Steering Issues

[jayturk99]

Happy T'giving to all. This is an awesome site, it has been very cost effective in helping me maintain my car. I'm looking for help again. I have a 1995 Q, at first it had some issues with the steering, was told it was the rack and pinion. I ordered a remanufactured rack and had it installed. I have also had a problem with the odometer not counting mileage accurately. I replaced the instrument cluster, it added 30k miles, but it worked. When I put the instrument cluster in, it had a "worn brake pads" warning. I put the original cluster back in and the odometer was working. I drove the car and noticed when the odometer stopped counting, the steering would get stiff. I took the cluster out and swapped out the odometers. Reinstalled the cluster, no warning lights . I am still having problems with the steering. It will drive perfectly on my way to work and then on the way home it starts to get stiff. if I stop and restart, its back to normal. While driving, I can almost feel when it is about to get stiff. On curves, it feels as though the belt is loose because it has a jerking feel to it, but it doesn't happen on every turn. Anyone with similar problems, please chime in. Thanks.

[youngq45r]

I had the same prob with the steering on my 93. never found out what was wrong cuz i got t-boned. car's sitting in my garage almost back together. most of the time the steering was fine, then i would idle down to pull into a parking spot when i would lose it. replaced the pressure switch on the rack, didnt do anything. belt was good and tight. could never figure it out. anybody know a way to put a pressure tester on the lines? I think that's the next step.

[maxnix]

If you are not a wrench on kind of guy, might consider a trip to Q45 heaven at T-3 for an accurate assessment for a preventative maintenance path rather than waiting unitl systems fail and have to be replaced, which becomes very expensive quickly.

[bigdog76]

Replaced my instrument cluster and it solved the problem on the steering issue.Worn brake pads light.Disconnect this by putting a wire in #17 terminal and then ground it out to a bolt and it will disappear for ever useless anyways. Check pads on tire rotation for proper brake pad replacement.

[Infinitiguy19]

I think the problem may have been the speed sensor on the transmission giving a faulty reading.

But glad that worked out for you, But I would really like to know what the probelm was, Just so you didn't fix a "Symptom".

[pahrding]

When your power steering gets stiff are the speedometer and the trip meterstill working. If not it's probably caused by the speed sensor working itself loose and not making proper contact. Often it will correct itself, but the problem will return every now and again. Look for it at the rear of your transmission - you will see some wires going into a cylinder shaped object about 1" dia.

[cr506]

I am having pretty much the same problem. My odometer works fine though. It is very hard to steer. The car sat for about a week with the interior light on and the battery died. After I jumped it off the ABS light was on and the steering was absolutely fine. Once the light went off the steering was hard again. What do I do?

[elwesso]

For some reason the speed sensitive steering goes through the instrument cluster. I really think its in the cluster, most of the time that fixes it.

[cr506]

For some reason the speed sensitive steering goes through the instrument cluster. I really think its in the cluster, most of the time that fixes it.

replaced the instrument cluster today. no difference. the steering is still hard and jerky, same as before.

[cr506]

any ideas?

[Q45tech]

We have explained a hundred times that the speed sensor FIRST FEEDS a frequency to voltage convertor built into circuit board which translates drive shaft rpm to a 0> 5.0 volts dc voltage which is isolated and recreated into 5 different outputs.................... separate outputs for power steering computer, speedometer, cruise, AT, and ecu .

The power steering computer reads driveshaft speed [0>5 volts] and adjusts the ps pressure by changing the duty cycle on the rack solenoid.

20 year old advanced technology.

Failure of power steering computer, dash circuit board, speedometer assemby are common AGE and thermal stress failures resolved by replacement with new parts..........used junkyard parts may be better or worse than what you have....................why you test every junkyard car you buy and as you strip it down by substitution.

[cr506]

I did not have the option of testing parts and I don't have the money to spend on new parts for an old car. I'm just looking for some help not a reprimand.

[maxnix]

I did not have the option of testing parts and I don't have the money to spend on new parts for an old car. I'm just looking for some help not a reprimand.

What you recieved was good advice. Don't whine if you prefer to ignore it!

Sounds like you bought beyond your means.

[Infinitiguy19]

I did not have the option of testing parts and I don't have the money to spend on new parts for an old car. I'm just looking for some help not a reprimand.

Or take to the dealer or equivalent and pay them to do it, because with the Q45 you only have two options: Do it your self or have the dealer or equivalent do it.

[cr506]

No, I appreciate the advice. It may have been stated a hundred times but I have read every post I could find about steering and it was nearly always change the rack or the cluster. And believe me I did not buy above my means. The car is just not worth putting new part money into. I paid $1600 for it and we all know how much new parts for these cars cost. I just want decent steering. I just felt like I was being scolded for not reading prior posts when believe me, I have.

[Infinitiguy19]

I know how you feel but most people buy these cares because they love them or just need a cheap ride.

I once was in the same situation as you were in, I got a 1991 Q45 TCU and I put it in and shortly thereafter I noticed my steering getting stiff as a rock then I put in the old TCU and it want back to normal.

I don't know if all the components have to work together and give the same signal to each other for the steering to work or the steering goes into fail safe mode.

So really I would have someone check all these components: power steering computer, speedometer, cruise, AT, and ecu then get back to us.

there are diagnostic procedures for checking an making sure they are fine but you can also look at the boards or sometimes even the connectors and see if they are OK and not burnt or melted.

I would also look in the FSM for any diagnostic procedures for your problem.

Good Luck.