Lately I have had an issue where I turn on my car and power steering works great until I get on the highway or travel at a faster speed. After that power steering is gone and doesn't return until I restart the engine. Honestly the cars so light and easy to drive anyway it really doesn't bother me, but i would prefer if it was on all the time. I have messed around with the fluid putting more or less in the pump and that doesn't seem to affect it. I also adjusted the belt pulleys seeing if they might be loose but nothing came of that. Anyone have any suggestions before I replace it?

 

Speed Sensor most likely.. it has variable speed power steering.. I have a Gxl.. i have same problem.. just turn key off for split second and back on.. i do it all the time when driving

 

hahaha. i have the same prob. but turning your car off while driving???

 

hmm i see. well its too bad because when the fc's power steering IS working its the greatest i have ever experienced. feels like your steering air for the most part lol

 

I'm not sure if this is similiar to the JDM FC's, but mine doesn't disappear when I'm at speed (60kmh or higher) but it does give me more feel of the road. When I slow down, power steering becomes more prominent and makes it easier when parking and whatnot. I thought this was normal with RX7's as it was built in technology?

 

i get 2 beeps. i check in back on the cluster and everythings good. so i still dont know the problem. maybe its the ps ecu. i'll have to check it and re solder them.

 

Question: is your speedometer working ok?

 

yes speedometer is working fine. it beeps 2 times and thats when the wheel feels light. when it stops is when the wheel get stiff. took the ps ecu and looked at the board and it looks fine.

 

as a matter of fact, mine isn't working. when i installed glow gauges i guess i hit the needle and it doesn't move anymore. would that actually effect power steering?

 

Yes. This is what your problem is. You have to replace your speedo cable. What happens is after a a little while from starting up your car, your power steering computer realizes it doesn't have a speedometer signal to work with and goes into limp mode.

I know because I have encountered this exact same problem before.

 

So how do I fix my problem??

 

So how do I fix my problem??

 

very interesting. didnt know the ecu on such an old car would read that sort of thing. and i have never notice any harness wires ever going to the power steering pump \(0__o)/

 

Little weird that it would be GONE until you turn your car off, it should come back once you slow down. My SE does the same thing, and as far as I know it's supposed to negate itself at higher speeds.

 

From the FAQ:
1-beep, pause, repeat - in case abnormality of speed sensor signal:
In case broken wires or short circuits occur to sensors or harnesses, the buzzer sounds 60-seconds after the engine speed signal of 2200 rpm continues for 18-seconds.
2-beeps, pause, repeat - in case abnormality of engine speed signal:
The buzzer sounds twice and repeats when the vehicle speed signal is missing input and/or no engine speed signal is found (short circuit, broken wire, etc.)
3-beeps, pause, repeat - in case abnormality of stepping motor signal:
The buzzer sounds when there are broken wires or short circuits in coils or harnesses.
4-beeps, pause, repeat - in case abnormality of the power steering microcomputer:
The buzzer sounds 4 and repeats when there are circuit troubles other than with the micro computer.
5-beeps, pause, repeat - in case abnormality of steering sensor signal: Steering sensor is mis-aligned or failed or steering wheel has been improperly installed.

 

yes i have read the beeps faq.

 

What I did is wait until I had good PS boost then unplugged the computer from the PS pump. It's worked that way for over ten years. I'd think it will work for others.

 

Yeah ionno to me it seems like your speedo cable is either not working or the signal is not received by the PS computer.

 

can it be a fuse or something?

 

The p/s is a love/hate kind of thing. PITA when it goes wrong.

 

so where do i check?

 

after fixing my speedo it appears the power steering is now fully working again. i thought the speedo cable was broken or the gears were out but apparently if its not plugged in as far as it can go into the dash it wont read. killed 2 birds with one stone. thanks all