Hi guys anyone had any problems with steering racks on the outback, I've been told it's electric, but not sure.

I am getting a red steering wheel on the dash with a exclamation mark in the centre of it. The steering is heavy (no assist) and can only be resolved by turning the engine off and then shaking the steering wheel side to side whilst starting it again......Help please.

 

 

So if it is electric, (i don't know off the top of my head) then any number of things could cause the computer to disable the assist. Say for example if the steering angle sensor isn't working properly, the computer might disable the assist as a preventative thing for it's own safety and yours. 

When the light comes on and therefore the steering assist is disable, you should get the code read from a garage that can get into the steering module. From there you can determine your next step.

Also, if the light goes off when you shut the car off, make SURE wen you pull the car into the garage you leave it running so the computer doesn't lose that code. Otherwise they'll tell you that you need to come back when the light is on.

Cheers will do...

Where are you, sheepdipper?  Scotland?  Please add a country or state to your ID--it would help members better understand your specific needs.

As said above, if the light comes on there will usually be a code stored in the steering control module. Those should be stored and should not go away when the key is turned off, so a shop should be able to retrieve the codes regardless of whether the light is on or off at the time. 

 

With some newer vehicles any code set by any module can be accessed via CAN-OBD2 with a regular code reader, but not always. More than likely it will need to be taken to a shop, since the electronic steering system will need to be reprogrammed after replacing any of the sensors.