Sentra SE-R zero torque steer!? Help

[jefx]

I just got a 2002 Sentra SE-R. I am unfamiliar with these cars, but I was expecting some torque steer and stiff steering from my previous experience with FWD vehicles.

This car has none....and it has me worried. In fact, the steering is SOOO easy that the wheel will move if you sneeze on it. It's like this when it's parked or moving, at any speed. There is zero feedback through the steering wheel. It's like driving an old F1 arcade racing game.... just a steering wheel on a stick.

I'm not talking about deadband. The wheels turn instantly with any input from the driver, with no slop. But the steering wheel has no "return-to-center" feedback. I can turn the steering wheel in either direction, let go of it, floor the car, and it will drive in circles infinitely and never straighten out on it's own. I have to manually return the steering wheel to center under every driving situation....zero torque steer, zero bump steer.

There is no power steering whine, no pull to either direction, no shake/shimmy/vibration/clunk/NVH at any speed. just effortless steering with zero feedback....all the time.

I have scoured the web for days to find anyone who has reported these same symptoms, with no luck.

Please help. any info is appreciated.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I'd check your alignment first. If you have zero caster, you'll have no tendency to return to center.
Does the power steering pump look like its ever been replaced? It almost sounds like its way overboosted too.

[jefx]

Thanks for the feedback.

I don't know how to accurately check the caster setting, but I will look at the pump The front wheels/tires don't look as if they are sitting in a abnormal caster/camber. It drives straight as an arrow at any speed....Ive had it up to 80mph. It has brand new tires and everything looks tight in the front end.

I bought it used, one owner, and was mostly dealer maintained. The Carfax report says it was dealer inspected 15,000 miles ago with no reported issues. It currently has 81,000 miles on it.

Ive read that these cars have speed sensitive steering, but I cant find a good description of how it works. I was thinking that the sensor in charge of this feature may be stuck in parking lot mode??? But I dont even know if thats possible.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Yup, its possible.
I'm not sure about on your car, but typically there is a solenoid controlling the steering pressure. Again, I'm not sure if yours is what is considered "normally high" or "normally low", so if/when it fails, it reverts back to one system or the other.
You can look it all up in our factory service manuals if you feel like spending the time on it.
www.nicoclub.com/FSM

Also, you're probably going to need to go to an alignment shop to detect what the caster is.

[jefx]

Ok. I looked at the pump. It looks original, its the same stained alloy color as the rest of the engine components with no shiny bolts or hoses that would indicate any fairly recent work was performed to it. It has a slight oily film and dirt stuck to that film, so I'm guessing it has a minor leak, but not enough to cause dripping or even register on the reservoir as being low on fluid. The dirty/oily film looks old, so whatever minor leak it has, has been there for a while.

[jefx]

Thanks PapaSmurf. I have looked through the FSM a few days ago (and bookmarked it) while trying to find information on the speed-sensitive-steering-sensor and found no information regarding the sensor, or how to troubleshoot it. It lists a flow control valve and pressure switch on the pump, but it doesnt give any details about their functions.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Hmm. I think I've seen those switches on the pumps before (although not on a sentra). I think it's just a single blade terminal/1wire connector right on the pump. Do you see anything like that?

[jefx]

Unfortunately I didnt see that. I will look again tomorrow when the sun is up. Do you know if the sensor responsible for the speed sensitive steering is the "steering pressure switch"? Because I cant find a replacement "speed sensitive steering sensor" anywhere online. I am guessing that the "steering pressure switch" just monitors whether the pump has pressure or not to activate the MIL in case of failure.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I don't know. Like I said, I'm not even sure the Sentra has speed sensitive power steering (or at least your generation)...

[jefx]

According to cars.com http://www.cars.com/nissan/sentra/2002/ ... -equipment
speed sensing steering was standard equipment on the 2002 SE-R

[jefx]

Apparently, from everything I've read, the "steering pressure switch" (the sensor on the steering pump) is only responsible for increasing engine speed to compensate for the drag on the engine when the steering wheel is turned to full lock in either direction. Without this sensor (or if it's faulty) the engine could stall when the wheels are turned to full lock at low RPM.

According to the FSM and online parts stores inventory, the steering rack does not have a solenoid to aid in the "speed sensitive steering" system.

I am completely baffled by what system/component is responsible for the "speed sensitive steering" that is standard equipment on this car.

Does anyone have any ideas?