I searched for "Power steering problems", "Power steering sensor" and couldn't find any information on this. Someone please tell me if I was searching wrong...


My power steering at slow/low speeds is working 50% of the time. I thought I read there was a sensor that picks up how fast your going to increase/decrease PS assistance.

Anyone know how to diagnose whats wrong with the thing, I get no beeps, but I don't get beeps for redline shifting either, so I think my buzzer may be missing. (No idiot lights either)

I was going to grab a power steering pump from the local junk yards. Will a S5 power steering pump work? Or is it S4 specific?

Thanks!

 

Firstly, have you read the FSM? Read both the Power Steering and Body Electrical chapters.

The S4's road-speed sensing power steering has inputs from the trailing coil (engine rpm), road speed sensor and steering wheel angle sensor. It has a control box under the dash with its own warning beeper (i.e. nothing to do with the redline buzzer).

Some S5's had engine-speed sensing P/S, and those pumps can't be used. I believe the S4 and S5 road-speed sensing power steering pumps are the same.

You could always just take it to a power steering workshop.

BTW, you should fix the warning lights and readline/oil/coolant buzzer. They could save your engine...

 

Alright thanks for the info. I will take a look this weekend. I know my trailing coil was a bit dirty on the contacts, so maybe its not firing 100% causing a little confusion with the sensor..

Ahh, I ment it to read that "no idiot lights" as in none were poping up, the idiot lights are working. Just none are on

As for the redline/oil/coolent add buzzer its on the list for this weekends projects.

Thanks again for the info, I was in the proccess of downloading the whole FSM, I thought about trying to print the whole thing out but it looks to be a good 1000 pages.

My alternator needs to be replaced also, i was thinking it might have some play in it, im barely seeing 13.4v right now (I know its bad) when its daytime, no lights etc. When its night, its under 13. So this weekend im getting a new one as well (after checking and make sure theres no bad connections.) I doubt it would affect the Power Steering though as it has a pump of its own... Figured id mention that and see what you thought.

Thanks again. I guess ill try and test the sensors somehow before swapping the pump.