No power steering??? Help!!!

[J-Roc]

Hi all,
I just did my timing belt on my 94 GTP w/the 3.4L and the engine runs great. The problem that I'm having is that I do not have any power steering. The PS worked before I did the timing belt It does not whine or leak. I took off the return hose and pointed it back into the cap/dipstick hole and when I run the engine, I can see the fluid returning into the ps pump. One note is that I did take apart to the ps pump to replace the o-rings. Another note is that I do not hear the PS pump "engage" when I turn the steering wheel. Nothing special, but maybe I overlooked something? Do I need a new PS pump? Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

[richtazz]

First, double check your belt routing diagram to be sure you have the serpentine belt routed correctly. Improper routing can cause the pump to turn backwards and not work. Next, you need to bleed the air out of the system. Make sure the fluid level is full and start the car. S-l-o-w-l-y turn the steering wheel all the way to the left, then all the way to the right (try to avoid hitting the stops) and then back to center. Check the fluid level. If it is low or foamy, shut the car off and allow the foam to settle, then refill. Repeat above proceedure until the fluid level remains constant and no more foam/bubbles appear.

[J-Roc]

Hmmm, I was turning it very quickly and I was hitting the steering stops. Would that pose a problem?

[J-Roc]

Could it be a faulty power steering pressure switch? Would a faulty pressure switch throw a CEL? THis switch/sensor is located on the rack n pinion on the drivers side...

[dragos69ca]

I agree with richtazz that you have to check first the timming belt...if the rotation on the steering pulley is reverse then no pressure will be built in steering system. You said that you've changed the o-rings from the pump...can you give more details of what you've done? One of the o-rings could be the cause of by-pass and no pressure...it might be possible that if the belt is in the right position than you have to change the pump as your job of changing the o-rings didn't worked. Check also the pressure valve from the pump...make sure the valve could move freely inside the bore and you have position the valve with the spring in the right place: first you put the spring in the bore and after that the valve with the back to the pressure fitting side. I need more details in order to diagnose the problem....

[J-Roc]

The timing belt is seperate from the serpentine belt. The belt that powers the p/s pump only goes on one way. I'm going to double check the o-rings on the valve. Would a failure of the rack and pinion cause a "no pressure" situation? I did have to move the car a few times and during those times the engine was not on, so I did not have any power steering whatsoever. Would this cause damage to the steering rack or p/s pump???

[J-Roc]

ttt anyone?

[dragos69ca]

Sometimes the torsion bar from the rack snaps when you hit something or you force too much the steering without power assist. The best method to diagnose pressure problem is to measure first the pressure realesed by the pump (hydraulic pressure gauge mounted on the pressure hose that comes from the pump)....the pressure at 2000 RPM should be min 1,200 psi when you lock the steering on one side (move the steering to max on one side and keep pressed during measurement).
If you can't get the gauge to do that then you have to go to a shop. The diagnose in steering is the first step before replacing any expenssive parts. If the steering was fine before you changed the o-rings at the pump then I'll say that you have a by-pass in the pump and the best thing is to buy a remanufacturing pump (the basic one without reservoir, is less money) and to replace it. The pump is about 80$, depending from where you are buying....let me know.