I was messing with the Power FC, and I noticed that the power steering comes on turning left easier than turning right. As in, it takes less steering wheel degree movement turning left to activate the PS sensors than it does turning right. I've had a slight left hand pull on the freeway and I think this is the culprit (everything else has been checked, or replaced then checked).

Where are the sensors? Is this something internal in the rack? Anyone else had a similar issue?

Is there an adjustment somewhere?

 

Maybe your rack is not center?

 

Power steering doesn't have sensors or anything, it's a SUPER basic system.

Most likely bad alignment or a tire going bad.

Dale

 

Well... there is that one sensor thing on top of the pump. The singe wire that runs to that peg. Im pretty sure thats the load sensor.

 

According to the FSM wiring diagram (section Z), that's just an SPST pressure switch. It connects to the OEM ECU, and ref. diagram on page F-81 in the FSM it's presumably used to sense PS loading to bump up idle and prevent stalling. But it also connects to the instrument cluster via the X-06 connector to C1-01, pin 4C. Not sure what it's purpose is there, but it shows it connected to a box labeled "CPU & Speedometer".

 

Maybe that pressure switch is what the PFC is reading?

 

Unplug it and find out... it probably is

 

Back in the '90's, most power steering systems had a torsion spring on a hydraulic rotary valve in the steering column, either external or inside the steering (rack & pinion) unit itself. Twisting that spring opens the ports to the pump pressure to help move the rack. If the rotary valve is off more than a degree or 2 from dead center when the wheels are straight then you will get what you are feeling. It's possible that the steering links are adjusted too far to one side, and the steering wheel was moved one spline tooth to compensate, or the steering column is twisted or otherwise off.

 

Additionally, if the car was in an accident, it's possible that the torsion spring itself is permanently twisted, maybe causing this issue.