Steering column ECU Repair Costs Explained
The ECU on your steering column controls the power steering motor. If it fails you will likely lose all power steering or get a fault light that goes on and off. Knowing approximately how much a repair for this type of failure will cost will help prevent you from getting ripped off.
What the ECU Actually Does
The ECU on the steering column reads vehicle speed and the current angle of the wheel, then it alters the amount of assistance that the power steering motor is giving. Common faults include corrosion and water entering the steering column, as well as electrical faults caused by voltage spikes.
Typical UK Repair Costs
A typical cost for repairing an existing steering column ECU would be between £150 including return postage and £300 for a full repair, whereas a new OEM steering column ECU would cost between £400 and over £800 before adding on any labour. A reconditioned steering column ECU as an exchange would cost between £200 and £400 fitted.
What Pushes the Price Higher
Steering column ECU’s for newer vehicles (5 years and above) may require programming / VIN coding after repair. This is an additional labour charge to the repair cost. Some steering column ECU’s require dealer level programming using specialist tools. Be sure to ask if this is included in the quoted price for repair.
Why Repair Often Beats Replacement
The main advantage of repairing your steering column ECU is that it’s already been matched to your car. This means that there is no need for coding of the Steering Column ECU after repair and as long as the repairer does a proper bench test of the repaired Steering Column ECU before posting it back to you, you can test drive the car after refitting to make sure that it’s all working properly under load.
Questions to Ask Before You Agree
Make sure that the repairer includes the return postage in the price of the repair, the cost of a bench test and a minimum 12 months guarantee. See Citizens Advice for information on your rights when paying for car repairs, including what to do if you think the garage has charged you too much or carried out work that was not agreed. Always get at least two quotes for the repair in writing.
Knowing roughly what the repair to your Steering Column ECU should cost will help to prevent overcharging.