power steering comes and goes

[kelvin5638]

my power steering comes and goes sometimes I have it sometimes I dont and power steering pump was replaced two months ago.

[elwesso]

does it make any funny noises? how is your fluid level?

We will need some basic history on whatever is applicable to further diagnose the problem....Oh and welcome to NICO, the premier club for Q45 enthusiast worldwide... there, i snuck in my sales pitch...

[bigdog76]

Mine was doing this about 3 years ago. I read some post on hereI end up buying a used complete odometer cluster. The entire cluster I picked it up for $50 shipped.

Pain in the butt to rip out the whole dash. I installed it and that solved the problem have not had a issue since. Go figure huh?

One thing to remember. I did this during the day with daylight of course.But when night time came and everything was reinstalled I turned on the headlights and noticed one of thoses little dash lights was out on my cluster.

The next morning I had to rip that whole dash out again not fun. Make sure all lights are working.

[maxnix]

Could be belt and tensionser, could be speed sensor.

Maintenance history please.

Welcome to NICO.
Modified by maxnix at 12:09 PM 5/6/2008

[bigdog76]

Ya they told me speed sensor too I fixed that and it didnt help! But that was me.

[elwesso]

the important thing to know here is if the speedo goes out at the same time the steering goes out, and if there are any odd noises?

[kelvin5638]

yes i did notice that today that they were both out at the same time what is this?

[kelvin5638]

no funny noises and i also removed the old ps fluid and replaced with new i also noticed that the ps reservoir was filled with atf does that matter.

[kelvin5638]

just had tensioner and all belts replaced cuz the tensioner fell off cost me 860 bucks had to replace battery also included in that price.

[maxnix]

just had tensioner and all belts replaced cuz the tensioner fell off cost me 860 bucks had to replace battery also included in that price.

Wow. I hoped you got kissed too!

I am going for speed sensor. But let others chime in.

If you use ATF for PS fluid, it's good to also use a seal conditioner.

[Haitian_King]

my power steering comes and goes sometimes I have it sometimes I dont and power steering pump was replaced two months ago.

My cousin had the same issue with his Q years ago. His was a leak I believe. He had to keep refilling it with fluid. From time to time, it would go out on him and he'd have the hardest time trying to turn.

[elwesso]

Ive seen more instrument clusters cause this problem then speed sensors. Id try and find a used cluster and see if that fixes it... From what Ive seen this is more common...

You can look at the voltage of the speedo sensor. If it drops out, then you know its the sensor. If it stays fine, then you know its the cluster.

[chuy38]

have same issue. my body hooked up his gadget to the computer and said it was a speed sensor. we raised the rear end and the speed sensor looked kind of bent. Have not replaced it. Need to find out where to get one. 96 Q45t

[maxnix]

Need to find out where to get one. 96 Q45t

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

Call them.

[Q45tech]

First study the way the system works and perform tests before replacing anything.

Inside cluster there is an integrated circuit that translates the pulse from speed sensor to 0-5 volts, once speed is translated to a voltage it feeds 5 different systems and each is isolated from each other so a failure in one won't bring down the others.

Since you have 2 noticeable failures the cluster has become intermittent from solder crystalization. Replace the entire cluster from 90-93 junker Q swap your odometer into replacement cluster to maintain reading.

Even 18 year old cars require electronics skills to trouble shoot. Might as well start learning now, as it only gets worse the newer the model.