Crown Vic Power Steering

I have a 2001 CV with about 75000 miles. MY STEERING STARTED GETTING HARD SO I thought the belt was slipping and changed it with no effect. The tensioner seems to be working which leaves the pump. Has anyone had any similar problems? It does not appear to be a common problem with these cars,, appreciate any help

Rick

I have a 2001 CV with about 75000 miles. MY STEERING STARTED GETTING HARD SO I thought the belt was slipping and changed it with no effect. The tensioner seems to be working which leaves the pump. Has anyone had any similar problems? It does not appear to be a common problem with these cars,, appreciate any help

Rick

Do you hear a groan or any other abnormal noise coming from the ps pump when you turn the wheel?

The power steering has a control module mounted behind the glove box, also there is control valve in the steering box. I would first check the fluid level, then the lines, and see if the fluid is moving in the PS pump. I have had a few problems with the valve in the steering box, it caused hi boost to the power steering all the time, not just when at low speeds.

Thanks for the replies, there is no serious groaning when I turn the wheel. The fluid level is where it is supposed to be, I will check the valve and circulation of the fluid is there an easy way to do this?

There is no way of testing the valve I am aware of, I was told by the police mechanic that serviced the cars from which I bought from, to just change the steering box. Apparently when it goes it goes and there is no way to repair it.

looks like you need new power steering pump.

Please let me set this straight, no offence intended!

There is NO valve or anything on the GEAR. There is NO "control module" per-se.

These cars (and most other FoMoCo products) use a system called EVO (Electronically Variable Orfice) steering.

There is a small solenoid (valve) mounted on the the P/S pump. It controls the amout of fluid to the P/S gear. When the solenoid is unplugged, the system will go to FULL ASSIST (as I recall). You can check this system, therefore, by simply unplugging the connector at the P/S pump (reachable from the driver's side, underneath).

The EVO system is controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), which also controls the engine, trans, and all emissions functions.

You DO NOT need a gear or a pump. The EVO system is most likely the cause.

See: www.p71interceptor.com for additional info on this and all other things Crown Victoria.

No offense taken, but there is deffintly a module located behind the glove box that is stated in the repair manual to control the PS. Now maybe the police mechanic is BS'ing me about a control valve. I am going to look into it more, thanks for the info, as I still have the car with the overboosted PS assist.

Sorry I have not been able to access the forum, my computer was acting up. Something I forgot to mention is that my CV is not an intercepter so it is the 4.6 liter and the pump is seperate from the resevoir. I found the sensor on the pump and unplugged it and there was no difference so I plugged it back in, still no difference. Are there other ways of testing the system?

...sooo what if there is a loud ass buzzing/groaning/embarrassing sound that gets even louder when you are making turns? along with the steering becoming slightly stiffer everyday

I should have posted this earlier, the problem with the power steering was the u-joint in the steering column had corroded and got really sticky, used ruststop and worker the joint free. It now works fine, I just keep putting the rust stop or a light grease to it regurlarly.

Starting out, From 1992 on the 4.6 Litre engine in the Crown Vic is standard, even in Police Interceptors. If there is a different engine, it is aftermarket, or specially ordered. Second, as I turn my steering wheel, there is a CLICK on my blinker switch, even with the slightest turn. it is irritating, does anyone know about this?
Thanks.