96 continenal no ps
lostagain
02-14-2006, 05:36 PM
i have a 1996 continental and took it to the dealer figuring they would be able to diagnose it and they said it was the powersteering selenoid on the rack anfter it was replaced same problem then i was told it was the ps pump that was replaced and still same problem
no the symptoms i get are i have some powersterring but it is very little and when making turns like at the corner of the block it seams to be very hard when on the highway it feels as iff there is more ps then going slower , my mechanic said it might be the rack but i cant really aford to take a nother guess , oh dont know if this means anything but on the dash display where i can controll my steering /ride controll thee options for steering were wrong for steering it listed firm,normal,plush and for ride was low normal hard this only happen once after i turned offthe car and restarted it was back to normal any help would be greatly apreciated
no the symptoms i get are i have some powersterring but it is very little and when making turns like at the corner of the block it seams to be very hard when on the highway it feels as iff there is more ps then going slower , my mechanic said it might be the rack but i cant really aford to take a nother guess , oh dont know if this means anything but on the dash display where i can controll my steering /ride controll thee options for steering were wrong for steering it listed firm,normal,plush and for ride was low normal hard this only happen once after i turned offthe car and restarted it was back to normal any help would be greatly apreciated
Towncar
02-14-2006, 06:51 PM
.....i have some powersterring but it is very little and when making turns like at the corner of the block it seams to be very hard when on the highway it feels as iff there is more ps then going slower, my mechanic said it might be the rack but i cant really aford to take a nother guess.....
Sounds like your mechanic is guessing as well, educated guessing, but with parts rather than tests. The mechanic may have good intentions attempting to save you some $$ by replacing the simple things first, saving the more difficult and expensive stuff for last, but hey -- cut to the chase test the suspect components, and just replace the bad ones no matter the expense, right? I feel for you, I don't trust anyone to even open/close my hood let alone fixing something. The F'n SMOG guy dented my hood, asshole!! Course they paid, but that's not the point.
The PS Actuator valve could have been tested before replacing, maybe it was?
The PS pump could have been pressure tested before replacing, maybe it was?
As for the remaining problem.. it requires additional testing before any replacments are ordered. Generally speaking, the problem is either mechanical or electrical, both systems need to be checked 100%.
Here's the Symptom Chart: Text colored blue sounds like yours
Steering System Diagnosis
Condition(s):
Note:
Discolored Steering Fluid in a Rack-and-Pinion Steering System Should Not be Misdiagnosed as a Functional or Noise Concern When Steering Very Difficult/Very Easy.
o High (Excessive) Power Steering Efforts at All Vehicle Speeds is Recognized While Turning Corners and During Low Speed Maneuvers and Especially While Parking. The Assist Concerns May Occur in Both Directions or Only in One Direction, They May be Intermittent, or Consistent/Continuous.
o Engine Stalls With Steering Wheel Rotation During Parking
o Steering Does Not Vary With Vehicle Speed
o Steering Effort High at All Time
o Steering Diagnostics Cannot Be Entered
o Low Efforts at All Vehicle Speeds
o Low Efforts Above 30 mph (48 km/h)
Note:
Clean Off the Power Rack and Pinion Steering Gear Before Performing ANY Power Rack and Pinion Steering Gear External Leakage Checks
o External Leakage at Steering Gear.
Note:
The Loose Condition Can be Detected With Greater Reliability With the Engine off and Steering Wheel Straight Ahead. A Very Light Touch on the Steering Wheel Should be Used in Checking for This Condition.
o Loose On Center.
Note:
Groove on Steel Hub of Steering Wheel Must be in Line With Mark on Top End of Steering Shaft With Front Wheels in Straight Ahead Position to Line Up Steering Wheel Spokes Properly. Steering Wheel Centerline Should be Within 10 Degrees of Vertical Plane After Toe-In is Adjusted.
o Steering Wheel Not Centered Properly.
Note:
Discolored Steering Fluid in Rack-and-Pinion Steering System Should Not Be Misdiagnosed as a Functional or Noise Concern.
o Rough/Sticky Feeling--Erratic Steering Efforts
o Momentary Build Up of Pressure Followed By a "Snapping" Feel or Sound With a Return To Normal Effort. Can Occur For Small Steering Corrections or Steering Reversal. May Occur In Either One or Both Directions.
o During Cold Start (Below -6°C (20°F), Parking Steering Effort Is Very High. After Power Steering Warms Up, a "Snapping" Feel or Noise is Followed By a Return To Normal Steering Effort
Note:
Crosswinds and crowned roads may cause vehicle to pull right or left.
o Unequal Drive Efforts
o Left and Right Steering Efforts Noticeably Unequal. Most Noticeable During Low-Speed, High-Input "S" Maneuvers.
o Vehicle Pulls or Leads to One Side While Trying to Maintain a Straight Course On Straight and Level Road.
o Poor Returnability is a Condition Noticed When the Vehicle Fails to Return to a Nearly Straight Ahead Position After a Corner Maneuver. The Steering Wheel Should Return Within a Reasonable Period of Time Without Undue Help From the Driver. Returnability Concerns May Occur From Both Directions or Only From One Direction.
o Noise/Rattle/Clicks/
Pops/Squeaks/Creaks/Clunk/
Squawk/Hiss
There are Many System Noises Which Can be Misdiagnosed as Originating From the Power Rack and Pinion Steering Gear. Most System Noises are rpm Sensitive. Therefore, Turning the Steering Wheel Will Vary the rpm and Consequently the Noise Pitch. Careful Diagnosis is Necessary to Prevent Unnecessary Services. Partially Cycling the Steering Wheel With the Engine in OFF Can Help Determine if the Noise is Hydraulic.
o A Common Noise in the Power Rack and Pinion Steering Gear is a Hissing Sound. The Sound is Most Evident at Static Position or During Parking Maneuvers. There is no Relationship Between This Noise and Performance of the Steering. "Hiss" May Occur at end of Steering Wheel Travel or When Slowly Turning at Stand Still, or at a Particular Position.
o Excessive Hissing
o Wandering/Darting/Pointing
-- Condition Noticed When the Vehicle is Driven in a Straight Ahead Position With the Steering Wheel Held in a Firm Position, and the Vehicle Wanders to Either Side. Darting Refers to Down the Road Steering Feel, it is Not Smooth and Seems to be Sticky and the Driver Cannot Make Minor Correction With Ease. Pointing Refers to the Inability of the Vehicle to Return to a Straight Ahead Position After a Moderate to Higher Speed Lane Change.
o Pointing Characteristics are Normal with the Rack-and-Pinion Steering System Up to 10 Degrees Off-Center.
*********************************************
*********************************************
Condition(s) WITH Possible Sources of Problems:
Note:
Discolored Steering Fluid in a Rack-and-Pinion Steering System Should Not be Misdiagnosed as a Functional or Noise Concern When Steering Very Difficult/Very Easy.
o High (Excessive) Power Steering Efforts at All Vehicle Speeds is Recognized While Turning Corners and During Low Speed Maneuvers and Especially While Parking. The Assist Concerns May Occur in Both Directions or Only in One Direction, They May be Intermittent, or Consistent/Continuous.
***************
Possible Source(s):
§ Low power steering gear fluid.
Action(s) to take:
§ FILL as required and CHECK for system leaks.
Possible Source(s):
§ Power rack and pinion steering gear assembly external or internal leak.
Action(s) to take:
§ REPLACE power steering short rack assembly.
Possible Source(s):
§ Power steering pump external leak.
Action(s) to take:
§ REFER to Power Steering Pump Diagnosis.
Possible Source(s):
§ Power steering pump pressure and flow improper.
Action(s) to take:
§ PERFORM Pump Flow and Pressure Tests. SERVICE as required.
Possible Source(s):
§ Variable assist power steering system malfunction.
Action(s) to take:
§ Electrical & Module Diagnosis
Possible Source(s):
§ Improper drive belt tension.
Action(s) to take:
§ CHECK for proper drive belt tension.
Possible Source(s):
§ Hose external leak.
Action(s) to take:
§ SERVICE or REPLACE as necessary.
Possible Source(s):
§ Hose restriction.
Action(s) to take:
§ CLEAN or REPLACE as necessary.
Possible Source(s):
§ Power steering pump pulley loose/warped.
Action(s) to take:
§ REPLACE power steering pump pulley.
Possible Source(s):
§ Power steering pump drive belt loose/glazed/broken or water on drive belt.
Action(s) to take:
§ INSPECT, ADJUST drive belt tension or REPLACE as required.
Possible Source(s):
§ Engine idle too low.
Action(s) to take:
§ REFER to Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis Manual.
Possible Source(s):
§ Tires not properly inflated.
Action(s) to take:
§ INFLATE.
Possible Source(s):
§ Suspension bent or interference.
Action(s) to take:
§ INSPECT, SERVICE or REPLACE as necessary.
Possible Source(s):
§ System contaminated.
Action(s) to take:
§ INSPECT system for foreign object, kinked hose, etc.
--FLUSH system
--REFER to power steering pump section.
Possible Source(s):
§ Return line full flow filter plugged and filter bypass valve will not open.
§ Reservoir filter plugged.
§ Filter in variable assist power steering II banjo bolt plugged (light effort at all times).
Action(s) to take:
§ Prior to replacing a power steering pump, EXAMINE filter in power steering pump reservoir and in power steering auxiliary actuator (under inlet connector assembly) for plugging and replace power steering pump reservoir or steering auxiliary actuator mounting bolts as necessary.
Possible Source(s):
§ Flex coupling rubbing against housing face.
Action(s) to take:
§ REPOSITION flex coupling.
Possible Source(s):
§ Steering column out of alignment or binding.
Action(s) to take:
§ ALIGN steering column assembly.
Possible Source(s):
§ Low assist requested for stiff suspension setting.
Action(s) to take:
§ CHECK selection in Steering Assist Menu of message center.
Sounds like your mechanic is guessing as well, educated guessing, but with parts rather than tests. The mechanic may have good intentions attempting to save you some $$ by replacing the simple things first, saving the more difficult and expensive stuff for last, but hey -- cut to the chase test the suspect components, and just replace the bad ones no matter the expense, right? I feel for you, I don't trust anyone to even open/close my hood let alone fixing something. The F'n SMOG guy dented my hood, asshole!! Course they paid, but that's not the point.
The PS Actuator valve could have been tested before replacing, maybe it was?
The PS pump could have been pressure tested before replacing, maybe it was?
As for the remaining problem.. it requires additional testing before any replacments are ordered. Generally speaking, the problem is either mechanical or electrical, both systems need to be checked 100%.
Here's the Symptom Chart: Text colored blue sounds like yours
Steering System Diagnosis
Condition(s):
Note:
Discolored Steering Fluid in a Rack-and-Pinion Steering System Should Not be Misdiagnosed as a Functional or Noise Concern When Steering Very Difficult/Very Easy.
o High (Excessive) Power Steering Efforts at All Vehicle Speeds is Recognized While Turning Corners and During Low Speed Maneuvers and Especially While Parking. The Assist Concerns May Occur in Both Directions or Only in One Direction, They May be Intermittent, or Consistent/Continuous.
o Engine Stalls With Steering Wheel Rotation During Parking
o Steering Does Not Vary With Vehicle Speed
o Steering Effort High at All Time
o Steering Diagnostics Cannot Be Entered
o Low Efforts at All Vehicle Speeds
o Low Efforts Above 30 mph (48 km/h)
Note:
Clean Off the Power Rack and Pinion Steering Gear Before Performing ANY Power Rack and Pinion Steering Gear External Leakage Checks
o External Leakage at Steering Gear.
Note:
The Loose Condition Can be Detected With Greater Reliability With the Engine off and Steering Wheel Straight Ahead. A Very Light Touch on the Steering Wheel Should be Used in Checking for This Condition.
o Loose On Center.
Note:
Groove on Steel Hub of Steering Wheel Must be in Line With Mark on Top End of Steering Shaft With Front Wheels in Straight Ahead Position to Line Up Steering Wheel Spokes Properly. Steering Wheel Centerline Should be Within 10 Degrees of Vertical Plane After Toe-In is Adjusted.
o Steering Wheel Not Centered Properly.
Note:
Discolored Steering Fluid in Rack-and-Pinion Steering System Should Not Be Misdiagnosed as a Functional or Noise Concern.
o Rough/Sticky Feeling--Erratic Steering Efforts
o Momentary Build Up of Pressure Followed By a "Snapping" Feel or Sound With a Return To Normal Effort. Can Occur For Small Steering Corrections or Steering Reversal. May Occur In Either One or Both Directions.
o During Cold Start (Below -6°C (20°F), Parking Steering Effort Is Very High. After Power Steering Warms Up, a "Snapping" Feel or Noise is Followed By a Return To Normal Steering Effort
Note:
Crosswinds and crowned roads may cause vehicle to pull right or left.
o Unequal Drive Efforts
o Left and Right Steering Efforts Noticeably Unequal. Most Noticeable During Low-Speed, High-Input "S" Maneuvers.
o Vehicle Pulls or Leads to One Side While Trying to Maintain a Straight Course On Straight and Level Road.
o Poor Returnability is a Condition Noticed When the Vehicle Fails to Return to a Nearly Straight Ahead Position After a Corner Maneuver. The Steering Wheel Should Return Within a Reasonable Period of Time Without Undue Help From the Driver. Returnability Concerns May Occur From Both Directions or Only From One Direction.
o Noise/Rattle/Clicks/
Pops/Squeaks/Creaks/Clunk/
Squawk/Hiss
There are Many System Noises Which Can be Misdiagnosed as Originating From the Power Rack and Pinion Steering Gear. Most System Noises are rpm Sensitive. Therefore, Turning the Steering Wheel Will Vary the rpm and Consequently the Noise Pitch. Careful Diagnosis is Necessary to Prevent Unnecessary Services. Partially Cycling the Steering Wheel With the Engine in OFF Can Help Determine if the Noise is Hydraulic.
o A Common Noise in the Power Rack and Pinion Steering Gear is a Hissing Sound. The Sound is Most Evident at Static Position or During Parking Maneuvers. There is no Relationship Between This Noise and Performance of the Steering. "Hiss" May Occur at end of Steering Wheel Travel or When Slowly Turning at Stand Still, or at a Particular Position.
o Excessive Hissing
o Wandering/Darting/Pointing
-- Condition Noticed When the Vehicle is Driven in a Straight Ahead Position With the Steering Wheel Held in a Firm Position, and the Vehicle Wanders to Either Side. Darting Refers to Down the Road Steering Feel, it is Not Smooth and Seems to be Sticky and the Driver Cannot Make Minor Correction With Ease. Pointing Refers to the Inability of the Vehicle to Return to a Straight Ahead Position After a Moderate to Higher Speed Lane Change.
o Pointing Characteristics are Normal with the Rack-and-Pinion Steering System Up to 10 Degrees Off-Center.
*********************************************
*********************************************
Condition(s) WITH Possible Sources of Problems:
Note:
Discolored Steering Fluid in a Rack-and-Pinion Steering System Should Not be Misdiagnosed as a Functional or Noise Concern When Steering Very Difficult/Very Easy.
o High (Excessive) Power Steering Efforts at All Vehicle Speeds is Recognized While Turning Corners and During Low Speed Maneuvers and Especially While Parking. The Assist Concerns May Occur in Both Directions or Only in One Direction, They May be Intermittent, or Consistent/Continuous.
***************
Possible Source(s):
§ Low power steering gear fluid.
Action(s) to take:
§ FILL as required and CHECK for system leaks.
Possible Source(s):
§ Power rack and pinion steering gear assembly external or internal leak.
Action(s) to take:
§ REPLACE power steering short rack assembly.
Possible Source(s):
§ Power steering pump external leak.
Action(s) to take:
§ REFER to Power Steering Pump Diagnosis.
Possible Source(s):
§ Power steering pump pressure and flow improper.
Action(s) to take:
§ PERFORM Pump Flow and Pressure Tests. SERVICE as required.
Possible Source(s):
§ Variable assist power steering system malfunction.
Action(s) to take:
§ Electrical & Module Diagnosis
Possible Source(s):
§ Improper drive belt tension.
Action(s) to take:
§ CHECK for proper drive belt tension.
Possible Source(s):
§ Hose external leak.
Action(s) to take:
§ SERVICE or REPLACE as necessary.
Possible Source(s):
§ Hose restriction.
Action(s) to take:
§ CLEAN or REPLACE as necessary.
Possible Source(s):
§ Power steering pump pulley loose/warped.
Action(s) to take:
§ REPLACE power steering pump pulley.
Possible Source(s):
§ Power steering pump drive belt loose/glazed/broken or water on drive belt.
Action(s) to take:
§ INSPECT, ADJUST drive belt tension or REPLACE as required.
Possible Source(s):
§ Engine idle too low.
Action(s) to take:
§ REFER to Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis Manual.
Possible Source(s):
§ Tires not properly inflated.
Action(s) to take:
§ INFLATE.
Possible Source(s):
§ Suspension bent or interference.
Action(s) to take:
§ INSPECT, SERVICE or REPLACE as necessary.
Possible Source(s):
§ System contaminated.
Action(s) to take:
§ INSPECT system for foreign object, kinked hose, etc.
--FLUSH system
--REFER to power steering pump section.
Possible Source(s):
§ Return line full flow filter plugged and filter bypass valve will not open.
§ Reservoir filter plugged.
§ Filter in variable assist power steering II banjo bolt plugged (light effort at all times).
Action(s) to take:
§ Prior to replacing a power steering pump, EXAMINE filter in power steering pump reservoir and in power steering auxiliary actuator (under inlet connector assembly) for plugging and replace power steering pump reservoir or steering auxiliary actuator mounting bolts as necessary.
Possible Source(s):
§ Flex coupling rubbing against housing face.
Action(s) to take:
§ REPOSITION flex coupling.
Possible Source(s):
§ Steering column out of alignment or binding.
Action(s) to take:
§ ALIGN steering column assembly.
Possible Source(s):
§ Low assist requested for stiff suspension setting.
Action(s) to take:
§ CHECK selection in Steering Assist Menu of message center.
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