Power Steering goes in and out.

[rabalam]

Hey Guys.

I have a 1991 Q45 with 160K miles. All is fine except for the power steering, which seems to work intermittently. The only related factor I know is my active suspension, which hasn't worked in over two years. Power steering has been working all that time, except for the last week when this new issues cropped up.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

[Towncivilian]

Ensure the power steering fluid is at the proper level. If the fluid is brown in color and/or smells burnt, buy a quart of synthetic automatic transmission fluid and a turkey baster. Siphon the fluid out of the reservoir with the turkey baster and fill to the proper level. Synthetic ATF will improve cold-weather performance and reduce operating temperatures of the power steering pump. Recycle the used PSF anywhere that takes engine oil.

[IThaJ0kaI]

Has your speedo been going in and out? Seems to be a problem I am having with mine.

[rabalam]

Has your speedo been going in and out? Seems to be a problem I am having with mine.

Not the Speedo, but I issues with the temp gauges not working. The controls work, I just can't see the read out. This issue comes and goes, probably due to a short somewhere.

[mattd1979]

I had an issue with my steering a few years back for the longest time. The previous owners had the steering rack replaced but it never solved the intermittent power assist. It turned out to be the steering control module. It would get so hot to the point that it would shut off and go into fail-safe until it cooled down and then the full power assist would return. I had one that I pulled from one of our other parts cars and it took care of it. I saved the old one because I was going to open it up and see if there was any weak solder joints but never got around to it. I believe the steering module is under the dash just behind the climate control.

Matt

[rabalam]

Thanks for that, Matt. It is winter in Cincinnati, so maybe it's not the heat so much as the "climate control" module area...which is giving me problems as well.

[mattd1979]

The box was getting hot regardless of the climate outside. I believe it had a week solder joint allowing for it to over heat. Have you ever noticed a wire that has electricity on it that has a weak connection will get hotter in that area as compared with a wire that has a good connection. If you have a weak solder joint that has voltage flowing across it, it will get hotter than that which has a good solid connection. Sometimes to the point that it will cause the solder to melt and the connection would be broken until the solder cools down and the process starts over again. I hope I didn't confuse you any with my explanation.

Matt

[rabalam]

Understood! Thanks again.

[Q451990]

If your climate controller display is going out, it's a completely different issue. Check out my thread here:

fix-for-1990-1993-q45-climate-controlle ... 49899.html

Heath

[oldmako]

If the belt is slipping you can experience momentary loss of psi without squeal. Check the easy stuff first.

[BCC93QT]

Pulley bearing(s) could be toasted... which would lead to slipping belts as well