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Power Steering Light

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Old 08-14-2011, 06:30 PM
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Exclamation Power Steering Light

Hey guys, I haven't had a single problem with steering or anything. I stopped at the store, turned car off, after having been run for like a half hour of driving, went it for 5 minutes, came back out and the power steering light was on, was a real workout just to make it home. Any ideas on what this is? Seems kind of odd that it went from 100% to 0 in a split second, without moving.
Old 08-14-2011, 06:38 PM
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Yes, do a search on power steering. Cleaning the connectors sometimes solves the issue.
But, sometimes it comes down to replacing the harness.
Have you had any coolant overflow?
What usually happens is overflow gets on the connectors and corrodes or gets the contacts all cruddy.

Here's 4 pics to help you locate them.
They are located below the battery box, just about right where the overflow tube is sending any overflow.
Attached Thumbnails Power Steering Light-power_steering-connectors1.jpg   Power Steering Light-power_steering-connectors.jpg   Power Steering Light-power_steering_connectors1.jpg   Power Steering Light-power_steering_connectors.jpg  

Last edited by Mazurfer; 08-14-2011 at 06:42 PM.
Old 08-14-2011, 06:39 PM
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You might have accidentally pressed the DSC button...check that out.
Old 08-14-2011, 06:42 PM
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i read a lot about the connectors, is it labeled under the hood? i'm sure i can find it, don't really have a diagram, haven't had the car long enough to get into anything.
Old 08-14-2011, 06:43 PM
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See my post above, I was attaching the pictures and it took a second or two.
Old 08-14-2011, 06:45 PM
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Originally Posted by monchie
You might have accidentally pressed the DSC button...check that out.
^....another brainfart????
Old 08-14-2011, 06:47 PM
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appreciate the help
Old 08-14-2011, 06:51 PM
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I believe there is a DIY in the DIY section with more info about how to get at them if your not mechanically inclined.
If you are, then go for it! You'll be at them in no time at all.
Just use some good electrical contact cleaner and clean up the contacts real good.
Old 08-14-2011, 08:42 PM
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I got it all done, cleaned the connector down below too, got a longer hose for the overflow as well...hopefully that'll be out of my hair now.
Old 08-15-2011, 06:32 AM
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Could you tell if it was cruddy? Do you think there had been overflow spilled onto it?
One could assume........but........did it solve the problem at least for now? You never mentioned if it was successful or not.
Old 08-15-2011, 03:33 PM
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it did solve the problem. The two connections near the radiator overflow didn't seem too bad, I cleaned them out anyways. I traced it down to the axle and took the plug out, and sprayed and cleaned that too. Got a longer overflow tube. Has been working since...

Not sure if you'd know or not, but is there anywhere to get a wiring diagram for this car? Seems like they're known for electrical problems, I do this kind of stuff for the Air Force so it would probably be easier to find a problem in a car rather than a massive cargo jet.
Old 08-15-2011, 04:35 PM
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download factory service manual, here, among many other places:

http://carservicemanuals.blogspot.co...ce-manual.html
Old 08-16-2011, 02:46 AM
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It also helps if you lather a bunch of dielectric grease on the connectors after you clean them. Helps keep any moisture out over time.
Old 08-16-2011, 11:58 AM
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Thumbs up

Originally Posted by HiFlite999
download factory service manual, here, among many other places:

http://carservicemanuals.blogspot.co...ce-manual.html

^ That thing is gold, thanks for the link...
Old 08-16-2011, 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by jsudz08
^ That thing is gold, thanks for the link...
Oh, there are other nuggets out there.....one must search weedhopper!

I have everything I've ever found downloaded into a nicely arranged directory with sub-directories.
Old 08-17-2011, 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Mazurfer
I have everything I've ever found downloaded into a nicely arranged directory with sub-directories.
Encyclopedia Rotorica!
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