Fault codes are the bane of every service technician’s (and driver’s!) existence. And as cars have advanced over the years, it’s a lot more than just the “Check Engine” Light (CEL).

While you shouldn’t ignore any fault codes, when it comes to selected vehicles’ electric power steering (EPS) systems, some of them are not signs that anything is wrong with the steering components themselves.

Here’s one example: Ford’s Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) B1D23. This code indicates an overheating condition in the power steering system. But on its own, it is not a sign that something is wrong with the Power Steering Control Module. It could simply be the result of excessive steering at very low speeds. For example, having to navigate a parking lot in a short amount of time. These situations can be further exacerbated by low tire pressure.

It is recommended to turn off your vehicle for a few minutes to allow the control module to cool down. In some cases, it may be necessary to clear the fault code with a scan tool.

Here’s another example: in Dodge vehicles like the Charger or the Ram 1500, a similar error message that may appear in the instrument cluster is “Power Steering Hot”. High ambient temperatures and road conditions can be contributing factors.

But as with the Ford DTC, generally, as long you stop loading the steering rack for a few minutes and cycle the ignition, the message should go away.

PART NUMBERS:
ER1001
ER1003
ER5101