For a short while the steering was alternating between normal feel and a heavy feel with a little "kick" when changing. :( Opened the PAS fluid reservoir and turned lock to lock to eliminate any airlock. PAS OK for a while and is now permanantly heavy. Local garage has checked and found all mechanical parts to be working (pump, rack etc) He thinks it is an electronic signal problem related to the vehicle's speed - Is this right?? and if so where is the problem and what is the cure?????

 

Cheers lads - Apache aka Phil

Yes the steering is speed related, so a false signal or missing dignal to the part which controls the stiffness of the steering will cause it to go mad.

 

Is it an import by any chance? Most of the time its the speedo converter which is playing up or a wire has come lose on it or there is a bad connection.

Yes it is an import, na, swb but does not have a converter/de-limiter fittted. The bing bong still chimes and the speedo works fine.

 

Any ideas as to where this connection/missing signal is/should be????

Could be a problem with the speed sensor located on the gearbox. Usually the speedo dies with it, but it may just be effecting your steering.

Thanks for the comments - would running a Conzult check reveal anything regarding this problem????

apache you still want my wheels?? see my thread

 

cheers mate

 

nick

Have checked the Nissan Manual I have on CD and the schematic (page ST-29)shows a Power Steering Control Unit (PSCU) fed by various switches and the speed sensor. This PSCU then outputs to the Power Steering Solenoid Valve. Does anyone know whereabouts on the car this PSCU is and if it is checkable by Conzult?????

 

I think it maybe checked as there is a check connector on the diagram but hey - who knows for sure???

 

Off to Tesco's now to get some more spinach.........................

Thanks for the comments - would running a Conzult check reveal anything regarding this problem????

 

Consult wont pick up the problem, speedo sensor fault probably

Wouldn't a faulty speedo sensor cause the speedo not to work???

 

Mine's working fine and does not have a converter/delimiter fitted either.

When the steering goes "heavy", does the Hicas light come on?

As far as I'm aware I don't have HICAS as my Zed is an NA - is that right??

Correct - NO HICAS

 

PS valve is located on the rack, look under drivers side near to the oil filter...

http://www.300zx.co.uk/cgi-bin/manual.cgi?list=st&dir=&config=&refresh=&direction=forward&scale=0&cycle=off&slide=31&design=default&total=98 and subsequent pages...

 

any help?

Cheers Andy - some food for thought there - do you know whereabouts the Power Steering Control Unit is??? I can then make attempt at looking for the Neutral switch, Parking Brake switch, Clutch switch and Speed Sensor inputs to it.

Oh look ;)

 

http://www.300zx.co.uk/cgi-bin/manual.cgi?list=el&dir=&config=&refresh=&direction=forward&scale=0&cycle=off&slide=112&design=default&total=133

 

Its behind the ECU, under the floorboard behind the passenger footwell carpet :)

What a star - next time I'm in Preston I'll get you a beer!!!!!! or maybe a go in the Apache AH-64 Flight Simulator??

 

No time to check tonight (I'm at work until 11pm) - but should get time tomorrow.

:D:D:D Simulator sounds good to me ;) LOL

 

No worries m8 happy to help :)

Hi All. Just checking to see if mine has the same problem. Its an n/a, import, SWB, manual, with a speedo converter. Power steering goes heavy whenever it feels like it, and often when parking (where it should be lighter?).

 

Perfect example, went to Luton on Friday night in the torrential rain. Steering would go heavy, then light, then heavy, causing me to make steering corrections a lot (not fun in the wet :( ).

 

Thought it might be the power steering belt? Also, my speedo goes nuts every-so-often, changing from mph to kph, and sometimes going off the clock. Apparently this happens with converters. I haven't noticed any connection between the 2 problems but will keep a close watch on them.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks Guys

Think your problem is caused by the converter m8 ;) Usually located under the speedo cluster 'hood'. Remove this (2 screws from underneath) and see if you can find the converter - reconnect the original wires to the speedo and see if the problem goes away. That behaviour is certainly NOT normal for converters though, if its doing that its faulty!!!

Hmm...i was there when my mech fitted it. Will do what you suggest since i can't actually remember whether i had the problem before the converter was put on. Got the converter from Luke (Z Centre) so if thats the problem i'll give him a bell and see if i can grab another.

Jester i had sommat similar on mine. As I was turning the wheel through the arc it would jerk and go heavy then light. It turned out to be the lower steering U.J. Fitted and then fine!

 

HTH

 

Ivan

my power steering keeps tripping in and out too - however the speedo doesn't seem to be affected, I have had the soleniod hard-wired by zedworld to eliminate dodgy connection. also contact cleaner sprayed in connections to speed sender, though connection looks good. I thought it could be speed related, but sometimes you can sit at idle and the seering suddenly goes hard, I wondered wether it could be the solenoid but re-starting the car many times has no affect so I'm puzzled? it was suggested that it coulds be pump related as there is apparently a valvle inside the pump that could get clocked?