View Full Version : DIY: Power steering connector cleaning with pics


Tampa1stRotor
10-01-2011, 12:36 PM
I noticed there wasn't one of these with pics so I figured I would make one.

1: Disconnect Neg battery terminal (just to be safe you will be working with Di- electric grease and electrical connections and no one likes to get shocked!)

2: Remove the air intake box

3: You will need connector cleaner and di-electric grease

http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=177470&stc=1&d=1317489747


4: Locate the two connectors under the coolant reservoir, clean them, allow to dry, apply di-electric grease

http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=177471&stc=1&d=1317490177

http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=177472&stc=1&d=1317490177

5: Locate the white connector on the battery harness, clean like step 4

http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=177473&stc=1&d=1317490177

http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=177474&stc=1&d=1317490177

Tampa1stRotor
10-01-2011, 12:48 PM
6: Under the ac pulley there is a grey connector I believe this is the torque sensor, clean like step 4


http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=177475&stc=1&d=1317490903

http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=177476&stc=1&d=1317490903

7: Directly under the main pulley is the power steering motor, with a connector on it. It is a lot easier to remove the connector with the Zip tie removed, so have a replacement available. Clean like step 4


http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=177479&stc=1&d=1317490903

http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=177478&stc=1&d=1317490903

If these steps don't fix your power steering issues you more than likely will have to replace the harness.
There are two part numbers I found, F151-67-SH0A, and F151-67-SH0B, not sure which one is better

monchie
10-02-2011, 01:01 AM
Thanks for that DIY. Maybe useful someday when needed.

Citrik
11-28-2011, 01:34 AM
This was very useful to me as my power steering went out a couple of weeks ago. I followed this guide and as of now everything is working fine. So thanks a lot for this.

AkursedX
11-30-2011, 06:47 PM
This was very useful to me as my power steering went out a couple of weeks ago. I followed this guide and as of now everything is working fine. So thanks a lot for this.

Agreed. I forgot to post a thank you when my power steering went out. I followed this DIY and added a longer hose from the coolant overflow and I have been trouble-free.

Mattrst
01-02-2012, 11:15 AM
Thanks for the guide

jroge
03-15-2012, 04:20 PM
how hard would this be to do for a complete novice? my knowledge of cars is as low as it can possibly get :S

9krpmrx8
03-15-2012, 04:26 PM
how hard would this be to do for a complete novice? my knowledge of cars is as low as it can possibly get :S

Easy man, the hard part for a noob would be getting the intake box out without breaking it but look for the DIY on that or the video for it on youtube.

HiFlite999
03-15-2012, 09:13 PM
Don't forget to extend the coolant overflow hose to exit at a point lower than the connectors. Coolant blowing out onto these things is a likely cause of the corrosion problems in the first place.

jroge
03-16-2012, 07:44 AM
Thanks for quick reply guys, i drove the shop this morning only about 1.5 miles the power steering was still out, went an bought some shopping and when i got back in the light had gone off and the steering was back :S i have only had the car 3 days today it was my dads but it had been left on his path for about 6 months doing nothing :( so i had i bit of trouble getting the battery back to life it cost nearly as much in petrol to charge it as it would have to buy a new battery, a lot more fun though:P do you think this could be the electrics getting used to being used again or a faulty/ loose wire? he had had a £400 service done on it with lots of things changed on it before it was left on the path any ideas?

jroge
03-17-2012, 09:42 AM
Hi I lifted up my intake box to check if i could do it watched a video on youtube seem easy enough after i put it back the power steering came back :) so was happy but then after about 2 miles my car has lost its power and started smoking i could smell a bad burning smell :( also the petrol gage went from 1/4 to 1 notch above empty no idea what has gone wrong but am not getting back in it :( it sounds awful and drives even worse i cant think what as gone wrong as i was careful and checked everything went back the way it was :( any ideas?

R0-TaRi-x8
03-29-2012, 07:02 PM
power steering light pops up this morning....jumped right on rx-8 site....and found this great thread....followed the simple instructions..cleaned up the connectors..and BANG...everything back to normal....thumbs up...n thanx for sharing the info Tampa1strotor....

bulletproof21
04-09-2012, 01:13 PM
this fix worked for me as well....for exactly one week. Then it started acting up on me again. Ordering a new harness today.

nycgps
04-09-2012, 03:43 PM
just for the record cleaning will work as long as your connectors has seen coolant for short period of time and you already reroute everything.

i dont even bother to clean mine, cuz it has been soak in coolant for too long. i got a replacement already and will replace it when i have the time.

jroge
04-10-2012, 03:36 AM
Hi I lifted up my intake box to check if i could do it watched a video on youtube seem easy enough after i put it back the power steering came back :) so was happy but then after about 2 miles my car has lost its power and started smoking i could smell a bad burning smell :( also the petrol gage went from 1/4 to 1 notch above empty no idea what has gone wrong but am not getting back in it :( it sounds awful and drives even worse i cant think what as gone wrong as i was careful and checked everything went back the way it was :( any ideas?

Got this prOblem sorted 1 of the ignition coils had blow, still don't have my power steering fixed it comes and goes which is annoying

jroge
04-10-2012, 03:37 AM
this fix worked for me as well....for exactly one week. Then it started acting up on me again. Ordering a new harness today.

Hi pal how much was the new part an where did u get it from?

vy_MR2
05-01-2012, 09:01 AM
When I replaced the harness on my first 8, it cost 97 Canadian. Within 30 minutes, I had it changed out.

bulletproof21
05-01-2012, 09:13 AM
this fix worked for me as well....for exactly one week. Then it started acting up on me again. Ordering a new harness today.

I replaced my harness after cleaning the connector fix only lasted for one week. Well the new harness fixed the problem for exactly six days. This time I took a yard stick and poked the connectors a few times and its worked great now for 10 days so far and counting. So I have had a longer period of relief from my power steering ailment by poking the connectors with a stick than I have by either cleaning them or replacing the harness, lol. If it starts acting up again I will solder the connection and delete it.

brocke
05-08-2012, 07:20 AM
Sigh...so nice to have power steering again.