after my own problem and problems of others along with various issues read about online why hasnt the rx8 power steering been addressed...ive read about people not having or experiencing radom powersteering issues

Links? The only issues with power steering I have seen on the forums were directly caused by water or dirt getting in the connector, usually during some type of engine bay work.

What issues are you reading about?

What issue? First I've heard of this.

this is the rx8 club man no the lexus club!!!!

Links? The only issues with power steering I have seen on the forums were directly caused by water or dirt getting in the connector, usually during some type of engine bay work.

What issues are you reading about?

erratic power steering, powersteering going into limp mode...when talking with galpin mazda last week they did say that my power steering was an issue but not part of a recall but they have heard about the problem...also doing research on it ive ran into posts where people have had the issue...mine actually went out while driving...

Many (including myself) have experienced power steering loss while driving.
The contacts in the connector get tarnished and power steering is gone.
Also caused by the coolant's overflow hose directed right at the connectors.
Many install a longer hose because of this.

this is also a concern I am having, after forking out $500 for a mis-diagnosis on my power steering from one dealership and another dealership telling me it's the power steering rack OR the Power steering control module AFTER replacing the wiring harness and power steering control module ........... it's a huge problem and one i would love an answer too

thinking about filing

http://www.safercar.gov/

I had power steering issue about 2 years ago on my 04 Rx8 and dealer replaced rack/pinion. Worked till about 3 months ago. Took it back to the dealer and first they said that since it had been over a year (parts are covered only 1 year), that they would need to call Mazda and see if they would cover the cost. Dealer called me back stating that Mazda would cover to replace the rack/pinion again, but not the labor. So I will need to dish out $400 in labor. And Mazda would cover about $2000.

I'm on my second rack and pinion right now and this one is failing , the first one the steering would completely fail and lock to one side or the other while driving. This one after the year time frame was up it started hesitating and either denying or forcing the turn or just a choppy hesitate all the way through. Pretty scary stuff when its random on the highway. I was told by two dealer that this part is not covered under normal warranty and I would have to fork the bill myself for a new one. Def a problem and I have heard many others that have had issues with it. Just not enough for Mazda to consider it a recall issue. I just totally disabled the motor all together and run with out power steering till I can get something figured out.

It is fairly common for the power steering to fail. It's an easy fix. Either get a new harness or redo some of the connection points. It happened randomly for me. Drove to work - all was fine. Got in to go home, and no power steering. Dealer fixed it at no cost to me.

Here's a thread about it from 2005:

http://www.rx8club.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69812

Yeah had 3 connectors replaced and made one myself still a fail on their part either way it needs to be addressed to Mazda. IMO especially after seeing this
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_gm_recall

I'm on my second rack and pinion right now and this one is failing , the first one the steering would completely fail and lock to one side or the other while driving. This one after the year time frame was up it started hesitating and either denying or forcing the turn or just a choppy hesitate all the way through. Pretty scary stuff when its random on the highway. I was told by two dealer that this part is not covered under normal warranty and I would have to fork the bill myself for a new one. Def a problem and I have heard many others that have had issues with it. Just not enough for Mazda to consider it a recall issue. I just totally disabled the motor all together and run with out power steering till I can get something figured out.

Howd u disable it?

Anyone with power steering issues, I recommend you report it here:

In the US:

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
(https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/)
In Canada:

https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/PCDB-BDPP/fc-cp.aspx?lang=eng

The more complaints received, the quicker an investigation can be done and recall issued.

---

Update:

From what my Mazda tech tells me, it's usually either one of two things:

1. The power steering harness.
2. Power Steering Rack (either the motor or torque sensor).

He says the power steering control module usually never goes bad, and either of the above two are almost always the culprit. Also if you Google what people have done to fix the problem, it's replacing either or both of the above 2 culprits.


.

Mine went out while driving but after shutting it off and turning it back on it worked again, I found it odd.

^That's how mine started. It went out all the way a few weeks later. Replaced the connections, been trouble free for a few months now.

there are people that also have issues with the power steering noise filter.

If you are experiencing issues with "lumpy" steering or maybe it is harder to turn the wheel in one direction as apposed to the other, then you may need to replace the power steering noise filter

Any solutions safely clean the tarnish from the connections?
And by safely- I mean a solution that won't dissolve the plastic.
Maybe some ammonia type solution?

Any solutions safely clean the tarnish from the connections?
And by safely- I mean a solution that won't dissolve the plastic.
Maybe some ammonia type solution?


Why clean it, just replace it.

or you could just cut the lines and solder them together or crimp them together... I just soldered my wires together a year and a half ago and never had an issue since. I also extended the overflow hose and wrapped the wires in electrical tape and shrink wrap.

On another note this issue has been addressed alot if you would search you would find different solutions to attempt to resolve the issue

Why clean it, just replace it.

I am looking for a cheaper/easier/quicker solution.
(I am either cheap, lazy, or just very "efficient")

And googling rx8 steering harness gets me nothing.

How much, and where do I get one?

I had mine ho out while messing around in a wet lot at work. Shut the car off and turned it back on, steering worked fine. I chalked it up to some kind of computer hick-up.

Apparently you are too cheap, lazy, or efficient to pick up the phone and call the dealership parts dept. They get paid to deal with geniuses, we don't

which wires do you soder together? are there wires behind the connection ontop of the steering motor if i unscrew the connection point? if that makes any sense lol

The connectors that cause trouble. Basically just wiring that together so you have the same electrical connection, just no quick disconnect.

If that doesn't make sense to you then your level of knowledge about wiring is WAY too low for you to be doing this properly. Not a bash or flame, just truth. DO NOT try doing this unless you know what you are doing.

um, duh. im tryin to explain that the connection that is giving me problems is the one on top of the steering motor, which is a quick connect yes, but it is connected to a fixed connection that screws into the motor itself. and i was askin if i unscrew that connection if there are actually wires behind it to soder. im not just goin to start rippin things apart. thanks.

Ah.

Well, you didn't actually state that. The solid wiring that was all mentioned before your post is all referring to the connector next to the fan motor under the coolant overflow, so without you clarifying it sounded like you were referring to that one.


I haven't heard of anyone messing with the connection you are referring to though, so I'm not sure if you will get an answer on that.

i did but i guess not well enough. no worries. ill try soldering the ones that usually cause the problem and see if that does the trick.

Apparently you are too cheap, lazy, or efficient to pick up the phone and call the dealership parts dept. They get paid to deal with geniuses, we don't

I stopped by the Mazda dealer and asked about the wiring harness (I don't have one in my town any more).
He did not have a clue.
Pulled up the parts diagrams on the big tv in the parts area ans asked me to find what I wanted.
The harness was not numbered.. so he did not know how to order...
He said " I think there is only one harness for the ENTIRE car".

If you have a mazda part number, please give it to me.

The tech told me that Mazda does make a solder in harness splice kit. (but if the entire ps wiring harness is just 4 feet long with four connectors - as I read on another thread here- that seems silly)

I don't have a garage, lift, and my back freezes up when under a vehicle now.
That is why I was looking for an easier fix.
This solder in splice kit would be a rather big job for me.
But go on- criticize me some more. I enjoy it.:mchase:

FWIW- the tech suggested connection detox.
I just did it - and it did not help.
Odd, because the power steering just worked one day a few weeks ago by itself, so I figured the connections were almost working.

Start reading this thread HERE (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=107481&highlight=power+steering)

Start reading this thread HERE (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=107481&highlight=power+steering)

Thanks...

I just wanted to update.

I purchased the oem mazda power steering wiring harness from http://parts.arlingtonmazda.com/ (good dealings with them before).
I had a local shop put it in when doing some other stuff (all fluids changed).
IT fixed the power steering.

Total price (parts and labor) under $200.

:Peace: