Powersteering Not Working

[daisu]

Almost completed my engine/gearbox conversion on my cefiro. I only put power steering fluid in today and found that the power steering isn't working.

The power steering and hicas was working before the conversion started. Since then I have replaced the rear subframe with a non-hicas item, removed the rear lines, the hicas solenoid, and looped the hicas supply straight into the reservoir.

I've read all the stuff I can find on power steering/hicas issues on SAU.com and NS.com

Here is a list of things that I have considered and what I've tried.

The power steering pump on the new engine is rooted?

I disconnected the lines off the pump and turned the engine on, fluid came pissing out the fittings so I'm assuming that the pump is working. I can't try my old pump (which I know works) as I don't have it anymore.

Issues with the power steering solenoid

Battery is fully charged and alternator is working, so it's not a voltage (or lack of) issue. I have a spare R32 rack (non-hicas model), and can see the solenoid is mounted on the rack next to the connection block and has 2 wires coming out of it. I can't find a solenoid like this on the cefiro rack. Do cefiros have a power steer solenoid on the rack?

I have considered swapping the R32 rack and lines in, but the R32 lines don't appear to have a pressure sensor (apparently it's an idle up for the power steer pump?).

Speed Sensor

My speedometer is working, but that is cable operated. Is there a way to test my speed sensor?

Hicas Computer

I don't know where the hicas computer is located on the cefiro. The hicas warning light was on when I didn't have fluid in the reservoir, but it has turned off since I filled it with fluid.

I jacked the front of the car up, and turned the steering wheel left to right with the engine on, to try bleed the air out, but it didn't have any effect.

I could try the R32 rack, but I don't know if it does work (it came out of my half cut) and it doesn't have that pressure switch on the supply line.

I'm assuming since the steering was working before the conversion that the problem is either electrical related (speed sensor or hicas computer?) or that the p/s pump isn't making enough pressure.

Is there a better way of testing the pump, besides disconnecting the lines to see if fluid comes out?

Would appreciate any input related to this problem,

thanks, Luke

Edited December 31, 2006 by daisu

[salad]

I reckon it could be hicas computer not plugged in. It goes heavy when it's not plugged in.

Have you checked under the parcel shelf for the computer? That's where I'm guessing it would be as that's where it is on R32s. On S13s it's supposedly in the rear left arm rest, but you have a 4dr so I'd doubt it would be in there

May sound like a stupid question but did you loop the rear outlet of the pump into the front inlet of the resevoir?

[daisu]

There are no spare plugs or computer under my parcel shelf. There is a computer behind the drivers kick panel but I'm assuming this is the auto computer, it is plugged in anyway.

I didn't think the orientation of the return lines on the reservoir would make a difference, as it is just a collector.

Can someone tell me what the hicas computer looks like, how big it is, it has 2 connectors right? How many pins are in the connectors? Is there any obvious writing on the computer?

Thanks

[salad]

Well I'm just thinking if you took off the rear return line, this is the return from the front rack, so if this isn't working, you wouldn't have power steering. Just a stab in the dark

The Hicas computer is around 180x150x40mm. One of the plugs has 2x4pins and I think the other has 2x6pins could be 2x5 though, cant remember...

Dont remember anything distinctive on the computer, just plain looking like the ECU.

[daisu]

I removed all the hicas related lines and left the front power steering completely alone. Then I had 1 spare outlet from the pump, and 1 spare inlet to the reservoir which I connected together.

Hopefully I'll find the hicas computer tomorrow.

Edited January 1, 2007 by daisu

[daisu]

I didn't end up finding the computer, so I replaced the p/s pump. It was a real pain in the arse to fit the replacement on, especially when everything is covered in p/s fluid and the sun is beating down on you in the arvo. Turns out it was the pump and not the computer or the rack (thank god for that).