Loss of Steering Power-Assist

[mattjordan]

Mileage: 70k
05 granite sedan base, atx

I was out delivering pizzas several nights ago on the freeway, when the wheel became stiff and the Info Center said simply "POWER STEERING"
I lost all power assist and pulled over. I restarted on the side of the freeway and kept going.


over the next 2 or 3 days it has been doing this to me.. a click in the column or column area and the message followed by and extensive workout...

30 times it's done this today (had to keep working) and the dealership isn't open until monday.

They can take this pos and put some front end components in it before I get it back... it rattles, creaks, pops, and frankly just downright worries me.

It's so sad that GM puts out this garbage... it's like the new malibu vs old commercials... in a few years it'll be "remember those junker cobalts we made? we're a different company now!"

this is more of a rant than anything else... though I am looking for anyone that's had similar issue(s)

I had this issue happen in only one of the Chevy cars my company had in its fleet. Can't remember if it was an 07 or 08 Cobalt or Malibu, but it has happened.

[cobaltkrazy]

okay, this happened just after i did the clutch in my balt, but first to go was the speedometer, if your speedo isnt working as well, then the problem with the power steering is the signal......have the VSS replaced(vehicle speed sensor)

the cobalt employs a speed sensitive electric steering to make high speed manouvers easier

if it is not that, then there is something shorting out in the steering column(which it may be, judging by what you are saying, but when the light comes on, does the check engine light come on with it? And does the speedo still work?

[mattjordan]

the speedometer works but seems sluggish to get back to zero.. it's at the dealership now
front end on the car sounds like its falling apart...

the power steering is electric... sounds like a short...

[dduffy2005]

Originally Posted by mattjordan

the speedometer works but seems sluggish to get back to zero.. it's at the dealership now
front end on the car sounds like its falling apart...

That's a cobalt thing

[D4u2s0t]

well, at 70k miles, i'm assuming that you have checked out all the suspension and steering components a bunch of times as maintenance? make sure there's no leaks, everything is connected properly, fuses look good, etc? struts aren't leaking, springs aren't cracked, everything is tight? if so, i don't get why you wouldn't have noticed. if you haven't, then you need to make it part of your routine. parts wear out, and need to be checked regularly. you should be checking your suspension components at least every 15,000 miles.

let us know what the problem is when they find it.