No power steering

[boatmangc]

It never fails
When I am out of town the car must get homesick
I am in Port St Lucie Fll dealing with my hospitalized father in law
I get in the car to move it today and no power steering, fluid level is fine
I checked the fuse in the fuse box under the hood, it's fine too
I noticed some moisture behind the pump this weekend while changing the oil, but nothing alarming, not even droplets
I looked under the car this afternoon and see a few drops on the boot at the end of the rack but no drops on the driveway where it was parked.

Lost and away from home.
I have some ancient tools available.
I have been working on a lighting issue with Fastblackmerc using a Bakelite encased voltmeter (pronounced old)but I am capable,
Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.




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[justbob]

That sucks Bro. BTW, last week I had a car in here that was also wet on the end of the boot. I pulled the big end off and SPLOOSH almost a QUART of oil on the ground! But his steering worked just fine. I still ended up just replacing the rack, which is just recently obsolete.. Ford ended up finding me one local, my cost $370 IIRC

But I just can't see a loss of PS all of a sudden?? No pump noise? Perhaps the speed sensitive switch is whack?


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[justbob]

Pm sent with diagram.


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[boatmangc]

Thanks justbob
I'll dig in in the am
No pump noise, no puddle under the car, although I am bummed to hear the availability news about the rack, I wonder if it is rebuild-able?

You coming to sshs?

[sailsmen]

If the pump isn't building pressure there is no "power". The good news is the pump is only $160.

Perhpas the pump failed internally?

[boatmangc]

That's what I'm thinking too Billy
The Ford dealer doesn't have one in stock.
It has been seeping a small amount of fluid
Not even enough to be able to add fluid to it.

I spoke with a technician at the dealership today and he said the switch tells the PCM when there is pressure present at low RPMs to bump up the idle when turning the wheel in parking situations



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[martyo]

That's what I'm thinking too Billy
The Ford dealer doesn't have one in stock.
It has been seeping a small amount of fluid
Not even enough to be able to add fluid to it.

I spoke with a technician at the dealership today and he said the switch tells the PCM when there is pressure present at low RPMs to bump up the idle when turning the wheel in parking situations



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I am inclined to agree with Billy too.

It sounds like the pump is not building pressure. These pumps are far from indestructible.

[Spectragod]

I have a similar problem with a CV I owned, the VAPS module went bad, it is on the rack on the driver side. You can check the connector first, make sure it didn't come loose or have any corrosion on the connectors.

[jb513]

I had the same problem happen to me. I sprayed the heck out of every conection and the power steering pully with WD40 and after 5mins or so it came back. I also noticed that when it went out I went through a car wash that had the under the frame spray and it came back for a half hour? I think there was something that just needed a little lube and the penetrating oil spray seemed to take care of that. I know this is just a make do for now and there is an underlying problem that I will have to get into but, it got me home.

[fastblackmerc]

I had the same problem happen to me. I sprayed the heck out of every conection and the power steering pully with WD40 and after 5mins or so it came back. I also noticed that when it went out I went through a car wash that had the under the frame spray and it came back for a half hour? I think there was something that just needed a little lube and the penetrating oil spray seemed to take care of that. I know this is just a make do for now and there is an underlying problem that I will have to get into but, it got me home.

I'd use silicone dielectric grease in the connector.

[boatmangc]

It was the pump, it seems that the shop that had it off put it back on while installing thenA,uminator and didn't replace the nylon crush washer, it was screwed I at the leading edge of the fitting and my guess is the frayed ends contaminated the innards of the pump.

It's all good now.

Thanks for the input guys or is it more politically correct to say folks....