Power Steering Out after deep rain puddle

[TheNuke]

2017 G80 3.8 Live in Florida so sudden downpours and road flooding is common. A few days ago while driving in a long lasting downpour, I hit a deep puddle. Car was fine until I got home and the power steering went out (with warning light on the dash). The next day, it seemed fine again, but I didn't have to drive it so I didn't. The following day it was out again. Today it's working again. Drove it around the block...no problem.

If you haven't lost your power steering yet on these cars, trust me, when it's out Hulk Hogan couldn't turn the wheel. Now I'm nervous that this could happen again. The power steering unit is so close to the ground and there is no shroud/shield underneath it.

Scanned the codes and got these:

C1688 [0x5688]
Status: Test is inhibited by other DTC, Test has not been completed, Validated and stored in non volatile memory
============================
EPS (Electric power steering) #1EPS (Electric power steering) #1
DTCs: 2
----------------------------
C2401 [0x6401]
Status: Test is inhibited by other DTC, Validated and stored in non volatile memory, Validated fault has been present during this drive cycle
----------------------------
C1112 [0x5112]
Status: Test is inhibited by other DTC, Validated and stored in non volatile memory, Validated fault present at time of request, Validated fault has been present during this drive cycle

So my questions:
1) Any idea what the issue was? Of course, water got into something it shouldn't have. Wires and/or connectors? The PS motor itself?
2) Other than the obvious, what can I do to help prevent this from happening again? Wrap wires and connectors?

Thanks in advance. And yes, I'll try to avoid deep water...

 

[joegr]

... The power steering unit is so close to the ground and there is no shroud/shield underneath it....

There is most certainly supposed to be a shield under it. It may be too late your your current steering rack, but I would definitely get the shield and install it before the $6K replacement one gets ruined too.
Your car came with an undercover that went from the front bumper all the way back to the transmission. When you order the replacement one, get the 2018 one. It has small sub-covers for the oil filter and oil drain, so that you don't have to remove the whole cover to do an oil change. Guess someone didn't put it back after one of the oil changes.

 

[TheNuke]

I was afraid you were going to say that. The undercover is probably behind some quicky lube the previous owner used.

 

[Andyj]

Bummer. I hope the electronic steering rack is serviceable.