BMW power steering warning
The power steering warning (a steering wheel with an exclamation mark) means the steering assist is reduced or switched off. The car still steers, but it takes much more effort, especially when parking.
Older BMWs, and many larger ones, use hydraulic power steering with a pump. Many newer smaller BMWs steer electrically, with a motor and its own control unit, which stores the fault.
Usual causes
- Hydraulic steering: low fluid from a leak, or a failing pump.
- Electric steering: low battery voltage, a fault in the steering motor or its control unit, or a connector.
- Electric steering: the steering's end stops not learned after a battery disconnect or steering work.
- Active steering, on cars that have it: a fault in its actuator or sensors.
What to do
- Hydraulic steering: check the fluid level in the reservoir, and look for leaks at the pump, hoses and rack.
- Electric steering: check the battery, then read the faults in the power steering module; a fault for end stops not learned has its own fix.
- After the repair, clear the faults and turn the steering lock to lock with the engine running.
General guidance from how BMWs work, not a diagnosis of your car: the fault the module stored, with its details, tells you more.
The fault codes behind it
- Electronic Power Steering fault codes 63 codes · E70, E71, E72, E81, E82, E84, …
- Active steering fault codes 56 codes · E60, E61, E63, E64, E70, E71, …
Reading the fault
AutoLingo for BMW reads the fault behind the light from the module that stored it, in plain English and with its details, and clears it after the repair, with BMW's own diagnostic protocols: a generic OBD2 code reader only reaches the engine's emissions faults. See what it does on your BMW.
Questions
- Is it safe to drive with the power steering warning?
- The car still steers, but much more heavily, which can surprise you in a turn or when parking. Drive carefully to where it can be fixed.
- Why did the power steering warning come on after a battery change?
- Electric power steering can lose its learned end stops when the battery is disconnected. Turning the steering fully to each side with the engine running often fixes it; otherwise they're learned with diagnostic tools.
AutoLingo for BMW adapter
$119.00 Launch price $189.00 later
The app is free; you buy the adapter once. Free shipping within the US.
Order the adapter- 30-day returns, and a lifetime warranty (physical damage excluded)
Other warning lights: BMW ABS and DSC lights on BMW airbag light on BMW check engine light on BMW battery and charging warning BMW brake pad wear warning BMW tire pressure warning BMW coolant temperature warning BMW engine oil warning BMW drivetrain malfunction warning BMW electric parking brake warning BMW light failure warning