[xsever]

Howdy gents,

Went for a ride today and halfway through I started feeling the handlebars stuttering so I stopped and indeed the handlebars/steering would stutter at a standstill as I barely tried to steer. As if the DPS was twitching.

I turned the ATV off and removed the front inner fenders to see if the DPS motor was too hot but no. It was warm but nothing alarming.

All connections were strong.

I continued on and could feel the twitching getting worse until I started feeling that the DPS was fighting my inputs.

A bit later, I got the Check DPS warning, the check engine light came on and I lost power steering.

If I turn off the ATV and turn it back on, the check engine light and error message disappear until I drive it a bit and I wrestle with the DPS a bit before they come back on and I lose power steering again.

I checked the battery voltage and it's 12.7V while OFF and 14 while ON. I checked all the connections and they're ok.

I never ever had a warning for the DPS motor being too hot or any of that sort. This is my first problem with DPS.

Pulled the following codes using the cluster (don't have BUDS) :
U0426 - Invalid data received – immobilizer (most likely an old code and unrelated)
P0636 - Power Steering Control Circuit Lo

From what I've read, it's looking like the DPS unit at $840 😭 unless aftermarket options exist.

What do you suggest I do next?

Thanks.

 

[xsever]

For the 636 error code, the service manual says:

Internal error or damaged DPS
External troubleshooting is not possible. Replace the DPS.

😐

 

[Chief...]

Yikes, Partzilla has it for $784, that's a little bit better. Saw some used ones on ebay for around $600, but I think I would steer away from those for the price difference and just get a new one. The only other thing is if it could be rebuilt, but I haven't heard of anybody doing that.

 

[Tozguy]

Tough pill to swallow. How hard is it to steer without the DPS?

 

[Chief...]

Why you can't fix a Can Am ATV power steering unit. - YouTube Found this video that says you cannot rebuild it, because of the way the circuit board is installed, but it implies that you can change just the motor (or maybe repair the motor).

 

[xsever]

Yikes, Partzilla has it for $784, that's a little bit better. Saw some used ones on ebay for around $600, but I think I would steer away from those for the price difference and just get a new one. The only other thing is if it could be rebuilt, but I haven't heard of anybody doing that.

$840 is 784 x 1.07 tax. Partxilla is where I checked first.
@BombardierBomb installed an aftermarket unit I believe in his Maverick. Was it from @SuperATV ? How do you like it?
As for rebuilding it, here's the answer:

Tough pill to swallow. How hard is it to steer without the DPS?

Hard enough for a day of riding for me to spend however much is needed to get it fixed. 😅

I found some diagnostic flow charts in the service manual which I'll post later on and will be trying before concluding the unit is shot and needs replacement.

I also read that it could be related to a bad battery even if its voltage is ok. It could still fail a load test and result in this behavior.

 

[xsever]

Why you can't fix a Can Am ATV power steering unit. - YouTube Found this video that says you cannot rebuild it, because of the way the circuit board is installed, but it implies that you can change just the motor (or maybe repair the motor).

Beat me to it. I posted this video in my reply to you.
I don't think it's the motor because I could feel it working against me. It got plenty of torque. It's the garbage commands it's getting from the "brains" of the DPS unit that's the problem.

 

[xsever]

 

[CanAmRancher1]

Wish I could help yah more on this @xsever but usually PS issues have been battery or connection related for me. It sounds like yours pry has torque sensor issues. I woukd definitely have your battery tested for starters.

Superatv does not make PS kits for gen 2s.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[xsever]

Wish I could help yah more on this @xsever but usually PS issues have been battery or connection related for me. It sounds like yours pry has torque sensor issues. I woukd definitely have your battery tested for starters.

Superatv does not make PS kits for gen 2s.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

Yes I'm definitely starting with the easiest stuff first and testing the battery as well as following the flow charts I posted above for proper diagnostic.

Where's @Freewill and his BUDS when you need them the most? 😁

 

[Freewill]

Where's @Freewill and his BUDS when you need them the most? 😁

Come on over and we will get it hooked right up!

 

[xsever]

Come on over and we will get it hooked right up!

Joking aside, I know that the dealership here charges an arm and a leg to diagnose a machine using BUDS, so if I can't find someone that will do it affordably, I'm going to be buying my own BUDS for my uses and for a potential side gig. Lots of canam ATVs, UTVs, Skidoos, and Seadoos around here.
This is why I submitted a question in your BUDS purchase thread.

 

[Freewill]

Joking aside, I know that the dealership here charges an arm and a leg to diagnose a machine using BUDS, so if I can't find someone that will do it affordably, I'm going to be buying my own BUDS for my uses and for a potential side gig. Lots of canam ATVs, UTVs, Skidoos, and Seadoos around here.
This is why I submitted a question in your BUDS purchase thread.

Well worth it in my opinion. Will pay for itself if you charge a small fee.
Responded.

 

[xsever]

After speaking with a local ATV mechanic who happens to be an acquaintance as well, below is a list of things to try before having to pay $40 to have a guy come with BUDS to diagnose the problem:

• Check Fuse Box 2 since it has a 40 Amps DPS fuse. The box is located in front of the starter solenoid.
• Remove and inspect the electric assist motor (2 bolts) for damage or dirt or water or anything that could be cleaned.
• Follow the service manual's diagnostic flow charts I posted above.
• Load test the battery and make sure it's good.
• If all the above is inconclusive, either pay $40 to have a guy come diagnose or just bite the bullet and buy the DPS unit in the USA and have it shipped to Lebanon and then have the guy come after installation to calibrate the unit.

Feel free to comment/add to this course of action.

@Freewill If it's just $40 to access BUDS, I might refrain from buying it since I honestly barely have enough time to ride on weekends let alone to diagnose other people's machines. Anyway, we'll see about that.

 

[BombardierBomb]

Dang, @xsever I just sold the DPS motor off the parts bike, too. Somebody on eBay got a good deal.

Yeah, as Rancher stated, I learned the other day SuperATV doesn't have any PS kits for the Gen2 machines

Hoping yours hasn't checked out, but it's sure looking that way.

 

[xsever]

Dang, @xsever I just sold the DPS motor off the parts bike, too. Somebody on eBay got a good deal.

Yeah, as Rancher stated, I learned the other day SuperATV doesn't have any PS kits for the Gen2 machines

Hoping yours hasn't checked out, but it's sure looking that way.

How much did it go for on Ebay?

Yes, it's more than likely the DPS unit is toast. I called the stealership today to see if they have the DPS unit in stock and their answer was that they don't and if I were to order it, it'll cost $2,320 and will need until June 2022 to arrive. So $2,320 here versus $840 in the US!!!

The issue here is that the freight forwarded I deal with won't have a shipment coming from the US until mid- to late May. No riding until then 😭

If I were to unplug the power or ground wires from the DPS unit, would the machine act like a non-DPS one or would the steering be way more difficult due to the presence of the unit and its motor?

 

[BombardierBomb]

Pssht, like $400. Pretty sure it went to Costa Rica based on the sellers user name and Miami shipping address (I send a lot of overseas freight forwarders through Miami)

There's no way I could justify "throwing away" that extra $1500 for a dedicated/quicker shipment, bud. For where you are, I'd just spring for the new one, as opposed to taking the risk on a used one for the few hundred savings, and wait for the freight forwarder.

Pretty sure I've read of many that unplug their DPS motors and armstrong it for a short time. Give it a shot, what have ya got to lose?

 

[Freewill]

If I were to unplug the power or ground wires from the DPS unit, would the machine act like a non-DPS one or would the steering be way more difficult due to the presence of the unit and its motor?

Power steering by armstrong!

 

[xsever]

Pssht, like $400. Pretty sure it went to Costa Rica based on the sellers user name and Miami shipping address (I send a lot of overseas freight forwarders through Miami)

There's no way I could justify "throwing away" that extra $1500 for a dedicated/quicker shipment, bud. For where you are, I'd just spring for the new one, as opposed to taking the risk on a used one for the few hundred savings, and wait for the freight forwarder.

Pretty sure I've read of many that unplug their DPS motors and armstrong it for a short time. Give it a shot, what have ya got to lose?

My freight forwarder is in Miami!
Yeah no way in hell to pay the stealership this amount for a later delivery and no way in hell I'd buy a used unit given my circumstances. If I have to buy, it's going to be a brand new unit from Partzilla.
I will report back regarding the activation of DAPS (Dynamic Armstrong Power Steering) 😂

Power steering by armstrong!

DAPS for the win!

 

[SuperATV]

Yeah, as Rancher stated, I learned the other day SuperATV doesn't have any PS kits for the Gen2 machines

Yep...our PS motors just will not fit in the Gen 2 models unfortunately. No room.