Notices
Series I Trouble Shooting This is the place to learn more about or discuss any issues you're having with your RX-8

Help please power steering

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 04-09-2009, 07:48 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
dvrx8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Unhappy Help please power steering

OK so my power steering light came on and the steering wheel is just stiff to turn.. i can drive it its just harder to turn then usual.. but this happened when i connected the negative part of the battery back AFTER trying to unhook the factory radio but that was not a success n i just gave up. i know i havent touched anything else besides the BATTERY... and then i turned on the car i already did the left right left and still nothing.. i havent taken it to the dealer yet but i took it somewhere i knew someone that was familiar with mazdas and they couldnt find anything wrong with it fuse is ok and connectors are ok.. whats wrong with it? ive seen other threads about taking out the connectors and cleaning them but how would i do that? pics and instuctions would be great!
Old 04-09-2009, 08:01 PM
  #2  
Grasshopper
iTrader: (1)
 
Jon316G's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Streetsboro, OH
Posts: 6,779
Likes: 0
Received 44 Likes on 33 Posts
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...power+steering

This thread has tons of information and pics.
So read through it all to get a better understanding.
Old 04-09-2009, 08:24 PM
  #3  
Certified Mazda Tech
 
teknics's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Wayne, NJ
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 6 Posts
most likely an EPS failure code, harness resistance is a common problem. considering you touched the battery terminals make sure all surfaces are shiny clean (metal bristle brush useful) and tighten them as much as possible and make sure they wont twist while bolted on, do this to both terminals.

You may also have a dirty ground in the EPS circuit.

somewhat common problem, i think your battery disconnect is just a coincidence.

kevin.
Old 04-09-2009, 08:34 PM
  #4  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
dvrx8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
teknics- would that mean i would have to take off both cables off the battery and clean it off?? should i still check the connectors and clean those to?
Old 04-09-2009, 09:46 PM
  #5  
Certified Mazda Tech
 
teknics's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Wayne, NJ
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 6 Posts
start by making sure the battery terminals are clean and free of corrosion. then go from there.

kevin.
Old 04-09-2009, 09:50 PM
  #6  
Grasshopper
iTrader: (1)
 
Jon316G's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Streetsboro, OH
Posts: 6,779
Likes: 0
Received 44 Likes on 33 Posts
Some have had luck just disconnecting the two harnesses under the air box and cleaning them with contact cleaner.
In my case, it would work for about a week and then fail again.
I used to carry contact cleaner in my trunk because it happened so frequently.

I ended up just splicing the power and torque sensor wires together:
Help please power steering-ps-harness.jpg

I added extra wire so I could have plenty of slack in case I needed to remove/get around something.
But like I said, some have had luck just cleaning it once.

Also, your coolant hose is dangling right above the harnesses (which is a likely cause of failure at the harnesses).
Some people have installed longer hoses to go under where the harnesses are.

As you can tell, many of us know about this and have experienced this first hand.
So don't think you're alone
The thread I posted above goes into great lengths on this topic.
Old 04-09-2009, 09:52 PM
  #7  
Modulated Moderator
iTrader: (3)
 
dannobre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Smallville
Posts: 13,718
Received 334 Likes on 289 Posts
Check the connectors on the top of the radiator...spray them with contact cleaner and open/close them a couple of times...

I had the connections under the ECU crap up as well...but I had the ECU cover off for quite a while
Old 04-09-2009, 09:52 PM
  #8  
Modulated Moderator
iTrader: (3)
 
dannobre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Smallville
Posts: 13,718
Received 334 Likes on 289 Posts
Check the connectors on the top of the radiator...spray them with contact cleaner and open/close them a couple of times...

I had the connections under the ECU crap up as well...but I had the ECU cover off for quite a while
Old 04-10-2009, 11:48 AM
  #9  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
dvrx8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by dannobre
Check the connectors on the top of the radiator...spray them with contact cleaner and open/close them a couple of times...

I had the connections under the ECU crap up as well...but I had the ECU cover off for quite a while

Thanks!
Old 04-10-2009, 11:56 AM
  #10  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
dvrx8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Jon316G
Some have had luck just disconnecting the two harnesses under the air box and cleaning them with contact cleaner.
In my case, it would work for about a week and then fail again.
I used to carry contact cleaner in my trunk because it happened so frequently.

I ended up just splicing the power and torque sensor wires together:
Attachment 136669

I added extra wire so I could have plenty of slack in case I needed to remove/get around something.
But like I said, some have had luck just cleaning it once.

Also, your coolant hose is dangling right above the harnesses (which is a likely cause of failure at the harnesses).
Some people have installed longer hoses to go under where the harnesses are.

As you can tell, many of us know about this and have experienced this first hand.
So don't think you're alone
The thread I posted above goes into great lengths on this topic.

Thanks guys everyone has been a big help so far!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Carbon8
RX-8's For Sale/Wanted
42
02-27-2020 08:39 AM
garethleeds
Europe For Sale/Wanted
6
11-19-2015 06:32 AM
Fickert
Series I Major Horsepower Upgrades
7
09-09-2015 01:21 PM
Tsurugi
New Member Forum
0
09-07-2015 08:27 PM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Help please power steering



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:28 PM.