When in idle, my tach shows (and I can hear) the rpm drops almost all the way to the bottom when I turn the wheel all the way to the either side. It does this only when the wheel is turned to the maximum. As soon as I release the wheen from maximum turned position, rpm comes back to normal (around 750 rpm). Does anyone here have the same experience? How did you diagnose this problem? Thanks in advance, you guys are the best!!!

PS: I have an 89 RX7 Vert, N/A, mostly stock (k&n air filter)....

 

It takes more power to turn the power steering pump when you are "actively" turning your steering wheel :-D

 

try cleaning your BAC valve that should help a little, or replace the bac valve

 

almost EVERY power steering car does this, its becuase the pump cant pump any more once the steering rack if all the way to one side. its normal, ignore it.

 

yea my dads 2001 escape does it

 

The Air Supply Valve is supposed to open when you turn the steering wheel. That's supposed to makeup for the load you put on the engine. You do know where the Air Supply VAlve is.

EDIT: That's for a tubo car. On a non turbo I'd suspect the Air Bypass Valve is suppossed to do that function. Just guessing. I don't have a series five car. I'd suggest reading the FUEL seciton of the online, free fsm for your series car.

 

Nah. I was all wet. It's the BAC. See page FI-40 of the online series five FSM.

Turbo series four use the Air Supply Valve.

 

Yea, maybe 50-100 RPM. He sais that his almost stalls the car.

 

Pretty sure every car does that a little, unless it's got a v8 or something.

 

Would it stall the car if the belt was really tight, and it pretty much locked the pump?

 

I would think that you would hear the pump bearings screeming bloody murder.

 

No it's not normal. Nearly all cars with PS (including the FC) have a system that increases idle speed when the PS is being used. The idle speed should only drop a tiny amount and then quickly recover. If you have the symptoms described by the original poster then there is a problem somewhere.

The two most likely causes are a problem with the BAC valve (disconnected or clogged) or a problem with the PS pump pressure switch (failed switch, wiring damage).