DC350

Lately, i have been hearing 5 beeps from the steering column. I have tried searching but it has been disabled. I get into my car today and i dont have power steering! Whats up now? could you help me please??

Thx

Evan

DC350

please some one respond! i am in need of some quick help

RETed

__________________________________________________ _______
I had a similar problem with a recently purchased '86. I would be driving
along when a beeping would emit from inside the dash. Soon after, my power
steering would feel more like manual. I checked my factory service manual
and discovered that the Speed Sensing Power Steering control unit, located
under the dash below the instrument panel, emits beep codes to indicate a
problem. There are six different conditions/codes:

1) 2-beeps, pause, repeat. In case abnormality occurs to the engine speed
signal. The buzzer sounds when the vehicle speed signal is input and no
engine speed signal is input (short circuit, broken wire, etc.)

2) 3-beeps, pause, repeat. In case abnormality occurs to the stepping motor
signal. The buzzer sounds when there are broken wires or short circuits
in coils or harnesses.

3) 5-beeps, pause, repeat. In case abnormality occurs to steering sensor
signal. The buzzer sounds 60-seconds after broken wire or short circuit occurs
to sensors or harnesses when the vehicle speed is above 40Km/h (25 mph.)

4) 1-beep, pause, repeat. In case abnormality occurs to 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.

5) Continuous beep. In case abnormality occurs to the power steering
microcomputer. The buzzer sounds if the microcomputer becomes abnormal and
cannot control the system.

6) 4-beeps, pause, repeat. Also in case an abnormality occurs to the power
steering microcomputer. The buzzer sounds when there are circuit troubles
other than with the micro computer.

My beep code was #4 from above. I removed the control unit from my car,
opened the metal box it was in, removed the circuit board and resoldered it.
Upon re-installing, everything was fine. You might also want to first just
try removing the connector to the control unit, cleaning it, and then re-
connecting. I'm wondering if this could have fixed mine.



This is usually a sign of a disconnected or cut wire somewhere...



-Ted

DC350

thank's very much Ted, i will look into it some more. So there is a snipped wire somewhere....i was looking under the dash and there is a set up wires that are not even connected. But it doesn't need fluid right? And it will not harm the car. Correct?

-Evan

RETed

Fluid can be checked by looking into the power steer pump fluid reservior.&nbsp If that checks fine, then it'll just beep like at you over 25mph...



-Ted

DC350

it doesn't beep any more! and it's manual!! no power what so ever!!! HELP

Amur_

Go here for the most complete thread I have yet seen on this very common problem. I have the 5 beeps, too, but instead of fixing it I yanked the buzzer out of the computer. I'm planning on following it up later this spring...

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...threadid=39689

Good luck.

ttyl,
Amur_

RETed

It's beeping at you, but you don't have power steering???



-Ted

Amur_

>>It's beeping at you, but you don't have power steering???

The p/s computer still has power. It's telling him that it has an error that it can't resolve. The beep pattern tells him where he should start looking. Whether or not the p/s is responding is another issue.

He would be wise to take a quick peek at his fluid level, and to check his belt tension and condition. (DC350, you'll have to take it right out and twist it inside out to look for cracksa nd frags. Also, if you're using a belt dressing, STOP USING IT!)

And check your fuses. Doesn't hurt to go after the easy stuff first.

ttyl,
Amur_

DC350

well, it was beeping and i had PS, but now it's stopped beeping and there is no power steering! bah. I think i need some help! Thanks guys

p.s. No belt dressing, fluid is fine.

Amur_

Oh! That sucks! So now the computer isn't getting any power at all.

Pull the power steering computer (2 bolts and then unplug it - easy) and take it to an electronics repair shop. Get them to look for cold solder points. You've been in the Forum longer than I so you oughta know the whole sad story about the electronics in our cars.

If that doesn't fix it, I'd say that it's time to grab a voltmeter and start checking wires...

ttyl,
Amur_

DC350

yeah, i have figured out that the electronics in the rx7 suck *****. But i have read some other forums that are like "yeah you can fix it..." heh heh heh, but whatever i will take a look today, it's really pissin me off. Any other little ideas? Please let me know, Thanks evan

Amur_

Read and print-out the thread at the link I gave you (so you can have it with you when you're working on the car,) and dl the Factory Service Manual from www.iluvmyrx7.com It has lots of info, including instructions on how to get the steering wheel off if you decide to look at the sensor thingy behind it. And you can dl by section. You won't have to get the whole manual if you don't want it.

Get a voltmeter and make sure that you know how to use it. There are so many f***in' wires under that dash...

Best of luck,
Amur_

RX-7Impreza

yeah baby,

thats my thread!!!!!!!!

Justin

DC350

thanks i will need it, my FC is falling apart all around me
my vin number is rattling, the tranny synchos are messed. and the throw out bearing is gone, and now the power steering. Crist.....Thanks guys, any more help would be muchly appreciated!

DC350

They dont say anything about takin the little computer out under the dash. Could just be air in the system, bad alignment, or low fluid. Could anyone just give me on straight answer for what i should check, because of right now i am being led all over the place and i don thave much time on my hands. If you could do that it would be super! Thanks Guys

Evan

Amur_

>>They dont say anything about takin the little computer out under the dash.

None of the official stuff does. But nearly every FAQ that I've run into mentions it. Mazda did a really sloppy job assembling the circuit boards in our 7s. I've had every board in my car checked and they *all* had broken solder points.
It's a quick, cheap, easy fix.

>>Could just be air in the system, bad alignment, or low fluid.

That thread includes instructions on bleeding the system. You've said that the fluid is okay. And I've yet to see anything to suggest that the p/s computer will flash because of alignment.

>>right now i am being led all over the place and i don thave much time on my hands

Really?

A) check the computer for cold solder points/burned-out components
B) check the sensor in the steering column
C) use a voltmeter (and your eyes and fingers) to check the wiring harness for broken wires and/or short circuits.

I can't get more specific than that because the computer won't give more specific clues. And if you want to be, "led all over the place," try chasing a rough idle sometime... I'd say you're getting something of a break with only 3 steps to pursue, and you're not going to be left with a sore back from bending in over the engine for God knows how long. Everything's in the driver's side footwell.

ttyl,
Amur_

DC350

Thanks so much man, your have been fantastic help. My engine has a rough idle as well sometimes

RX-7Impreza

take the plastic surround off from the steering column and check all of the wires, as well as the platic steering sensor

Justin

DC350

where abouts is the sensor in the steering column?

Amur_

[QUOTE]take the plastic surround off from the steering column and check all of the wires, as well as the platic steering senso[QUOTE/]

So he/I won't need to take the steering wheel off to get at the steering column sensor? The FSM shows how to remove the steering wheel (page 10A-11) and it looks like a major PITA. I'd like to avoid that if I can.

ttyl,
Amur_

DC350

removing the steering wheel is peanuts. No problem at all, as long as you have the puller. Remember do not hit it with a hammer! Where abouts is the steering wheel sensor? It's weird, do you know why my steering wheel is like it's at the left? when i am going straight! may this be a problem linked to the alignment?

Amur_

>>Where abouts is the steering wheel sensor?

It's a plastic piece that sits around the steering column. RX7Impreza's seen it and could probably better describe this.

>> It's weird, do you know why my steering wheel is like it's at the left? when i am going straight! may this be a problem linked to the alignment?

That first sentence is total Yoda-speak. You could be clearer, ne? Do you mean that the wheel is a little bit counter-clockwise when the car is going straight? Since alignment is pretty much just a matter of making sure that *all four* wheels are pointing in the same direction at the same time, it's probably just the way the wheel is mounted to the column.

ttyl,
Amur_

RX-7Impreza

that is the same problem i had....why dont you read the thread...particularly the end. if the plastic sensor is twisted out of the sockets then your car thinks you are going at a turn while your wheels are going straight. this is why the five beep warning goes off

Justin

DC350

i dont have power steering at the moment, which i should. And the buzzer is not going off!

And yes Amur, the steering wheel is clock wise 25 degrees then going straight.