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When I'm driving at high speeds my steering tightens up as if I had no power steering. I know I have the variable speed control in my vette. But the steering becomes so tight during high speeds it takes most of my strength to turn the wheels. Frightening at times. When the vette slows down to 65 miles per hour the steering is very light and normal. But the tightness at high speeds (85) does not happen on a consistent basis.
I thought it might be the tensioner that the serpentine belt spins on. Any vette owners out there had this similar experience? Any suggestions?
I would check to see if you have any DTC set, especially in the EBCM. The EBCM controls the Magnasteer function on the car. As vehicle speed increases the Magnasteer valve allows less and less steering assistance from the power steering pump. The system uses vehicle speed (calculated from the Wheel Speed sensors) and steering input (calculated using the Steering Wheel Position sensor) to determine power assist levels.
If I had to take a guess ..... your SWPS is getting flakey .....
If you're not throwing any codes, the power steering pump is good and there is sufficient fluid in the reservoir, then the only variable I can think of since its a 1999 C5 is that you have contaminated fluid, which begs the question, "when was the last time you had the system flushed and added fresh synthentic power steering fluid?" Frankly, I would put money on a failing power steering pump. Mike