2013 Fusion - Power steering issues

[microsnakey]

I am hoping that one of you guys can help me diagnose an issue that I am having.

I have a 2013 Ford fusion Hybrid which is has been having some issues with the power steering.

This first occurred a couple months ago. The symptoms are you are driving and you get a steering fault service now fault on the dash, but the power steering continues to work. When you turn it off and on again the power steering wont work and you get an additional error on the dash. There is a Friction like noise when steering see https://youtube.com/shorts/UXsNlYbQmKc?feature=share which can be heard outside and inside, its louder outside and I cant isolate where it is coming from

The codes are as following .

 

DTCs in ABS:

• ABS DTC U0420:86-AB=== Code: U0420 - Invalid Data Received from Power Steering Control Module 'A'

• ABS DTC U0420:00-AB=== Code: U0420 - Invalid Data Received from Power Steering Control Module 'A'

 

DTCs in PSCM:

 

 

• PSCM DTC U0415:00-08=== Code: U0415 - Invalid Data Received from Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Control Module 'A'

• PSCM DTC C102D:00-8A=== Code: C102D - High Friction Inside Power Steering

 

If I clear the code C102D then the power steering works fine again, sometimes for 2 miles of driving and sometimes for like 600 miles but eventually it will happen again

 

Some things that may help narrow down the issue

 

• We had new wheels and an alignment, then traveled like 2000 miles to the other side of the country then the issue started, I noticed a clunk when on full turn after the alignment but it went away
• We found a mouse in a car and caught it with a mouse trap, he chewed his way through the air vents to the cabin, not sure if he chewed on anything.
• When we were in a hotter and humid location it barely happened (could just be coincidence)
• I know the ford fusion has the power steering recall with the bolts, but ours doesn't fall into the recall notice.

 

Any ideas what it could be, I am hoping not the Electric power steering unit itself as that's expensive.

[WKelley]

Jack it up in the air and see if the noise changes.  To me it sounds like something is coming undone in the steering motor.