Check steering assist

HEARTATTACKLA

MEMBER
1999 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

V8 front wheel drive automatic 97,895 miles.

It has a v8 32 valve. I have had two messages on the dash that shows "check steering assist".
just about three months ago I had to have the rack-and-pinion changed twice because the first was manufacture defect. This is the second time since I have had the steering issue changed. These are certified trained mechanics, however, the mechanic is lost. I have not brought the car back into the shop again. They did check the steering right after the first message appeared, but they found nothing wrong. I can tell when this action happens as the steering gets hard the turn as if the power steering belt or pump has gone out? Just prior to the R-N-P trouble I had to have the power steering pump and the serpentine belt changed. I am lost. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Mike

2 Replies

GREGZ123

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I am having the same problem with my 1998 continental.
My mechanic thinks it might be a transistor that needs replaced, but he is not sure.

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Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 AT 1:37 PM

METALWYCH

MEMBER
1 POST

I was having this problem too (check steering assist warning and my power steering would stop working). I was all ready to start throwing money to replace power steering parts, but then a friend of mine who works at Ford told me this little tip that turned out to work great. The majority of times this issue is caused by a faulty alternator. Check the voltage (on the battery). Start your Lincoln, turn on the AC, lights and the radio. The voltage on the battery should be in the 13's (mine was in the 7's). If it is low, take your car (or remove the alternator and take it with you) to O'Rileys/Kragen (or any auto parts store that tests these, call them if you are not sure). If the alternator is not putting out enough power (mine was at 50% way low), replace it. It fixed mine check steering assist light and power steering not working all the time right away. And as an added bonus, my AC (which I thought needed recharging) is super cold once again. Hope this will be a help to someone.