A common problem with the Chevrolet Cruze is a “Service Power Steering” warning on the dashboard. In this article, I’ll talk about why this happens and show you how to fix it. So, let’s get started.
What Does Service Power Steering Mean on a Chevy Cruze?
The Service Power Steering message on a Chevy Cruze is triggered when the car detects an issue with the power steering system.
Since the message talks about power steering, you would easily assume that this is something to do with your steering, but from working on these cars for a while, I’ve found out that this is not the case.
What Causes the Service Power Steering Fault on a Cruze?
Now, that I have hinted that in most cases this message is not related to your steering, let’s get down to the real cause of this problem.
Here are the leading causes, listed in order of most common:
1. Bad Battery
The number one cause of the Service Power Steering Fault message on a Chevy Cruze is a bad battery.
The battery is responsible for sending power to your car’s computers and keeping everything running smoothly.
If your battery is not functioning properly, then there’s a good chance that the Service Power Steering Fault message will appear on your dashboard due to low voltage.
Chevy Cruze batteries normally last 3-5 years, when the battery fails it causes a lot of issues with the car’s electrical system.
Solution
I recommend that you get a new battery installed, preferably one that is made by an OEM manufacturer but you can also find a decent one at places like Autozone.
This will ensure that your car’s electrical system stays functional and doesn’t cause any other problems.
2. Battery Terminal Corrosion
Another common reason why the Service Power Steering Fault message will appear on your Chevy Cruze instrument cluster is due to corrosion in the battery terminal.
This can cause poor electrical connections between the car’s battery and other components, which can lead to a number of problems in your vehicle’s electrical system.
It is common for corrosion to form at the battery terminals over time, especially if the vehicle is used in areas that are exposed to humidity.
Solution
If your Chevy Cruze battery terminals are corroded, you can clean them with warm water, a wire brush, and some baking soda to remove the corrosion.
3. Loose Battery Terminals
The third common cause of the service power steering fault is loose battery terminals.
The terminals on your Cruze can become loose over time due to the vibrations from driving, which can cause the wiring to come loose from the terminals.
This can lead to your car not being able to charge its battery properly, which may cause issues with the electronics of your Cruze, including the power steering.
Solution:
Open the hood and check that the battery terminals are tight. If they are loose, tighten them with a wrench. This will solve the problem and allow your car to charge its battery properly again.
4. Faulty Negative Battery Terminal
In some cases, the negative battery terminal can get a short circuit. This can cause the voltage to flow through the terminal instead of going straight to your car’s battery.
As a result, the battery will have low voltage and that can cause the service power steering warning.
If the three above solutions don’t solve the issue, there is a possibility that the negative battery terminal is bad and needs replacing.
Solution
If the negative battery terminal has a short circuit then replacing it is the best solution. You can find a terminal at any auto parts store.
5. Bad Steering Angle Sensor:
The fifth and final possible reason why your car may be showing the service power steering warning is a bad steering angle sensor
The steering angle sensor on your Cruze is simply is responsible for measuring the angle of the wheels.
This sensor is located in the steering column of your chevy cruze, when this sensor goes bad it will show the service power steering fault on your dash.
If the battery and terminals are good then my best bet is on the steering angle sensor.
Solution
If the SAS is faulty then you will need to get it replaced, fortunately, it is relatively inexpensive and easy to replace.
Additional Sources:
https://www.harechevy.com/2017-chevy-cruze-battery.html
https://pedalcommander.com/blogs/garage/bad-battery-problems