1998 power steering troubles

[Bearhug01]

Hello ladies and gents,

I am having trouble with my power steering, at times its regular (simple) to steer, then other times it get tougher than nails. The dealership told me it was the sensor shorting out, the senson at the bottom of the steering column. Last year I replaced that, seems to me that it should last longer than a year. What I would like to know is this - is there any work around to bypassing this damn sensor? I mean seriously, who in their right mind would put that there anyhow? Certainly the idiots at chevy only did this to make money. I wanted to put a regular power steering pump in and not use the electrical wires ect ect. Anyone tried or heard of this? If so, what wires need to be jumpered or whatever to do this??

[waterfowler05]

I am experiencing somewhat of the same symptoms as you. Sometimes my steering wheel seems to catch and then engages and turns fine. I was also told that it was that sensor. How much is that part and is it easy/hard to replace?

[Bearhug01]

the sensor itself isnt hard to replace at all. I used to have the website that gave a detailed set of instructions how this is done. Basically, you remove the plastics from around the steering column, remove the 2 nuts that hold the steering column in place, let it drop down, then you will be able to gain access to the sensor itself. First time through should take about 1-2 hours, be very careful of the air bag stuff though from what I was told but I didnt have any troubles there.

What I am looking for is a way to bypass that thing.

[777stickman]

Howdy: Remove the wiring plug at the back of the pump is all you have to do. Be ready to "re-learn" the steering as it will be easier and more sensitive at speeds. Did this to my '98 Sub K2500 2 years ago.........Steve

[Bearhug01]

By simply unplugging the connector, wont a warning light of some sort come on though? If so, how do I fix that part then? As far as the steering goes, I dont have any trouble with easier steering, I do have trouble buying sensor after sensor after sensor.

By the way, thank you for the info on unplugging it.

[777stickman]

The manual says it only sets a DTC while the engine is running and resets the code at shutdown. I've never had a warning light in two years....Steve

[jsm98r]

same problem here. I replaced sensor and now it is always hard to steer. Yall said that if I just unplug the sensor that I could bypass it and steering would just be easy all the time--is this right? Also, what exactly do I unplug? Do I unplug where the sensor goes in under the brake pedal or do I unplug at the pump. Oh. and where is the pump.

thanks

[Bubba1855]

I recently replaced my sensor under the dash. It was giving me a quick jerk while making turns. If you just unplug the sensor on the sterring column, it will disable the speed sensitivity. You will have full power assist 100% of the time. I had my sensor unplugged for about 4 weeks before I finally found time to replace it. It will not cause any other problems while unplugged. To unplug the sensor, look under your dash on the steering column. There will be a a set of three wires coming from the sensor that will have a connection just above the sensor on top of the column. It will be wrapped in material, which takes more time to remove than anything else. Just unplug it, but be careful driving. You will then have full time power assist.

Just a note, I found instructions on how to replace it on this site. Someone posted a great step by step about 2 months ago! Thanks to who ever it was!

[jsm98r]

thanks, wish I had just unhooked the sensor rather than spend 150 to replace it.