Erratic steering -Need assist.
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Central Pennsylvania
Erratic steering -Need assist.
I'm having steering problems... The steering was a little "stiff" so i changed the power steering pump [relatively cheap and easy replacement]. However, now the steering is erratic. As you turn the wheel, it seems to stiffen up and then relax as you turn (either direction). I have researched the forum and found that the variable assist steering (VAS) selenoid, and/or associated wiring, and/or GEM may be the culprit.
I did not see any obvious signs of damage to the wiring to the VAS selenoid. I did unplug it and tried to get some voltage readings from the harness. With the car running and an assistant turning the steering wheel, I did not get a reading on the volt meter.
I have a few questions to see if I can narrow this down.
1.) Should there be some sort of voltage going to the selenoid?
2.) Should the selenoid have a specific resistance (ohms) value?
3.) What is the GEM?
I greatly appreciate any help you can offer.
Thanks,
-Ed
I did not see any obvious signs of damage to the wiring to the VAS selenoid. I did unplug it and tried to get some voltage readings from the harness. With the car running and an assistant turning the steering wheel, I did not get a reading on the volt meter.
I have a few questions to see if I can narrow this down.
1.) Should there be some sort of voltage going to the selenoid?
2.) Should the selenoid have a specific resistance (ohms) value?
3.) What is the GEM?
I greatly appreciate any help you can offer.
Thanks,
-Ed
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 28,792
Likes: 11,271
From: Adelaide Stralia
Sounds like air in the system.
The early cars, and I THINK????? the change was at Vin # L86901, were a mongrel to bleed. A Ford steering rack was used. My Black car is L85213, and has the mongrel rack, and I am very careful when refreshing the p/s fluid every 6 months.
The later cars were a ZF rack, and bled simply by a lock to lock with the engine running.
I dont know answers to any of the other questions.
The early cars, and I THINK????? the change was at Vin # L86901, were a mongrel to bleed. A Ford steering rack was used. My Black car is L85213, and has the mongrel rack, and I am very careful when refreshing the p/s fluid every 6 months.
The later cars were a ZF rack, and bled simply by a lock to lock with the engine running.
I dont know answers to any of the other questions.
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,759
Likes: 1,435
From: Hazlet Township, NJ
As Grant stated if you have a Ford rack you need to vacuum bleed the system. No other way around it. Turning lock to lock will not work. There is a special adapter that sits on the top of the reservoir and you hook up a vacuum pump and bleed.
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 28,792
Likes: 11,271
From: Adelaide Stralia
HAHAHAHA.
Us one legged warriors are special, trust me. She is a keeper.
The fact its a 2000 year would be a Ford rack.
What is the last 6 of your Vin, L????? or M?????
My Black car is a 9/2000 build date, and the Vin is quite a few prior to the change Vin as I mentioned above.
Us one legged warriors are special, trust me. She is a keeper.
The fact its a 2000 year would be a Ford rack.
What is the last 6 of your Vin, L????? or M?????
My Black car is a 9/2000 build date, and the Vin is quite a few prior to the change Vin as I mentioned above.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Central Pennsylvania
Thanks a bunch guys! Fashioned a vacuum from a baby food lid and a brake bleeder. Put vacuum on and turned steering wheel back and forth a few times and voila...
Process took about 20 minutes. Now I can sell the car with confidence.
Process took about 20 minutes. Now I can sell the car with confidence.