Steering Malfunction Warning...

Originally Posted by VileVince

Just got this warning this morning in my '05 645ci while making my first left turn at a stop sign. I pulled over, parked, turned the car off, turned it back on & warning was gone the whole commute to work (about 30min). I didn't notice much with steering response or anything, maybe a little "tighter", if that makes sense. I'm going to check my fluid levels later when the car cools again, hopefully it's just low & I'll go grab some Pentosin CHF 11.S for $20. Glad I found this thread, I figured it was probably low fluid, plus it has been rather cold here lately.

Checked my fluid yesterday before heading to lunch, stick was bone dry. Saw there was fluid in there, but very low. Seemed like the same combo of low fluid & cold weather. Went & bought some CHF 11s at O' Reily's & topped off this morning. Had no issues commuting to work & steering seems to feel back to normal. Total cost $24.02 with tax.

I was smart enough to leave my garage door open on Monday night, when the temperatures in Denver dipped below zero. By the time I got out to my car in the morning, it was still really cold in there - about 5 degrees. Sure enough, I got the steering message.

I'm on the road, but I'll check the fluid when I get back. I bet it's low.

I got my annual active steering malfunction warning today. Fluid must have been a bit low because it cleared itself right away and my turn signal would deactivate by turning the wheel.

If you get the malfunction and turning the wheel does not clear the turn signal indicator (either direction), it is likely a problem with the steering angle sensor as opposed to the power steering fluid level.

Nice forum people, just got this stupid message today, After pulling into chinese restaurant parking lot it was steep sidewalk I wonder if that triggered the fluid to drop below the sensor line for a second? I will try adding CHF-11 fluid to see if it will fix it, will be back.

see thread below

see thread below

a

here is how i fixed mine after trying resetting it many times it always comes back right away turning the steering wheel to left and right to reset did not work either . Finally out of frastration i disconnected the battery both poles and waited for 15 min got in the car and just turned the key to on only not starting the car to my surprise i can see the tilted steering wheel slowly center it self to normal position waited a little longer to give it time to adjust then just started the car. car started good but the light was still on .while car still running turned the wheel all the way to the left first then all the way to the right (while turning the wheel to the right i felt this hard jolt at the wheel and i returned wheel to center and wow light goes out) drove the car all day no problems at all she is back baby. My car 2004 bmw 530i sport. hope this helps.

I had this same problem for the past month "Steering Malfunction...Possible hazard from fluid loss in steering or suspension hydraulic system. Do not continue driving." The warning would only come on in the mornings as I was driving to work. Later in the day (going to lunch, coming home, etc) the light would NEVER come on. I had it looked at by my mechanic several times but the fluids were always fine, etc. But, the third time I brought it in they found that the "low fluid sensor" for the power steering was bad. I am waiting for the part to come in and for him to replace it and then hopefully...no more problem! Lol...

This actually a DIY on most BMWs.
Replace the sensor which requires the purchase of the reservoir, cap and sensor (check online BMW parts Atlanta) and fill back up with SF-11 fluid. The cost for my 645ci was $59, two new clamps and the fluid ... $26. The process took about fifty five minutes.

Note: Use a turkey baster to remove the fluid in the reservoir first so you don't have fluid all over your garage floor.

My mechanic ended up changing the sensor for me about three weeks ago and now the problem is gone. He only charged me $110.00 total for parts and labor. I'm sure if I had gone to the dealer it would have been at least three times that!

He likely put the reservoir on and reused the fluid. The side benefit is that the resevoir has a filter in it and if you are over 60K, that's a good thing.

I had the same message and took my car to dealer. They say they need to replace a steering rack, and they are charging me $5000.00!!! I'm shocked!
I drive 2004 550i. It has 70K. Never an accident, easy Florida driving. Help!

Might be the case. Do you notice any steering issues or just the hazard warning? If the latter, I'd leave and have an independent garage install the reservoir. The most important thing you can do if you are not into DIY, is to have a very good indy shop