For the first time, the Russian auto industry installed electric power steering on Kalina. At the first stages, it worked extremely unstably, up to a complete shutdown. Later, they tried to eliminate the shortcomings, but the EUR remained a weak link and periodically fails, as evidenced by the exclamation mark on the panel. This is evidenced by the feeling of a heavy steering wheel, and turning with one hand becomes difficult.
The principle of operation of the electric booster is to reduce the force that needs to be applied when turning the steering wheel. The Kalina electric power steering control unit uses sensors to calculate the operation of the electric motor at the current speed and torque. Thereby giving a signal of the effort with which the driver needs to be helped when turning. After all, it does not work constantly and needs adjustment, which is carried out by the block.
Symptoms of a problem
It is impossible to immediately understand why the electric power steering does not work on Kalina. However, in most cases of malfunction (EUR), a light indicating a steering wheel with an exclamation mark should light up on the instrument panel. After which, specialists from the VAZ automobile plant recommend driving at low speed to a car service center.
Why at low speed? Because in the first years of production (EUR) by the Makhachkala plant, it had the peculiarity of turning the drive wheels of the car as far as possible to the left or right and independently locking itself in this position.
The electric motor and mechanical part (EUR) rarely cause complaints, but the electrics and electronics require a detailed study of breakdowns.
How to tighten the electric power steering rack?
The appearance of a knocking sound in the operation of the electric power steering is associated with the need to tighten the steering rack.
How to do it right:
Photo gallery “Adjusting the steering rack”
Debriefing
The electronic control unit (ECU) for the electric power steering is mounted in a bad place, under the heater radiator
. Any leakage of this part causes the ECU to get wet, after which you will feel that the power steering is not working and the steering wheel has become heavy.
If while driving you notice that the tachometer or speedometer needle is at zero and does not move, rest assured that the ESD of your car is not working. This happens because these devices and (EUR) are activated from the same sensors.
Most often on Kalina, the speed sensor fails. Buying a new sensor and replacing it solves this problem. There are very often cases when replacing sensors does not help, (the electric power steering) still does not work. Begin to methodically probe the entire chain of wires related to the system (EUR).
Due to the constant vibration of the car and poor quality of production, connecting plugs and blocks independently break electrical circuits at the most inopportune moment.
Kalina's power steering behaves poorly during on-board voltage fluctuations
. If an old generator produces less than 30 volts instead of 15 volts, then the electronic control unit of the power steering may also refuse to work.
If you broke down on the way
In recent years, the production of Lada Kalina cars (ECU) of domestic production was replaced with Korean ones. The kind they put on Hyundai cars. After that, power steering failures became significantly less frequent. But they started installing Korean blocks
. And how many thousands of Kalinas travel all over the roads, with old electronics?
Our advice to you is, at the first opportunity, change the electronic control unit on your car to a modern one, you will be healthier.
Electric power steering for modern cars has already become an integral part of them. On the Russian market it was first installed on the Lada Kalina ( VAZ 1118 ). The electric booster added both a lot of positive emotions and a lot of negative ones. Failure of this unit occurs quite often on the first samples. Our guest today was no exception - a car from the Lada Kalina family (Fig. 1).
Location of contacts on the blocks
Block X1: 1. “Plus” from the battery (12V); 2. “Minus” from the battery. Block X2: 1. Ignition switch (“plus” from the terminal); 2. Signal input (tachometer); 3. Signal input (speed sensor); 4. Output (EMURU status indicator); 5. K-line output (diagnostic block); 6. L-line output (free); 7. General (mass); 8. Technological output (free). Block X3: motor phases: A. (1 and 2) – phase A; B. (1 and 2) – B; C. (1 and 2) – C. Block X4: torque sensor ESD “Kalina”: 1. Common wire 1; 2. General 2; 3. Power contact; 4. Output 1; 5. Output 2; 6. Frequency signal input terminal. Block X5: rotor position sensor: 1. General; 2. Phase A output; 3. Phase B output; 4. Phase C output; 5. Power (+ 5V). The electromechanical power steering installed on the Kalina can operate in the following modes: • Self-test • Compensation • Failure • Ready
What does Kalina's power steering consist of?
This unit is an independent device included in the steering mechanism of the Lada Kalina. It allows the driver to turn the steering wheel without much effort, and also ensures softness and smooth operation of the moving parts of the steering system.
Structurally, this mechanism cannot be classified as complex units. The electric power steering has the following parts:
- electric motor;
- gear unit;
- control module;
- sensors that monitor the torque, speed and number of revolutions made by the crankshaft.
The Lada Kalina on-board controller continuously monitors the functioning of this amplifier and controls its operation, but malfunctions do occur and many car owners are very interested in how to eliminate them. The mechanism is activated at engine speeds of 400 rpm. When the speed exceeds 60 km per hour, the electric booster stops functioning. This is done for the sake of safety, because at high speeds the driver must have confident feedback on the steering wheel, which a “light” steering wheel is not able to provide. With increasing speed, a gradual decrease in the magnitude of the force in the mechanism is observed.
LADA Kalina Cross in the “Unique Outback” (introductory post)
We didn’t wait for the “war paint” and the official start; it’s time to talk about the behavior of the car and its characteristics.
03. Here's how this car differs from the first version of Kalina (9 photos are clickable, friends):
05. What does the manufacturer offer in terms of comfort: - noise insulation (excellent, no complaints so far) - electric heating of exterior mirrors - electric power steering (although the first Kalina is easier to control) - height adjustment of the front seat belts - climate system - heated front seats - electric windows of the front doors - light tinting of the windows - height-adjustable steering column - audio system (FM, USB, SD card, Bluetooth, Hands free), external antenna, 4 speakers - central locking with remote control - cabin air filter (photo on the left - mirror Kalina Cross, on the right – just Kalina)
EUR malfunctions and their diagnosis
Despite the simplicity of the design of the unit we are considering, if the need for repair arises, it is difficult to carry out; there are different malfunctions and the methods of elimination are often complex. An important “aggravating” circumstance is the poor location of the mechanism. The manufacturer placed this module directly under the radiator of the LADA Kalina interior heating circuit.
Operation in cold weather has a temperature effect on the electric power steering. Over time, this factor causes malfunctions in the amplifier. This phenomenon is very common for Lada Kalina. If a unit fails, the driver immediately feels it becomes more difficult to control the car at low speeds. The most common factors leading to electrical amplifier malfunctions can be grouped into the following areas:
- the speed sensor “does not respond” and does not send signals to the ECU;
- the on-board network “suffers” from low voltage;
- the maximum speed has exceeded the permissible limit;
- The control module has become unusable.
The identified malfunctions and solutions will be discussed below. When the ignition is turned on, the ECU independently diagnoses the amplifier system for possible failures and malfunctions. If there is no signal from any of the sensors, the on-board controller automatically identifies this sensor as faulty, and the corresponding lamp on the display on the front panel of the cabin immediately lights up. This indicator looks like a steering wheel with an exclamation mark and is highlighted in orange.
The need to replace the electric power steering and the importance of a qualified approach
Replacing the electric power steering should only be done by experienced craftsmen, and if the warranty period for the Lada Kalina has not yet expired, then the best solution would be to contact the dealer network to solve the problem. If the warranty has expired, and it is difficult to collect additional material resources for qualified repair of the device, then the way out of this situation is to install the electric power steering yourself.
It should be taken into account that this procedure is quite complicated. Therefore, it is not worth carrying out without certain training and technical skills. The result of unskilled actions can be not only a complete failure of the system, but also more complex and expensive repairs. Therefore, the installation of the EUR should be done only after studying all the details and features of the vehicle’s networks.
In such a situation, the device connection diagram will become an indispensable assistant and will allow you to perform the necessary actions more clearly.
To remove a faulty electric booster, it is necessary to partially disassemble the panel located under the steering wheel and disconnect all the wires going to the device. Installing a new type of electric power steering may not be necessary, since the likelihood is quite high that after carrying out some preventive measures, the old device will work no worse than the new one.
One of the most common problems of this type is a knocking sound in the electric power steering, accompanied by a squeaking sound when the wheel itself is turned. In such a situation, EUR lubricant can solve the problem. If this step does not help, then the device requires more detailed diagnostics or complete replacement.
Installing the EUR requires some care. All wires must be connected, the device itself must be installed in its proper place, and the steering column panel must be reassembled.
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