I recently purchased a 88 Mazda GXL. I got a really good deal and I am happy with the car. But there a few bugs to work out. The main one for now is the steering, it only works part of the time. Sometimes I have to stop and shut the car off to get it to work the right way. Other wise It feels like I have manual steering.

Any help anyone can give me on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

Rip the pump out. There are a few good threads on this. Power steering is for women and the handicapped. You will save about 40 pounds and 8 horsepower by taking it out.

 

Actually it's closer to 12 lbs and 3HP.
This car has electronically controlled speed sensitive steering.
I would check the connectors first - both at the pump and at the steering computer.
The power steering computer has it's own error code system which will emit gentle beeps (versus louder the redline, LOW COOLANT, LOW OIL buzzer) when it encounters a problem with the power steering system.
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 when the vehicle speed signal is input and no engine speed signal is input (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 when there are circuit troubles other than with the micro computer.
5-beeps, pause, repeat - in case abnormality of 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).

 

Thanks for the help. I'll try that later this week.

 

if you need a pump i will sell you $50 plus shipping.. Dave

 

How do I know if the pump is going out?

 

Have you checked the obvious things like low fluid?

TOdd

 

I have the same problem Bruce. The power steering works right when you turn on the car, but after you drive it for like 2 minutes, it turns off. But it IS speed sensitive. My speedometer cable is broken and isn't connected to the back of my guage cluster, so that's why mine doesn't work.

-Kanaida

 

Bingo!

 

Your problems are:

Cold solder joint or loose plug in the power steering computer (right behind the drivers dash speaker).

Try removing the plug, then plugging back in. If that doesn't work then replace or repair the power steering CPU.

And skypilot is way off, the power steering system only robs 2 HP at under 15 miles per hour and drops off to just about nothing at above 45 MPH.

 

thanks for all the info youve given me. Hopefully one of these is the solution that I need to fix the problem.