Power Steering doesn't work
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 66
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From: San Diego CA
Power Steering doesn't work
I'm nearly done rebuilding a wrecked 2001 Z06. I had the rack removed during the rebuilding process. Except for the high effort involved the car steers fine and there are no power steering fluid leaks. My belt isn't slipping, there's fluid in the reservior and the electrical connector to the rack and pinion is connected. The rack and pinion was damaged in the wreck - I had to have the driver's side mounting tab welded. This makes me suspect the rack but I'd like to know if there is a way to isolate the problem before I start replacing parts. I'm also thinking it's possible that I just have air in the system. The service manual outlines a bleeding process which requires a vacuum pump. If anyone has experience with this their help will be greatly appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,516
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From: Shelton CT
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Power Steering doesn't work (RennfahrerX)
HI there,
I would first suggest that you lift the front wheels off the ground, and cycle the steering wheel lock to lock, 25 times.
If there is any air in the system, most will be pushed into the reservoir.
Are there any codes in the TCS>???
Besttoyou, c4c5 :chevy
I would first suggest that you lift the front wheels off the ground, and cycle the steering wheel lock to lock, 25 times.
If there is any air in the system, most will be pushed into the reservoir.
Are there any codes in the TCS>???
Besttoyou, c4c5 :chevy
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Re: Power Steering doesn't work (C5Noir)
Thanks for the responses. I have turned the wheel back and forth 15-20 times before I posted. I will try turning the wheel back and forth again. I have TCS error code 1241 which has something to do with the Magnasteer system. Do racks that have been hit on the tie rod sometimes fail internally so that fluid cycles through but doesn't build pressure? I'm also wondering about the purpose of the 2-wire connector coming from the rack.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,516
Likes: 0
From: Shelton CT
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Power Steering doesn't work (RennfahrerX)
Hi there,
1241 indicated that your 2 wire connnection to the steering rack is either shorted, or NOT plugged in.
That 2 wire connection is for the Magnasteer magnetic coil. It is the reason for the 1241.
Now, will that cause hard steering, NO, as this will default to full power assist.
So, with this in mind, did you cycle the steering with the car running or NOT???
You should cycle with the engine off.
Please keep us posted, c45 :chevy
1241 indicated that your 2 wire connnection to the steering rack is either shorted, or NOT plugged in.
That 2 wire connection is for the Magnasteer magnetic coil. It is the reason for the 1241.
Now, will that cause hard steering, NO, as this will default to full power assist.
So, with this in mind, did you cycle the steering with the car running or NOT???
You should cycle with the engine off.
Please keep us posted, c45 :chevy
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
From: Newport Coast, CA USA
Re: Power Steering doesn't work (RennfahrerX)
I had an intermittent power steering failure on my '99. It turned out to be a sticking valve in the PS pump. I have heard of others experiencing this type of failure. The problem was finally correctly diagnosed and fixed when I lost all PS all the time...
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 66
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From: San Diego CA
Re: Power Steering doesn't work (THENAKEDi)
I have turned the steering wheel lock to lock 25 times both with the engine ON and OFF since I wasn't sure which was correct. There is still no power assist. Also, my reporting TCS error code 1241 was misleading. That was a history code which had resulted from my unplugging the connector in an attempt to troubleshoot. I cleared the code and it did not reappear. Sorry for the mislead. Maybe it's time to put a pressure gage in the system to determine whether I need a new pump or not. Is a sticking valve something that I can fix or at least confirm if I take the pump apart?
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Re: Power Steering doesn't work (THENAKEDi)
I took the high-pressure hose coming from the power steering pump off at the rack. It was easy to hold my finger over the end of the hose with the engine running. It did build some pressure. [There was plenty of fluid in the reservior]. With all hoses connected I can look in the reservior with the engine running and the fluid does not appear to be circulating. Therefore, I'm concluding that I need a new pump and will take the old one off tonight and inspect it for anything that looks out of place. I'm now wondering if damage to the rack caused the old pump to fail or if the pump was damaged in the wreck. GM pumps should last more than 7500 miles.