Intermittant loss of power steering?
Intermittant loss of power steering?
In my 91Q ,135Kmi.:No leaks , fluid level is o.k. I lose some of the assist for 5-10 seconds , and then it goes back to normal . Is there a filter , or a screen anywhere in the system ? . P.S. fluid was changed 3 years ago .Thanks.
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Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
" P.S. fluid was changed 3 years ago ." .....sounds like you are proud of the interval.......instead of power steering flushed every year.
Could be as simple as a PS pressure solenoid or a PS control module to the speed signal failing in the speedo module.
Pumps and racks rarely fail unless abused by every 3 year fluid changes. Shouldn't cost more than $1,700 or less than $200.
The FSM has great and easy to follow diagnosis proceedure.
Could be as simple as a PS pressure solenoid or a PS control module to the speed signal failing in the speedo module.
Pumps and racks rarely fail unless abused by every 3 year fluid changes. Shouldn't cost more than $1,700 or less than $200.
The FSM has great and easy to follow diagnosis proceedure.
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Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
One of the things we get out of trashed junk Q is the steering speed control module. We never change the standard pumps, and the racks usually last till the owner refuses [to pay for], to change a leaky boot or hose.
All our 6 junks are devoid of MAF, power steering control modules, climate controllers, ecu, ABS, fuel pump controllers, and wear trim items. Time to haul a few to the cemetary.......so they can become new Korean cars.
Every member should go in partners with a shop [where the carcass will be stored] for old Q and pick the common parts you haven't replaced.............your $400-$500-$600 can buy you a lot.
I got almost $3000 at retail on the last wrecked one after pay someone $200 to get my parts off and T3 made $3,000 in resales on the engine and diff, MAF, ABS, etc.Still have a spare HVAc, alternator, dash, modules, radio and speakers, ashtray, mirror, visors, left and right outside mirrors
All our 6 junks are devoid of MAF, power steering control modules, climate controllers, ecu, ABS, fuel pump controllers, and wear trim items. Time to haul a few to the cemetary.......so they can become new Korean cars.
Every member should go in partners with a shop [where the carcass will be stored] for old Q and pick the common parts you haven't replaced.............your $400-$500-$600 can buy you a lot.
I got almost $3000 at retail on the last wrecked one after pay someone $200 to get my parts off and T3 made $3,000 in resales on the engine and diff, MAF, ABS, etc.Still have a spare HVAc, alternator, dash, modules, radio and speakers, ashtray, mirror, visors, left and right outside mirrors
I'll put my money on worn out electronic controller or solenoid.
The PS in the Q is variable assist based on speed. The faster the car, the less assist. A controller the size of a deck of cards in the dash converts speed into a variable current. This current operates a control solenoid in the rack.
If the controller goes bad, the system operates at fail safe strength, a very small amount assist which would be appropriate for 130 MPH.
The PS in the Q is variable assist based on speed. The faster the car, the less assist. A controller the size of a deck of cards in the dash converts speed into a variable current. This current operates a control solenoid in the rack.
If the controller goes bad, the system operates at fail safe strength, a very small amount assist which would be appropriate for 130 MPH.
The intermitancy of the problem strongly disposes me to think it's electrical in nature.
The intermitant problems are the worst to trace down! Who wants to be under a running car shaking wires to see if the problem resurfaces?!
To solve it you have three possibilites.
1. Do what an infiniti dealer would do. Replace just about everything involved for about $1200 in parts.
2. Wait until the dying part totally fails and isolate the problem easily
3. Hunt and hunt. Set voltmeter traps and take careful notes when the problem occurs.
I suggest #3.
When it does reoccur take some notes on the circumstances. Ambient temp outside, driving time, temp inside the car. These can help narrow the field of possibilities.
If you have a voltmeter you can rig a connection to a plug in the fuse box area where the solenoid control voltage is avaliable. Keep a voltmeter handy and if the problem arises whip it out and take a reading, this will indemify or isolate the control module.
For three months I fought an very intermitant electrical problem on my Q with the transmission not wanting to shift. As ambient temps rose the problem got worse. I finally tracked itto a wire coming out of the ECU headed for the TCU. At the ECU the wire coming out was a hair loose when the ECU got warm the connection would become unreliable. I reworked the connector and the problem appears permenently solved.
The intermitant problems are the worst to trace down! Who wants to be under a running car shaking wires to see if the problem resurfaces?!
To solve it you have three possibilites.
1. Do what an infiniti dealer would do. Replace just about everything involved for about $1200 in parts.
2. Wait until the dying part totally fails and isolate the problem easily
3. Hunt and hunt. Set voltmeter traps and take careful notes when the problem occurs.
I suggest #3.
When it does reoccur take some notes on the circumstances. Ambient temp outside, driving time, temp inside the car. These can help narrow the field of possibilities.
If you have a voltmeter you can rig a connection to a plug in the fuse box area where the solenoid control voltage is avaliable. Keep a voltmeter handy and if the problem arises whip it out and take a reading, this will indemify or isolate the control module.
For three months I fought an very intermitant electrical problem on my Q with the transmission not wanting to shift. As ambient temps rose the problem got worse. I finally tracked itto a wire coming out of the ECU headed for the TCU. At the ECU the wire coming out was a hair loose when the ECU got warm the connection would become unreliable. I reworked the connector and the problem appears permenently solved.