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Stiff Steering

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by KeJa16, Dec 28, 2016.

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  1. KeJa16

    KeJa16 New Member

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    I recently took my 2011 Prius in for an oil change and an alignment. When I got it back, the steering is now really tight (harder to turn) and my mileage dropped. I took it back and they said there was computer issues. (I had it at a local garage). Their computers would not clear the codes so they towed it to a nearby toyota dealership. I was told that they ran diagnostics on it and a fuse burnt out. They replaced the fuse and reset the computer system. It still feels tight to me and was wondering if anyone else has had this issue before.
     
    #1 KeJa16, Dec 28, 2016
  2. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    If a fuse burned out, does that mean the Power Steering Assist was no longer functioning, so you were back to old-fashioned manual steering?
     
    #2 fuzzy1, Dec 28, 2016
  3. KeJa16

    KeJa16 New Member

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    It sounds like the fuse blew after I took the car back and they were trying to troubleshoot the issue. The dealership diagnosed the fuse and replaced it.
     
    #3 KeJa16, Dec 28, 2016
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2016
  4. rrg

    rrg Active Member

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    You have to find the fuse and check for yourself.

    Here is the post that mentions there is a fuse that causes it to become almost manual steering when you remove it or it's blown.

    Steering "Feel" And That Beautiful Yellow #25 Fuse

    He tells how he removed the fuse and the steering went very manual.
     
    #4 rrg, Dec 28, 2016
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  5. KeJa16

    KeJa16 New Member

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    Ok. The dealership fixed the fuse and reset the system. I would hope they sent me home with that all taken care of, at least

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #5 KeJa16, Dec 28, 2016
  6. KeJa16

    KeJa16 New Member

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    Just went under the hood and noticed that both coolant tanks were low. Would this affect the steering?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #6 KeJa16, Dec 28, 2016
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    could the oil change company have accidentally let fluid out of the power steering system? i think it's electric.
     
    #7 bisco, Dec 28, 2016
  8. KeJa16

    KeJa16 New Member

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    I had that thought so we checked under the hood which is when I realized the prius does not have a power steering reservoir to fill!
     
    #8 KeJa16, Dec 28, 2016
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    something funky happened though.(n) you'd be surprised how many threads there are about going in for routine service, and coming out with a problem you've never had before.
     
    #9 bisco, Dec 28, 2016
  10. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Electric it is. No fluid involved.

    -Chap
     
    #10 ChapmanF, Dec 28, 2016
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    could be a tough problem to solve. did they let the air out of your tyres?
     
    #11 bisco, Dec 28, 2016
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