JTS09

I cleaned the connectors on my '04 and my steering worked for about a week. When I was cleaning the connectors, I noticed that the ground connector (White connector to the battery ground terminal) was the only one that was noticeably dirty. I went back today and thoroughly cleaned the ground connector and my power steering returned. I'll report on the results.

MrRogers

my power steering went out 4 days after i purchased my 8. read through this and it works beautifully now. thanks man keep up the good work

Tizop

Hey! I just wanted to stop by and say I followed the DIY, and my power steering works again! Thank you!

dmazda

https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/...-pics-dsc06546



Having trouble with my PS. I was following your tread. The green/Grey connector was laying in unplugged in the engine bay. When I went to find the area the male plug should have been it was missing!!!!! This green/ grey connector is connected to my intake pipe with another connector on top I have the racing beat intake.. 10 days before I had the car at the dealer, finally the clutch pedal snapped. I told the dealer to check the plugs and coils while they were fixing the clutch pedal. They said the coils/ plugs were fine. I changed them today anyway. Anyway I found a loose plug wire after they worked on the car and now this connector was left unplugged. I know there is a good chance they unplugged to access the coils. I am calling them tomorrow and I will be expecting a answers why this connector was left unplugged. Anyway my power steering still is barley working. I'm pretty sure its because of this connector. Anyone know what this connector does?

JTS09

Since my last post, my PS has remained intermittent. After working on the harness connections, it would work for a few days or a week then fail. In my case the problem seems to be the torque sensor connector (3-wire connector at the top of the radiator.

I did the following and my PS has been operating for over a month without incident.

- I cleaned the connector as previously described in this thread
- Before re-connecting the harness, I used a pair of needle-nosed pliers to make a "V" bend on the male prongs of the connector. I made slight bend as far back in the connector as I could easily reach, then another bend in the opposite direction and a final bend to leave a straight section to mate with the female connector.
- After re-installing the hardness, I wrapped the connector with electrical tape to reduce the possibility of water entering the connector.
- I used wire ties to hold the torque sensor connector & power connector securely in place. Since they are next to each other, I used wire ties to hold them together.

Scott2601r

I also have two connectors that go to the intake. I have the big black one that goes to the MAF and then I have a small green one that does not go to anything. It never has and even has a place to hang it on the stock intake. I do not know what it is for, but my 8 is working fine without it.

Karack

IMO it's best to just eliminate the grey 3 pin connector at the top of the radiator and make that connection solid with the rest of the harness. the connection issues usually persists even through cleaning.

Ethan Melamed

Followed a different diy that only said to clean the two connectors near the radiator. It didn't do anything. Then I found this diy, cleaned all 5 connectors and the steering is working great now. Thanks a lot. And thanks especially for the tip about the zip tie on the bottom connector

OurRx8

Thanks for posting this one... I did it to mine just now (got no clue from cars since I'm a female n did some on it the first time) and it worked perfectly fine. My power steering is working after it started tripping. It went out after it never had issues and then started tripping like one time it was on n the other time starting the car it was off

With the pictures it made it seriously simple I would say anybody without any know how could do this with this post.

Ibroflowu

hello, I just fixed my steering rack and after going through so much putting this car together the power steering still doesn't work. so am planning to use these techniques this weekend and get it done. I have no problem taking the intake out..problem is with the electrical stuff. All I have to do is find those plugs you mentioned and spray them with the cleaner is that right? Do I need both cleaners?

Ethan Melamed

If you replaced the rack and it still doesn't work I'd say there's a good chance that it's just the u-joint sticking. That's what happened to me, it was $450 (canadian $) at the dealer to replace the ujoint and that includes an hour for inspection

Ibroflowu

I followed the instructions to the letter...my power steering is still not functioning, so I was wondering do I have to drive if for a couple of miles before it kicks in or its suppose to work right after I clean and grease the connectors? the steering light is still on and whatever it is I did clearly didn't work unlike everybody else here. I need help and hints guys.

JTS09

If you have changed the mechanical parts and by default the Torque Sensor, I'd say that your problem is in the electrical connections. If you haven't seen the post "Power steering connector cleaning with pics" in the DYI section, I'd suggest you start there. That post does an excellent job of showing the connectors & locations.

You should also check the connector in the Engine Control Module box (located directly behind the passenger side headlight) to the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM). The 3 pronged connector under the air box goes to the ECM box. Some have fixed their problem by running a set of wires to bypass the existing harness to the ECM box. I have also seen posts saying that the PSCM had to be replaced.

Ethan Melamed

If the light is on then I believe you can confidently rule out the u-joint. you have 5 connectors, check out the post JTS09 mentioned for details

Ibroflowu

Thanks guys I ll check the the connector in the engine control module box( Don't really know what that is) but I ll see what happens, I have already cleaned out all five connectors in JTS09's first post. will update you guys. I just dont want to take the car to someone that will charge me another 300/400 bucks.Thanks again .

jonny_d

Just wanted to post that I followed these instructions about a month and a half or two ago and haven't had a recurrence of the dreaded PS light since. Thanks Tampa1stRotor!

Ibroflowu

Does anyone here live in Chicago that can help me, m the only one whose problem still ain't fixed. I ll pay about $150 if anyone is interested.the steering light is still on and still no power steering

Ibroflowu

Or if you guys know any shop that can fix the electrical problems. cos the Indiana Mazda dealership wants 2800 to fix it.any ideas guys?

judith_lalo1030

How about some other type of cleaning spray?

atomicode

Performed this today after my PS warning light went on this morning. Drove home a short distance and stopped the car for awhile. Read the DIY and then started the car up and the light was off and steering was fine, so I went to Autozone to pick up the cleaner and grease. Followed the DIY which turned out to be easier than I expected. Hardest part is just getting the connectors apart to clean them. My connectors didn't appear very dirty other than the white one near the battery. All the others looked very clean. Started the car back up and drove it around for a few miles with no issues. Hope this did the trick.

Christopher Baughman

Ok, someone please help.

My car has an issue where it will sorta of jerk the wheel when i start each day. Like i will be backing out of my drive, and turn the wheel right to back up. When i go to turn it back to the left it turns itself all the way left on me. It will also start to jerk when i try and change lanes or turn now. It feels like i have no power streering, then i do, and it fights me.

Today i pulled into a parking spot and was annoyed so i tested the turning of the wheel. It fought me some, then started violently jerking and turned all the way left and kept shaking. It like my cars possesed. Im not sure where to start. I tried to disconnect the two below the air box yesterday. Which i did. I didnt use grease or anything, just cleaned them out well with qtips and a rag.

Please help? Will this guide fix this?, or is this a different issue from the regular power steering issue listed this for?

teknowlogy

Cutting this plug and solder the wire, do not worry lowest there another plug for disassembly.

Harlan

iTrader: (3)

Don't cut the plug, just use a screwdriver and pull it apart then solider the pins. The problem seems to be contact at the crimps and that's solved by flowing a little solider. I haven't had a single problem since I did it.

Oh and if PS is fighting you I'd remove the 60amp fuse until it's fixed. That's just an accident waiting to happen.

Ibroflowu

Do you guys know anything about ECPS? that's what the mazda car dealership told me i have to change. they said thats "possibly" whats wrong and am going to have to pay $1400 to change it for my PS to work. where else can i get that Module ?

JTS09

Have you disconnected the battery? If so, did you reset the PS?