C0079Variable Effort Steering
- Generic OBD-II code · Chassis
- How the car detects it
- Covers the variable-effort (speed-sensitive) power steering function, where steering assist is high at low speed for easy parking and reduced at high speed for stability. The ABS/ESC or steering module uses vehicle speed to command the assist level through a solenoid-controlled hydraulic valve or an electric power-steering actuator. This code is set when the variable-effort actuator circuit is faulty, the commanded assist cannot be achieved, or the speed input it relies on is missing. A fault typically defaults steering to a fixed assist level and sets a warning; braking and ABS are unaffected. Because the function depends on a valid speed signal it can appear with wheel-speed or speed-signal codes. The entry follows the SAE J2012 generic definition and speed-sensitive power-steering design.
- What you may notice
- Steering effort fixed or abnormal
- Steering warning lamp or message
- Heavy steering at low speed
- Likely causes
- LikelyVariable-effort valve or actuator fault
- PossibleMissing or wrong vehicle speed input
- RareHarness or connector fault
- Repair
- Medium · Usually a job for a workshop.Typical cost: €100 – €1,200
- Related codes
Explanation from obdex (CC0), exactly as the app shows it. Guidance only; confirm with a workshop.