector.

 

[NC_Overland]

The only time mine ever did anything similar is when it turned out that my main battery was failing. It’s been fine for a year now.

 

[jac04]

Mine has done this exact thing a few times.

Always kicks back on under about 20mph. With 40s when it shuts off its scary.

To replicate;

Has to be wide open throttle
Stereo has to be up with subwoofer amp up etc

On the shift it cuts out and doesnt turn back on until you slow down for a few seconds below 20mph.

No error codes dealer cant figure it out.

I think its the starconnector.

Interesting info, thanks. How many times has it happened to you?

I may just go ahead and swap out the Star Connector.

 

[jac04]

I’m sorry that happened. I don’t understand how it’s so scary though. I’ve driven classic cars and trucks my whole life with no port steering. Have two currently. Even the trucks arrest to steer once moving. That being said, most people can’t even drive a manual anymore, let alone a non synchronized manual.

What am I missing here?

I've driven classic cars with no power steering (and a few with no 1/2 synchros) for over 53 years as well. I still have one in my garage with no power steering and no power brakes.

What you are missing is that manual steering is WAY different than power steering with a failed pump. And this variable speed EPS system seems to be even worse than the engine driven PS pump systems.

But, if you think I'm mistaken about how difficult this thing is to steer with a failed pump, disconnect the N6 cable and give it a try.

 

[jac04]

I had that same issue in a '20, and it the dealer replaced the steering control module. Then it was under warranty. I found that once I got under a certain speed it would start working again.

Did you have the issue more than once?

 

[NC_Overland]

I've driven classic cars with no power steering (and a few with no 1/2 synchros) for over 53 years as well. I still have one in my garage with no power steering and no power brakes.

What you are missing is that manual steering is WAY different than power steering with a failed pump. And this variable speed EPS system seems to be even worse than the engine driven PS pump systems.

But, if you think I'm mistaken about how difficult this thing is to steer with a failed pump, disconnect the N6 cable and give it a try.

That’s why I asked what I’m missing here because typically once you’re moving, even driving something like an AA truck, is easy to steer.

 

[War_shiper]

Did you have the issue more than once?

A couple of times it happened before I took it to the dealership. It's scary at 70mph and good thing I wasn't going into a turn. I didn't have any issues after it was fixed before I traded it in. It was an intermittent issue as well. That gladiator also would lose its speedometer display. Something was ost definitely lose under the dash. I could hit the driver side tweeter and I would come back on.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Something was ost definitely lose under the dash. I could hit the driver side tweeter and I would come back on.

And some people say they don’t make Jeeps like they used to. Pshhhh

 

[NC_Overland]

And some people say they don’t make Jeeps like they used to. Pshhhh

Something loose behind the dash is definitely typical Jeep going back to the AMC days.

 

[@californiajeeping]

Interesting info, thanks. How many times has it happened to you?

I may just go ahead and swap out the Star Connector.

10x it has reduced as of late. Only when my subwoofers or stereo was all the way up now. Hasn’t done it in 10k miles.

 

[Rusty PW]

A couple of other people have reported the same thing. One of the easier things to check for is the ground on the chassis for the power steering. Either paint or some corrosion could be causing an issue. .

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