electric steering rack freezing up

[Davis Canada]

2013 Dodge Ram Sport. If it is cold (even -4 celcius) The steering rack on my truck freezes and locks up. I know it is the rack because if I put a little electric heater on it. (right where the wiring loom connects, along the front just behind the truck frame) within 5-7 minutes the steering unlocks. It is literally like an on/off switch to free up the steering.

Cold it is locked like the old school steering column locks, put heater on, try to wiggle the steering nothing. Keep trying every 30 seconds or so and then all the sudden it frees up and turns. No issue when driving. Even if I thaw it and drive in -20 all is good.

Thoughts? Does it need the whole rack replaced or is there piece that you guys can think of?

 

[crash68]

sounds like water has permeated into the steering rack. Can you turn the wheel with the truck off? Either way your probably looking at an entire rack as if water is in there it will cause corrosion eventually. It might be electrical, maybe try pulling the plug and applying some dielectric greese to keep the connections dry.

 

[Jtblackram]

If i were you, if its still driveable at all i wouldnt do anything to it. Those racks are a $1000 a piece at least.

 

[Davis Canada]

I can not turn the wheel at all with the engine off. But I can't when the weather is warm either. The grease on the plugs sounds like a good start. Thanks

 

[crazykid1994]

Sounds like could be an electronic issue. I’d start with the plug but it’s not intermittent. Wondering if the tipm is having an issue. Not sure if there is a relay for the power steering

 

[Baeast]

2013 Dodge Ram Sport. If it is cold (even -4 celcius) The steering rack on my truck freezes and locks up. I know it is the rack because if I put a little electric heater on it. (right where the wiring loom connects, along the front just behind the truck frame) within 5-7 minutes the steering unlocks. It is literally like an on/off switch to free up the steering.

Cold it is locked like the old school steering column locks, put heater on, try to wiggle the steering nothing. Keep trying every 30 seconds or so and then all the sudden it frees up and turns. No issue when driving. Even if I thaw it and drive in -20 all is good.

Thoughts? Does it need the whole rack replaced or is there piece that you guys can think of?

Have you found a solution to this issue?

My power steering is not starting up in cold weather either. Anytime it is below 45ºF and sits overnight, it happens.

2015 ram 1500

It also happened once when driving in the snow. I drove in the snow on the highway and splashed snow pretty good in one instance, and within 60 seconds my power steering cuts off on the highway. in snow.

Lately I have begun driving in the morning without power steering and after 7 miles, I can put the truck in neutral and power cycle the ignition until the EPS kicks on. I am fairly confident I can do this safely, but I absolutely hate the auto gear switching once the truck goes below 3 mph.

 

[jws123]

Have you found a solution to this issue?

My power steering is not starting up in cold weather either. Anytime it is below 45ºF and sits overnight, it happens.

2015 ram 1500

It also happened once when driving in the snow. I drove in the snow on the highway and splashed snow pretty good in one instance, and within 60 seconds my power steering cuts off on the highway. in snow.

Lately I have begun driving in the morning without power steering and after 7 miles, I can put the truck in neutral and power cycle the ignition until the EPS kicks on. I am fairly confident I can do this safely, but I absolutely hate the auto gear switching once the truck goes below 3 mph.

'Solution'' tear The **** eSteering rack out replace with the more reliable power steering few people know have issues with the electric steering cutting out. I love my 2011 still have a ps pump never a issue. Lol

 

[Livinalittle]

I had this problem as well. First I unplugged the two connectors, greased the pins, and plugged them back in. That worked for a few months but it came back. The next step for me was to replace the stock battery with an AGM, the old one was 8 years old. That was a month ago and so far it hasn't happened to me since, knock wood.

I'm trying to eliminate all the common electrical issues before I drop $1000-$1500 on a rack.