I have started a new thread on this problem.

I initially thought that I had a Magnasteer problem but now I am not sure.

First of all, "there are no codes set". Two Dealers have looked at this with their Tech II's. I have had the pump tested, the fluid changed, and the belt replaced.

The car steers hard at low speeds and parking. I pulled the connector off of the rack and measured 2.7 ohms pin to pin and infinity from each pin to ground.

I left the connector undone and the car was much harder to steer. It felt like I had two flat tires. Hooked the connector back up and the steering got better but still harder than it should be.

The bottom line is everything checks out but the car is still steering hard at low speeds.

WELL it has been awhile and after spending a lot of money with the Dealer checking out the power steering, I have come to the following conclusions.

I had new tires put on the car yesterday and today I had a full alignment done. The car drive much better but in my estimation a little harder than a non Z06. I believe that the Z06 is set up a little firmer. I also siscovered that the Front TOE on the left was off, 0.40 the right was 0.00 the final setting was both at 0.00.

This is not my first C5 and I did not have this problem with the other four!

 

The only real way to evaluate if the EBCM is doing it's job, it's to monitor the current flow through the magnasteer coil. The EBCM increases the current flow, which intensifies the magnetic field, and makes the wheel harder to turn. You would have to know what the baseline value is(easy turning of the wheel), and measure yours against that. If the current measured is good, then that only leaves the rack.

 

I received a prior response that backs up your analogy. It also stated that the EBCM feeds current to the Magnasteer coil which in turn firms up the steering. If this is the case, and the fact that my steering is always firm, this would mean that the EBCM is putting out too much current at low or no speed. This however can not be the case as the steering is even harder when the EBCM is disconnected.

At lower speeds, the regular Hydraulic's should be in play. I plan on taking it back in after the Holidays and having the Dealer remove the "new" fluid that they installed. It made matters worse. I can also have him check the settings with the Tech II. Another Forum member mentioned that the firmness can be changed via the Tech II.

Thanks for your input.

 

"that the firmness can be changed via the Tech II".
Can you explain. I am having the same problems with my 99 coupe. If possible I would like to resolve the problem myself. When I am on the road I don't have the same problem as I do at low speeds and parking. I have the same problem turning left and right in the drive as I maneuver to head out. Sure would like to get it fixed and on my own if possible.
Thanks,
Bill

 

I would like to know more about his as well.

 

There WAS an ability to change steering feel.
If you know which version to use, you can do it.
However, you must use the system within Tech 2 calibrations in order to do it.
This is the same for the IPC voltage calibration that is available

http://corvettemechanic.com/forum/46...agnasteer.html

Might try the C4C5Specialist.....

 

You said you had the power steering pump check out. Are you sure it is an OE pump? Here's why I ask: Many guys who track C5's have trouble with the power steering pump. It tends to fail. There's a company called Turn One High Performance Steering Systems here in Michigan which makes power steering pumps for track guys. I believe they adjust the pressure a bit so it doesn't go into bypass so much at high RPM (you'd have to talk to them to find out the real details on what they do). However, this pump does make it harder to turn the steering wheel at low engine RPM, like when in a parking lot. So, any chance you have one their power steering pumps in your car?

Even if you are sure you have a stock pump, you might want to give them a call. They rebuild power steering racks and may have some useful ideas. Here's their web site: http://www.turnone-steering.com/index.html

 

It appears it is a secret.......shhhhhh

 

Sorry I have not responded, been out of town.I can call them and get some info on checking their pump. The car has 16K miles on it and I know that the belt was original. I have a sneaky feeling that the car was tracked due to the amount of road rash. I had a 01 and put 38K on it with almost no road rash.

I just looked at the pump as much as I could see and it told me nothing. It is too cold to fool with it now! Thanks for the tip.

 

I want to thank you all for the input. I think that my next step is to try and trace the car ownership back and get a History if possible. The engine compartment looks clean matching the low miles when I got it but the car was lowered, has excessive road rash for the miles, and I also noticed a patched hole inside the right fender where there was apparently something passed through.

The car runs great, it is just hard to steer at lower speeds!

 

I looked back at my old thread "Magnasteer Problem". The member that mentioned setting the firmness with the Tech II was "seoulbrooks". He said that there were 3 settings Factory, Firm, and Firmer for track use. I may have assumed that the Tech knew this but perhaps not. The Tech I am using works at the Cadillac Dealer but is very familiar with Vettes. At the moment, I am tracking down previous owners to see if adjustments were made.

If magnasteer firms up the steering, why does the steering get harder when I unplug it? I don't know about your car but mine feels way too firm pulling out of my garage or parking it. i have had 3 other C5's so I know how they should feel.

 

Caught up on your old thread and this one. Has anybody checked for a high resistance short to ground in the wiring going from the EBCM to the VES? The DTC checks for shorts or opens but it may not be able to detect a high resistance short which is shunting some of the current to ground. A high resistance short could be caused by a crushed harness where the insulation has been opened and the wire is touching the frame of the car through a layer of dirt.

One other question. Does the steering effort on the highway feel lighter than usual?

Bill

 

There is only a short wire with two leads going to the VES I measured 2.7 ohms across the VES and infinity from either wire to ground. The car feels normal at highway speeds. When I just pulled the connector from the EBCM to the VES, it felt like I had two flat tires. When it gets warmer, I can hook it up and check out the current to the VES.

I talked to Tech support at turnone steering and He suggested the I rev the engine to 3500 RPM and see if the steering gets easier. If it does that indicates a pump flow problem. He also suggested checking the intermediate shaft for binding.

I will repost my findings when the weather improves down here!

 

You cannot simulate a low speed condition, by pulling the connector. The EBCM provides a negative current to the actuator at low speed. There is no current flow at a medium speed, so the steering is hydraulic only. My guess is, if you drive the car at 40 mph, with the connector disconnected.....the steering will feel normal.