Citroen Ds3 1.6 hdi 2013 Electric Powered steering

[Barnes2026]

Hi all, please bear with me as I’m not very mechanically minded.
I have a 2013 Citroën DS3 1.6 HDi which originally had a fault with the electric power steering. A family member (not a mechanic by trade, but experienced with working on cars) replaced the steering rack with a used unit.
Since fitting the replacement rack, the steering itself is perfect, however we now have an ABS warning light on the dashboard. When scanned, it shows fault code U1121 – Absence of communication with the electric power steering.
We understand that the replacement rack may need coding/programming to the car, but we’re struggling to find anyone locally who can do this. A local garage has looked at it, and we’ve also contacted several ECU repair/refurbishment companies to see if they could test or refurbish the original steering rack, but so far no one has been able to help.
We’ve been told that Citroën want £2,000+ to supply and code a brand-new rack, which unfortunately isn’t realistic as the car simply isn’t worth that much.
The car drives perfectly otherwise, but with the ABS light on it’s obviously an MOT failure.
At this point we’re a bit stuck and unsure where to go next.
Has anyone experienced this before, or can suggest any possible solutions (coding options, specialists, workarounds, etc.)?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[mickthemaverick]

This is only a suggestion as I cannot be sure if it is a coding problem but if it is you may be able to find a member with the diagnostic kit to help you out. If you look through the list in the link below, having read the introductory comment, you may find someone nearby who can help. Are you in Newport Wales or Newport IOW, where there is certainly a member on the list. Good luck

viewtopic.php?t=56452

[PaulC5]

This topic was on here last year and it was because the wrong steering rack had been fitted, using a used one from an older car. From memory the solution was to get the right steering rack. The used one may well have fitted mechanically but its electrics are not correct.

With the car not being up to MOT standard you should check if its insurance is still valid and if not then the car should be taken off the road until repaired.

Edit the older topic says it is for a 2015 1.6 hdi so these may not be the same cars despite the topics being very similar. viewtopic.php?t=85582 viewtopic.php?t=85402
Also reading through the topics again to the end, it was sorted by fitting the correct steering rack although again using a used one.

[Paul-R]

Are you in Newport Wales or Newport IOW,...
viewtopic.php?t=56452

There's a Newport in Shropshire as well I think.

[Elliotnina]

Hi,
I'm having this same problem atm with ESP/ABS warning lights on...and yes, citroen quoted me £2.6k for a new steering rack ( I haven't yet replaced mine as I've been told my so many ppl/ garages that that's not the problem)...I'm losing my mind...mine is a ds3 2014 diesel...no one seems to agree on what it is and to be able to actually pinpoint the issue, it's even been at citroen twice ( they say it needs a new steering rack...others say it's the ECU/ BSI This has been happening since October (since I had a air bag replacement at citroen due to the recall...apologies for commenting in your post)

[Barnes2026]

Thank you for the reply’s, we are from Newport South Wales. The second hand steering rack has the same part number as the rack that came off the car originally and off same model and year. We have noticed the same, this problem has occurred since the recall for the airbags, not sure how this may be linked mind probably a coincidence such a shame because it’s a lovely car which seems to be driving perfect (at the moment) lowish mileage the thought of having to scrap it is so sad but I won’t be spending £2600 on it.

[Elliotnina]

Hi again...same here, I kinda like this little car and didn't want to scrap it...I've tried so much, citroen have told me that it's not related to the air bag replacement but if the clock spring ( I think that's the name of it) was damaged (which is behind the steering wheel) during the replacement there's a possibility that it is related ( I've read/seen vids that the clock spring apparently are connected to the esp/abs systems...please someone correct me if I'm wrong as I ain't no mechanic...just a girl trying to learn about possibilities of fixing the problem)

[PaulC5]

It is always worth while checking the battery voltage since if low it might give this apparent fault but is false. Before the first start of the day it should be 12.7 volts if fully charged.

[Elliotnina]

Hi again..my apologies for bothering yet again..has your issue been solved? only asking because I took my car in again today...they're now saying that it is the rack ECU unit that needs replacing ( so a new one...not sure if it'll be a used part but not fixing the ECU unit that is in my car atm)...Last time I was there a few weeks ago they were sure that the BSI unit would have to be sent away to be fixed/ recoded...thank you