Power Steering Problem - R32

[GTS4-32]

Hey Guys, recently my battery died because i left my lights on so i had to jump start it, so after ive jump started the battery ever since then ive had this problem with my power steering.

now i dont know if its got to do with the jump start or if it was just a coincidence, but my power steering is now screwed, it gets really hard at times to turn a corner.

When i turn a roundabout for example itll seize up and release, its mixed. So its not like its hard the whole way round, just split moments if im making sense. Now ive checked my reservoir and its full and doesnt seem to be leaking, and my p/s fuse seems to be fine, so any information you guys can give me would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Steve.

[RBLUV]

try flushing out your powersteering fluid and fill it up again, might be some bubbles in it or something

Edited July 22, 2008 by HI2U

[GTR1993]

Dont flush it, its a waste of time, its self bleeding system.

Other then that im not sure someone else will have to give you some insight. Maby the hicas computer gone to shit creek with the jump start, but i wouldn't think so.

[Above_BAR]

the main reason for heavy steering is a leak somewhere. and considering the numerous little pieces of presumably old rubber between the diferent hard line sections scattered all over the car, including the ones back to the hicas..... ya probably leaking somwhere.

replacing old power steering lines has become a hobby of mine with my 32.... just about got them all.

[QWK32]

probably a fault with the vehical speed sensor, maybe fried it when you jump started. as i understand it, when your at idle and not going anywhere a solinoid switches the powersteering pump into a low pump mode so it doesn't bog the engine down, once you start moving it swiches the pump to full. if you speed sensor if playing up the pump wont be switching into full mode hense the heavy stearing.

try doing a ecu diagnostic and HICAS diagnostic and see if you get an error code. there is info on this in the tutorial section. or if you know someone with a consult cable get them to check for you.

[GTS4-32]

Thanks guys, ill have to run a full check with leakage in the hoses and ill suss out the diagnostic checks, thanks again guys, ill report back as soon as ive completed it.

Cheers,

Steve.

[blind_elk]

It's a voltage problem. You may well have to replace the battery.

[heller44]

My pick as well.

[GTS4-32]

but the voltage is fine on my battery, it runs at 14-15 volts when im driving, so whats it got to do with the pump? I dont get how its the battery?

[blind_elk]

The alternator is putting out too much voltage trying to re-charge the battery after starting. The HICAS ECU judges this to be a problem, and plays silly buggers with the HICAS pump.

[GTS4-32]

i see, interesting. Ill have another battery put in and see what happens, thanks.

[THENIG]

It's a voltage problem. You may well have to replace the battery.

Same thing happened to me a few weeks ago, its definitely voltage, mine turned out to be the alternator had packed it in. The HICAS solenoid was opening and closing with a lack of voltage at idle whilst driving at night with headlights and accessories on. Sounded like there was something caught around my drive shaft and slapping against the foot well but really it was the pressure building up in the lines by the pump and then and getting released sending a shock wave through the lines, it was only audible at a standstill at low revs, when i was moving it just turned into heavy-light-heavy steering as i was turning a corner. My alternator seemed to work on start-up when it was cold (14.5V i think) then stopped working after a few minutes causing rough idle, whine through the stereo and dim headlights. I ended up killing a battery a new battery in the process by dropping it below 8V for too long and it never came back even after i changed the alternator. In the process of getting a battery zapper to see if i can bring it back to life, cold winter mornings are asking alot more from the battery than usual. Its been 2 weeks with a new alternator and haven't had any steering problems which used to happen everyday.

[GTS4-32]

it wasnt the battery or the alt. I went past oh performance and they seem to believe it may be the power steering pressure sensor, so im looking at changing that to see what happens, but i cant seem to find 1. Anyone know where i can find 1?

[heller44]

I know it has been posted previously, but have you done a hicas diagnostic? What were the results?

[116.hks]

hey mate. if your alternator is overcharging for example 15volts and over it could be spiking the computer and the system is shutting down because of it saving the components in your power steering. charge rate for all vehicles should be no lower then 13.5v and 14.8v. some of these problems i've seem through my workshop are caused from an intermitted charging fault. the battery wont cause the problem as it is only a storage device, once the vehicle is running the alt runs the vehicle, not the battery. hope the helps.

[GTS4-32]

yea thanks mate, it is overcharging, because what ive realized is when i start the car the voltage sits at around 12v and the steering is perfect, as soon as i give it a rev past 3,000rpm the volts rise to about 14.5-15.0v and the steering is rough.

But another thing that happened that i found really weired is i changed my fuel pump the other day and ever since then, night time driving is great, voltage sits from 13.9-14.3 and steering is perfect but day-time driving sits at 14.5-15.0 again. Thats trippy shit.

So anyway, we've come to the conclusion that the alt needs to be changed.

Thanks for all the feedback guys.