Service Variable Effort Steering message

**wildman124** · 04-06-2013

Hello all,
I have been lurching here for years and can usually find an answer, but I'm kinda stumped now. I have a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT2 with 140,000 miles on it. "Service Variable Effort Steering" just showed up in the display, however no codes show up on the scan tool. I can clear the message, but it usually shows back up after I restart and drive for several miles. There are no driveability problems. It steers normal and is not harder than usual. The power steering fluid is not leaking and is filled to the appropriate line. I am comfortable doing most repairs, but I'm not sure if I need to replace the power steering pump, the rack or a sensor. How can I diagnose this problem, or should I just keep clearing the code and wait until another symptom pops up? Every search that I have done shows problems with multiple error codes and not just the "service variable effort steering" code only with no other problems.

Thank everyone.

**rperry435** · 04-06-2013

Seen this problem many times before. Odds are your magnasteer actuator is stuck. They either go and your assist is completely gone or in the full position. Since you can't feel the difference odds are that's where its at.

Perhaps it's working intermittently that's why it takes a few miles for the service light to illuminate or it just takes that long to realize the problem.

There is always the chance your ebcm is going south as well.

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