allanstrings

My '04 6MT GT has been making noises indicating an impending air pump failure on occasional cold starts for a couple weeks, but I was too busy to really check it out thoroughly (as the air pump isn't exactly crucial for operation if you allow a proper warm-up period). This morning I was due for my regular quart of oil bump, so afterward I left the hood propped and cold started so I could verify the noise. Sure enough, the loud whistle was coming from the air pump, and then turned a bit lower tone and growled a bit. Placed my hand on the top of the pump assembly and the vibrations felt matched to the noise. After 20 seconds or so it shut off and engine sounded normal again.

So I grumble about having to either buy a replacement air pump or get a midpipe to delete it, and get in the seat. For the first time, my power steering light is on, and wheel is dead. Had to get to work, so I drove it non-powered for a total of an hour or so, with two stops and ignition restarts during the day. Light is still on and steering is still manual.

I checked all the relevant fuses and connections that I can get to, nothing is out of place, loose, or blown. Any ideas how the air pump failure could have messed with the power steering system?

Mazurfer

You're all over the air pump, so no need to discuss that. In terms of it's possible effect on the power steering........It didn't, I think it's just a coincidence.

Usual what happens to the power steering is there may have been some coolant overflow that has come out of the overflow hose and dripped directly on the power steering connectors.

Usually(and I said usually) taking those connectors apart and cleaning the contacts real good and putting it back together solves the issue.

There have been some that had to actually hard wire it and bypass the connector, but 90% of the time it's dirty contacts, 5% it's the connectors or wiring harness itself, and 5% it's actually the steering rack or the EPD module itself. So..............the odds say it's dirty connectors. The RX8 is quirky electronically and it actually could be that your battery is getting weak, it's probably not that, but it's an easy check. Oh.........and the fuse for the PS is a 60amp and located at #34 in the engine bay fuse box, so check that.

Some of us have even extended that coolant overflow hose down so that it can't possibly drip on those connectors. Mine actually runs all the way down and just barely sticks out through a slot in the under tray. Make sure it doesn't impede the fan blades in any way! Best way to get at them is to take out the airbox.


Photo courtesy of CyberPitz

laythor

clean the connectors and you should be good to go

allanstrings

I'll give it a shot tomorrow, I saw that resolution on a search, but I haven't come close to overheating and the timing of the failures had me scratching my head... I'll post the results.

Mazurfer

Doesn't have to be from overheating.
It can be moisture from anywhere. Lots of rain, driving through too deep water etc.
Did you get it straightened out yet?

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

Actually courtesy of me, but I know how those things can get handed around.

Mazurfer

Oooops! My apologies Jeff. I think I actually ran across it the other day in that other thread and realized that it had originally come from you but didn't update this one. Most times when I use others photos or pics, I try to give credit where it's due, guess I missed this one!
Well, I still wonder if he got it solved?

Anyway, since you were here and you may read this..................got any comments on what it could be other than just a coincidence?

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

lol. No sweat.
I've got hundreds of those out there, so keeping track of them is a chore.
I'm always waiting for that other shoe to drop and get another "cease and desist" letter from Bob over at Mazda publications.

I think its purely coincidence, but strange electrical relationships are not a new thing in this car, so I can't completely rule it out.

Mazurfer

True dat!

Wonder if he tried uplugging the air pump and got PS back?

allanstrings

sorry for the late results... disconnecting the air pump had no effect, and cleaning the connectors worked for all of three days, PS is dead again . I haven't had the time to take another look at the connectors yet. Given that it did work for a short time, it may just be bad a bad connection and I will have to hardwire it. Would you say I should replace the connectors? or just bypass them entirely?

ASH8

Don't want to state the Bleeding Obvious, BUT, like many things in Life when you have an issue alway START at the Source...

I.E, yours is the "Electrical" Power Steering, so go to the beginning or start...How is your Battery, new?, Old?..is this in 100% good order?..

No Coolant overflowing on wiring?
I think many have Hardwired the PS harness connectors.

Mazurfer

Yeah, should take a little more investigative work in my opinion. Should check out the battery and connections as ASH8 points out. Then if convinced battery is okay....................since it did work for a couple of days, I think I would really look at the contacts inside the connectors, clean then real good with contact cleaner, maybe even try to crimp them slightly to improve the contact. Then look at where the wire crimp into the contacts and see if there is any issue there.
I can't say if bypassing the connectors or not is a good idea, but some have done so. If you do, make sure they are soldered real good, heat shrunk real tight, and then protected from the elements.

allanstrings

ok, finally had time to tear it apart again, this time I really soaked the connectors in contact cleaner and used long sticked cotton swabs to scrub it around, then blew it clear with canned air, and repeated. Left it open to dry for a couple hours, then applied dielectric grease liberally.
Also took the opportunity to remove the two baffles in the stock airbox while I was there. Buttoned everything back up, and the PS is working properly. Time will tell how effective it will remain. I didn't have any suitable tubing to re-route the overflow from radiator tank, will have to pick some up for a little insurance against this happening again.

Have I mentioned yet today how much I love you guys?
Nearest Mazda dealer is an hour away from me and they are all idiots when it comes to the RX. Rosenthal is my closest reliable shop at 3 hours away. You saved me many hours and countless dollars chasing this issue! Thanks again!

Mazurfer

Well, you certainly did it right this time! You're right.....time will tell.
High water could've done it, or just some overflow from coolant bottle. Would extend it when you get a chance and find tubing, just for grins!

zell311@

having same problem with my EPS, but i took it to mazda they said it was my EPS module, it worked for 300 miles after that then went down again... gonna try these things tmmr or the next day!!! keep updated

Bori Rx8

Does the car leak antifreeze?

Bori Rx8

Check the ground wire that goes under the filter box.

Mazurfer

^................this is at least two threads now where you have responded to post that was at least two years old. Your first response was covered long ago in this thread. Your second has some validity, but.......WTF?
Oh.....and don't remember what the other thread was, but you gave bad info in that one.

Do you even read the threads?