Power steering failure under acceleration
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Joined: Nov 2016
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Power steering failure under acceleration
Hi guys,
I just installed my supercharger and got tuned and now my power steering fails under acceleration.
Whether it be from heavy throttle or hard braking it says " service power steering drive carefully" or something similar.
I already stripped the ground down to bare metal and re tightened. It didn't change anything.
Removing the power steering is part of the supercharger install so I already re checked all of the connections.
If I drive smoothly it never fails.
Any help is appreciated.
I just installed my supercharger and got tuned and now my power steering fails under acceleration.
Whether it be from heavy throttle or hard braking it says " service power steering drive carefully" or something similar.
I already stripped the ground down to bare metal and re tightened. It didn't change anything.
Removing the power steering is part of the supercharger install so I already re checked all of the connections.
If I drive smoothly it never fails.
Any help is appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 1,106
Power steering is a heavy current draw item so also check your battery connections and any other connection disturbed during the installation; not just those that appear directly connected to the PS unit. Any connection that was removed don't just check/tighten but actually take it off again and reinstall to make sure that it truly is making proper contact.
On edit, some connections can be checked with the help of a friend. With suspect connections put a lead from a DMM (aka volt meter) on each side of the suspect connection and wiggle/stress the connection; also have your friend turn the steering wheel to cause the PS assist to draw current. A significant voltage reading on the meter indicates there is a voltage drop across that connection which indicates a poor connection.
On edit, some connections can be checked with the help of a friend. With suspect connections put a lead from a DMM (aka volt meter) on each side of the suspect connection and wiggle/stress the connection; also have your friend turn the steering wheel to cause the PS assist to draw current. A significant voltage reading on the meter indicates there is a voltage drop across that connection which indicates a poor connection.
Last edited by NSC5; Apr 15, 2017 at 09:13 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 854
From: Daytona Beach FL
Probably due to overheating of the PS unit.
Here's a link to a thread about the Chebie solution - the first post has a link to a .pdf file that shows chopping up a C6 Z06 rear brake duct to adapt it as a vent for the PS:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ails-here.html
And here are a couple threads with DIY solutions.
Scroll down to post# 7 in the thread below for one DIY method:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-at-track.html
And below is a link to post# 40 in another thread for a different DIY way to vent air to the PS motor:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1590444388
.
Here's a link to a thread about the Chebie solution - the first post has a link to a .pdf file that shows chopping up a C6 Z06 rear brake duct to adapt it as a vent for the PS:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ails-here.html
And here are a couple threads with DIY solutions.
Scroll down to post# 7 in the thread below for one DIY method:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-at-track.html
And below is a link to post# 40 in another thread for a different DIY way to vent air to the PS motor:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1590444388
.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
Check the power side. But usually intermittent issues are due to 3 things:
1. Bad Ground Connection (the stud can have an intermittent connection, which you checked)
2. Voltage Issues (if voltage drops under 9 volts it will basically have no assist as it ramps out to keep the steering from collapsing the electrical system)
3. Temperature (the ECU shuts down assist if the temp sensor is at 100 degrees or the FET temp sensor sees 120 degrees, both of those in Celsius)
The steering system can draw up to 120 amps for short bursts (which is more than the fuse, since the fuse is a "slow burn" type) or 80 amps (if that's still the fuse size) continuously. This is why the deration (removal of assist gradually) for low voltage is highly sensitive.
1. Bad Ground Connection (the stud can have an intermittent connection, which you checked)
2. Voltage Issues (if voltage drops under 9 volts it will basically have no assist as it ramps out to keep the steering from collapsing the electrical system)
3. Temperature (the ECU shuts down assist if the temp sensor is at 100 degrees or the FET temp sensor sees 120 degrees, both of those in Celsius)
The steering system can draw up to 120 amps for short bursts (which is more than the fuse, since the fuse is a "slow burn" type) or 80 amps (if that's still the fuse size) continuously. This is why the deration (removal of assist gradually) for low voltage is highly sensitive.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 854
From: Daytona Beach FL
