My wife has a 2005 Toyota Yaris 1 litre with electric power steering. Electric motor under the dash which I presume engages directly with the steering column, i.e. no fluid pump, no hydraulic ram on the steering rack. I was warming it up yesterday in this freezing weather and the power steering warning light came on! I looked in the handbook and it said the light denoted a fault on the power steering. Pretty quick off the mark these handbooks! Take to main dealer immediately, = inconvenience and large bill etc. On looking a little further into the handbook it said if the engine is raced for more than 30 seconds or the vehicle manoeuvred frequently for a long time the power steering will be reduced to prevent the system overheating, the light may or may not illuminate, it may or may not indicate a malfunction, restart the engine and drive. This I did as soon as I started to turn the steering wheel the light went out, and stayed out. For which I was heartily grateful. My wife has had the car for four years and this has never happened before, the engine has been raced before e.g. to ensure the engine is hot at the MOT test. Has anyone experienced anything like this with any car and does anyone know how this motor is controlled? Is there some kind of thermal cut out, is it controlled by an ECU? or some other technology, It would seem to me it must reverse its rotation for turning left or right. I would very much like to know, and would be mosy grateful for any suggestions and experience anyone may have on the subject.
Regards Geoff Peace.