Hello -
Thanks for getting back with me. . .. . .. . .. . ...
Brownfrblt7. . .. . ...I can understand your frustration and dilemma. . .. . .. . .. . ...so maybe if I explain a little you will better understand and, not be frustrated.
One of our main concerns and attempts is to try to assist customers in the repair and or advice in the repair of their vehicle. We do this in many ways, some of which we try to find free, or the least expensive way for them to do this. We need the customers to assist in performing certain checks to eliminate certain things that will help arrive at, Lord willing, the solution. You can clearly see that from all of the posts that customers have been worked with. Especially since we are not there to see, touch, hear, smell etc the problem; we do our best to work with the customer in solving the problem.
The exciting part to this is while the customers are doing certain things and checks we suggest, it also provides them suggestions, ideas etc for future vehicle problems that they may be able to then fix on their own.
We also don't want to just guess or throw things out there as that is what you sometimes get from the places you take your vehicle. We want to guide you as best as possible.
Also, we work with a variety of customers. . .. . .some with no mechanical ability and some with great knowledge. Some who understand how their vehicle operates and some who don't care to know, they just want it fixed.
With that in mind. . .. . .. . .I am sending you to AZ to get codes that your vehicle may have thrown. Your power steering, though you may or may not know, is electrical, hydraulic and mechanical. To properly troubleshoot we try a series of different things that a shop would do and charge you for and hopefully, fix the car with the least amount of cost.
As you see below, the electronic variable orifice (EVO) system is designed to regulate power steering effort. As you also see, if your car did throw a power steering diagnostic code, or codes, they are accessible through the service connector.
DESCRIPTION & OPERATION
Electronic Variable Orifice (EVO) system is designed to regulate power steering effort according to vehicle speed and steering wheel rotation rate.
System provides full assist at low vehicle speed for light parking effort, and minimum assist at high vehicle speed for improved handling and road feel.
Full power steering assist returns during evasive maneuvers.
During periods of system malfunction, system will provide full power steering assist at all times.
Diagnostic codes are accessible through service diagnostic connector.
EVO system consists of speed and steering wheel rotation sensors, control module, actuator and interconnecting wiring. See Fig. 1 .
So instead of sending you to a shop and pay say, about $90 for them to check your codes and either tell you there is none or there is some. . .. . .. . .we prefer to do it for free which is why I suggested AZ or OR.
So I am not sending you to someone else, I am having you check your codes for free so possible, your car threw a code, we look at the number, check the chart, replace the part, and you are good to go for minimal cost.
Yes, I have tried steering a vehicle to include large trucks with not only no power steering but no engine power at all and a full load. You are correct. . .. . ..it isn't easy. . .. . ..my suggestion there then is to possible borrow a vehicle and then please go to Auto Zone (AZ) or O'Reilly's (OR) and use their tool check out program and get the code scanner. Check your codes, if you find something and you don't get it fixed and need to get back with us, please make sure you tell us exactly what the code was, number and all. Example, if the code was E0568 O2 Sensor bad. Again, Lord willing your car will have thrown a code. Now if it did not throw a code, we go on to the next check.
Now if you prefer, I can just provide you with several suggested things to change without checking for codes first but this may be a waste of time and money for you.
Just let me know which direction you would like me to go, and I will be more than happy to do that for you. However, I will still need the previous information I requested. To better assist you can you tell me if your model is a GS or LS and your engine size in liter and the 8th digit of your VIN.
I hope this gives you a better understanding and I apologize if you initially felt that you were not getting the proper care.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Friday, March 6th, 2009 AT 2:18 PM
