so last night i started my car and went to back up when i backed up the steering wheel turned really easy and fast to the left i thought maybe i didnt park straight and thats why it turned so quickly while backing up but i was parked straight, then i remembered i was parked straight, i went to turn the wheel to the right and it was really hard but to the left was super easy almost like it would turn it self. so i got on to the street and i let go of the steering wheel and the car like flew to the left so i grabbed the wheel quick straightened it out, then i went to make a u-turn then it was hard to turn to the left as well, now i cant seem to turn it left or right with out putting a ton of effort in to it.

i thought maybe the fluid would be low so i looked around online to see where the Reservoir is because i couldnt find the Reservoir. but i found a site that said it had a sealed Reservoir is this correct? has anyone else had this issue? and what have they done to fix it?

The car has electrically assisted power steering. There isn't an fluid involved. The most likely reason the the connectors in the power/control cable have a little corrosion. They are located below the tray under the air box. Just disconnect/reconnect them and you should be fine.

Power steering on the 8 is electric. There's no reservoir. There's kind of a rucurring joke here about dealer routine service packages that include power steering fluid flush.

For an electrical problem, the usual starting point is fuses and connectors. Since your steering wierded out, rather than just died, I'd suspect connectors. There is a connector that's vulnerable to water damage - there are a bunch of posts from people who have had problems from coolant overflows. See if you can find those posts for a pointer to where that connector is.

Ken

Another good reset is to disconnect the battery ground for a minute, then reconnect.
The steering symbol will appear on the dash - turn 100% right, then 100% left, then turn ignition off and restart.
If you still have 'weird' symptoms after that, check the connectors or see a dealer.

S

ok cool, thanks, i will try those, also i have an 04 with 71,000 miles, would that be a warranty issue or no? as for the connector below the tray under the air box, which air box are you speaking of? the air filter box? it has been raining the last couple days where i live.

which air box are you speaking of? the air filter box?

Correct.
The air filter box for the intake.

ok cool, i have k&n intake in the car, would it be possible for someone to take a picture of the connector for me and post it on here? not sure which connector it is.

would it be possible for someone to take a picture of the connector for me and post it on here? not sure which connector it is.

This is my power steering harness that was spliced together since this was an issue with me too.
I haven't had an issue with my PS since.
This should at least give you a general idea where its at.
There are two harnesses, one for the torque sensor and one for the power.
133334

ah ok, so do i need to pull the fans forward as well to get to the connector?

No.
Once you remove the airbox, they are right there in front of you.
Right above the radiator... can't miss them... only two harnesses there.

While you're in there, put a longer length of hose on the rad bottle, and run it to the bottom of the fans, so it doesn't pour antifreeze on the same place again.

S

Good idea Stealth

is it under this tray under my filter? and yeah i will do that about the hose thanks for the tip

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g22/jeremias02/filter.jpg

133335

here is my car- you can see the connector..

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r316/sublime6896/My%20RX8/Engine%20Bay/SN850080.jpg

perfect thanks

problem fixed, thanks alot guys, left tray out to incase it happens again which i hope it doesn't, i also put a longer hose and aimed it away from any connectors, (be alot better if mazda would of thought of that before) lol but yeah, thanks alot guys

wtf??? hey greddy i was just looking at your picture, is that an oil filter re-locater? how did you do that? i would love to do that, getting to the oil filter where it is stock is a pain in the ass