Restriction on Power Assist Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Acura TL, 2010 Acura TL, and 2009 Acura TL. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Repeated extreme steering force, such as turning the steering wheel continuously back-and-forth with the vehicle stopped, causes an increase in electrical current draw by the EPS motor The increase of electric current causes the EPS motor to heat up Because this heat adversely affects the system, the control unit monitors the electric current draw of the EPS motor

When the control unit detects heat build-up in the EPS motor, it reduces the electric current to the EPS motor gradually to protect the system, and it restricts the power assist operation The EPS indicator does not come on during this function

When steering torque is not applied to the steering wheel, or when the ignition is turned to LOCK (0), or press the engine start/stop button to select the OFF mode and the EPS motor cools, the control unit will restore the power assist gradually until it's fully restored (after about 8 minutes)