Assist Check at Road Speed

Assist Check at Road Speed

1. Check the power steering fluid level and pump belt tension.
2. Start the engine, let it warm up to normal operating temperature (the cooling fan comes on) and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock a few times to warm up the fluid.

A Install a plug
B Power Steering Speed Sensor

3. Stop the engine. To simulate speeds above 30 mph, disconnect the hoses from the power steering speed sensor and connect them to the bypass tube joint. Plug the end of the bypass tube joint.
4. Attach the spring scale to the steering wheel. With the engine idling and the car on a clean, dry floor, pull the scale as shown and read it as soon as the tyres begin to turn.

• If the scale reads a normal 50 N or more, the assist problem at high speeds is being caused by reduced power steering speed sensor output. Replace the power steering speed sensor.
• If the scale reads less than 50 N the power steering speed sensor is OK, and the problem is in the sensor feed line, the pump, or the valve body unit.
  See if the feed line is pinched or bent, check the pump.
• See General Troubleshooting.