500 Miles From Home And Power Steering Going Out

[914lps]

:cries: I apologize if this is not the place to post this or if this is considered a no-no, but I’m desperate! Help. I have no idea what to do. I’m on a road trip and my power steering is going out? I’m spending the night searching the internet and posting to find help. Please, Please, Please… HELP….I have a 91 LS400 about 100,000 miles. For the last few months after driving high speed in mostly straight roads. If I pulled off the highway and made a slow speed tight right turn, I would loose power steering for a second or two. This only happened after driving at least 80 miles and then not every time. And never on a left turn. I called a few dealers about it 3 had no idea. One told me to flush the power steering fluid. And the last one told me to bring it in and get ready to pay $2000.00 for a complete new power steering unit and rack! Thought the last guy was nuts. Took it to a locale guy to flush the system (I live 100 mile from the closest dealer). After the flush, the power steering was really bad when the car was at low rpm or at a stop. Garage told me air got in the line. Just drive the car and it will be O.K. air will work out of the lines. I have driven the car (500 miles). I have simply sat parked and turned the wheel left to right full lock over 50 times. It has been 2 days. Steering is getting worse not better!!!!! Also fluid looks really dirty?? Strange as it was not only replaced but flushed???? Reservoir is full. No fliud loss. Help. I have to drive another 800 miles. May arms are getting sore and this can’t be safe. Please any thoughts?????? System makes no noise or strange sounds runs quite. Works good at speed over 2,500 rmp. I have seen stuff about an assist valve, and screens to clean, but don’t know if this is the ticket or not. Any info on the location of the 3 screens that should be cleaned. Can this be done in a parking lot with basically a screw driver, pliers and a wrench… I’m on the road so not any real tools with me…. I’m in California by Magic Mountain now. Any good independents out this way???? I can stay in town and go to shop on Monday. Thanks to all and to all Happy motoring.

[ronsadvice]

So Sorry this has to be the way it is on Christmas Day! I live in Thousand Oaks and have had 20 years of experience with a local independent Toyota-Lexus specialist. On Monday, call Walt at Star Automotive - 805-498-7664.

Tell him you know me, Ron Johnson, describe your situation and see if he can give you any advice or help or even take care of it. It is about a 30 minute drive from Magic Mountain to Thousand Oaks so that is not too bad. Walt will shoot straight with you. Good Luck and let me know how it goes! Forget about the car for a couple of days and enjoy Christmas in California! Sincerely, Ron

[91ls400]

I had a similar problem on my 91 LS, turned out that the rack was shot, replaced for 2k at the local toyota dealer. The steering would die at extreme right turns and thats it, but over time it started to die randomly, until it was undrivable.

[99lsguy]

run a search on ...

Power Steering Solenoid

as this is surely very dirty, it needs to be cleaned and then flush the fluid again.

Unfortunatly, you are dealing with a 14 year old car that has NEVER had the PS unit flushed or serviced.........you would be in critical shape also.....

Use Valvoline Dex III for higher mileage cars for the flush

[914lps]

Love you guys! Thanks. I have been doing the research. I am positive it is the valve on the rack. I will call the guy in Thousand Oaks, again thanks. I use to live in the vally so I know the area. I'll try to injoy my time here, but I have gotten use to a place with no traffic. Not even on a Friday at 5:30 P.M...

Now for the latist:

Also strange, but the problem has almost gone away. I was making a right hand turn at about 5 miles an hour when suddenly I got my power steering back. I have driven about 50 miles today and it is staying good. Before I had no power steering under about 2,500 rpm. Now it is almost all back. I only loose power steering under 900 rpm. I am positive it is the assist valve located on the drivers side of the rack. I’m sure the screen on it was clogged and it is clearing itself. But I still plain on getting the unit fixed before I leave L.A. Again thanks for the help. It's got to be the valve etc., as if it was the pump or the rack it would not have come back. And I have no loss of fluid.

[Lexls]

Sorry to hear about this during the holiday...

Yeah, I think the screen on your steering rack is clogged. If the PS came back it probably means that the fluid found a way to get through. Even though it seems to work now you need to clean the screen ASAP. After that do a complete flush and you should be in business.

http://www.lexls.com/psflush.html

[lexus400]

High likelyhood it's the screen and you can get that cleaned in about 1/2 an

hour while you're on the road. If you buy some of those plastic "rhino" ramps

you could even do it in parking lot with minimal tools. Let me (us) know if you want

to do it yourself...

Bob

[914lps]

Again, thanks for the help and info. Bob I would love directions on doing it myself. I can always buy those ramps or a chip floor jack and stands from Auto zone or Pep boys.

[ronsadvice]

B) Heres hoping you had a good Christmas day! I am the guy that suggested you call Walt tomorrow. Please let me know how it goes with him. He is a very straight shooter and I hope he can be of good help to you. Ron

[914lps]

I will post the outcome for all to see. Again thanks. I'lll try calling Walt in the a.m.

[914lps]

Thanks to everyone that has been helping me. On Monday I tried calling the mechanic recommended to me. But Walt was out sick and I talked to a Brian. He did not sound like he knew about the Solenoid. As such I really did not want to make the drive out to him. I then called a friend I used to know in the valley. He builds race cars and does some work on American cars. He told me the lift was free and to come over with the info on how to do the work on the Solenoid.

It took more time to get the car on the lift then to remove the solenoid. Now that I have seen it done I would say that if you can change your own oil. You can do this.

Strange. On looking at the solenoid, we could see that it had been removed before (chisel mark on it). At any rate he removed it and cleaned it. On cleaning it we could see that on the last cleaning someone pushed two if the screens in.

We called around but it is almost imposable to get just the Solenoid. It only comes two ways. As part of the valve at around $500.00 to $600.00 or in a complete rack with the valve and Solenoid for about $400.00 though Lexus dealers.

I was not going to deal with a fast decision to spend $400.00 on a rack, and $300.00 to install. So we just put the cleaned solenoid back into the car.

It helped a small mount more. So now I even had some power even at a stand still, but it was not what it should be.

I then drove home.

I took this car over from my dad after his stroke. Going over the paperwork I found that at 60,000 miles Vista Lexus rebuilt the power steering pump. The car now has just over 106,000 miles on it. I called Vista this morning, and asked about the job. I was told that they always remove and clean the Solenoid whenever they replace or rebuild a pump. But they felt no responsibility about the screens. They told me that the screen deteriorate and get holes in them naturally over time.

So now we know that the dealers know about cleaning the Solenoid and it’s apparent relationship to pump failure.

I would love to hear all your thoughts on this and the comment the dealer made about the screen on the solenoid.

My plan:

Jack the car up on stands. Pull and re-clean the Solenoid. Check it electronically. In cleaning the Solenoid this time I will apply low current to it to open it when I clean it. I may even soak the top part in cleaner. As the screens are partly gone, it could have gunk in it. Then reinstall. Flush the system, and re-clean.

If this does not do it, and the unit checks O.K. electronically, then I’m stuck with a bad valve, and It’s time to do the full rack (they can be found rebuilt with warranty for $200.00 to $300.00). So, worst case I’m looking at a $600.00 bill, still better then $2,000.00 at a dealer.

If the Solenoid cleans O.K. and the system works I will still try to find a replacement one with good screens.

I’ll let everyone know the outcome. I have spent a lot of time finding out everything I could on this, and visiting at least 15 user groups around the world. I found the following information. As I never found it all in one post or on one site I thought it would be good to post it. Please understand this is from mutable sources and more then one contributor. I believe it is very accurate. But check for yourselves.

How to service Solenoid:

Disconnect the wires

Take a sharpie and mark a registration line across the nut & on the steering rack for positioning.

The Solenoid is connected by a thin nut, use either very thin channel lock pliers or just take a flat screwdriver or small chisel and "tap" the nut to loosen - then remove by hand.

Behind the solenoid or attached to it, will be the screen and a gasket, just be careful with it and remove. You'll loose 1/4 quart+ of PS fluid....a little messy, so be ready!

Clean the screen, replace, and tighten solenoid back to registration mark. Tap it back tight with the screwdriver or chisel you used.

Good cleaner to use:

Suggest 3-M Adhesive Cleaner instead of Brake Cleaner. The brake stuff is fairly 'mean' with toluene in it !!!! And it evaporates too fast for an overall cleaner. The 3-M product # is 08984 in a qt. or 08987 in a spray can

Reconnect electrical.

Then flush system.

Directions on flushing system:

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...power++steering

Or:

http://www.lexls.com/psflush.html

It takes about 7 to 8 quarts to flush most systems clean one time. Use Dextron III Transmission fluid. Valvoline makes a good one for High Mileage cars.

After flushing system it is best to re-clean the screen again.

Checking the Solenoid electrically:

Measure the resistance on the solenoid. It should be between 6 and 11 ohm. After this check the operation. Connect battery terminals to the solenoid. when you look at the connector the left one is - and right one is +. Check that the solenoid makes clicks sound.. don’t apply voltage for more then 30 sec otherwise you will burn it.. if you have to repeat the procedure wait till it cools down so you can touch it with your hand. If there is no click sound replace the pressure control valve with the solenoid valve.

Checking the power steering ECU. There is a PPS ECU specifically put there for the purpose of switching the solenoid on and off. Its located under the steering wheel right next to tilt & telescopic ECU. Check the voltage between the ECU - and ground connectors. - connector is in the upper left corner and ground is in lower left corner if you look at the connector while its plugged in into the ecu. voltage should be between 0.15 and 0.2 V with the engine idling. lift the car and put it in Drive. check the voltage while car running at 60 mph. it should be between 0.04 and 0.16 V. If its no you have to get yourself a new ECU. Don’t forget to check the wire from the ECU to the solenoid and make sure its ok might be just a wire problem

Picture of solenoid and nut (in this photo here he asks is this the Solenoid and do you pound here, the answer is yes) :

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...&cmd=si&img=217

If needed rebuild of Power steering pump:

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...?showtopic=9851

If needed information on the Air Control Valve (located on the side of the Power Steering Pump).:

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...36&hl=air+valve

and:

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...topic=10364&hl=

and this guy states he can get parts… I have no idea if he is good or bad…….

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread...threadid=125839

[monarch]

Another source of PS system trouble is a clogged filter screen inside the PS fluid reservoir. Remove reservoir and flush it out with brake cleaner. Air dry it then flush it out with Dexron auto trans fluid then reinstall.

[RFeldes]

Hey Monarch,

Can the reservoir be pulled without pulling the Pump?

[monarch]

Hey Monarch,

Can the reservoir be pulled without pulling the Pump?

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Yes: http://www.saber.net/~monarch/psreservoir.JPG

But access to the top most PS reservoir mounting bolt is tight unless the plastic cam / timing cover above the bolt is removed.

[RFeldes]

Thanks Monarch...Excellent pictures.. what a help. thanks again.

[914lps]

O.K. I made it back to Arizona. I pulled the Solenoid and cleaned it. I then flushed the system, and re-cleaned the Solenoid. The Solenoid seems to be working electrically. So does the EC in the steering column. But My power steering still sucks at idle speed. 99% of the time but every now and then it seems to pop back for a moment then go away again. I drained the Power Steering reservoir and looked in it . The screen and walls look like a mud hole. Nasty stuff. I do not have the time to try to pull the reservoir as suggested. I did hook up my shop vac to a thin hose and sucked a small amount off the screen but still real dirty. I’m wondering the likelihood that it is the screen or????? I will be in L.A. in a few weeks. I called some Lexus mechanics. They told me to pull the reservoir, it is about $200.00 for labor, and gaskets will need to be replaced???? I think I was getting a hose job. I’m thinking about printing out the info on this link and have my local auto guy pull the reservoir and clean it for my. Out hear the shop time rate is only $35.00 an hour and I’m not real good at doing my own stuff. Any thoughts???

[SKperformance]

you could replace the fluid and add an external tranny filter to the return line to remove existing sludge ,sounds liek someone added power steering fluid and gummed up the system real bad since it isn;t made for high temps like tranny fluid

[914lps]

you could replace the fluid and add an external tranny filter to the return line to remove existing sludge ,sounds liek someone added power steering fluid and gummed up the system real bad since it isn;t made for high temps like tranny fluid

←

:( I completely flushed the system today with Dextron III the one Valvalin makes for "high mileage" cars. If someone did put "power steering fluid" in the system. What is the fix? Would I just have to flush the system and clean the screens? If this was done, the car would have been driven about 800 miles maximum with a mix of Dextron III and power steering fluid in it. Also I heard there are 3 screens? Is this true? I know of the one in the reservoir, and the one on the solenoid. But the third one????? Would "Power steering" fluid mess up anything else? Do other damage???? I was thinking about an external filter. I'll hit the auto parts in a.m.. I'm sure AutoZone, or Kragen has a part. I hope the return hose comes of easer then it did today, when I flushed the system. Hay, stupid question??? I know I'll need a small piece of hose (and two hose clamps) for "splicing" the filter into the line. What size to I get. Would "Fuel" line work or????

Hay Monarch... If you read this. I have a question for you but the system would not let me PM you....

If I take the car to a locale mechanic to pull the reservoir and give him the print out from this forum. How long should it take the guy to do. Also what "parts" would he need to replace??? Like O rings or??? The guy here is a good mechanic, but I have the only Lexus in this town, so he really does not know the car. But If I bring him the "how to" info, it seems to go O.K. That is how I keep my 84 Saab running in this small town.

Also I want to say thank you again to you and the others. I have learned a lot. Your time, and sharing of information is appreciated.

[monarch]

you could replace the fluid and add an external tranny filter to the return line to remove existing sludge ,sounds liek someone added power steering fluid and gummed up the system real bad since it isn;t made for high temps like tranny fluid

←

Hay Monarch... If you read this. I have a question for you but the system would not let me PM you....If I take the car to a locale mechanic to pull the reservoir and give him the print out from this forum. How long should it take the guy to do. Also what "parts" would he need to replace??? Like O rings or??? The guy here is a good mechanic, but I have the only Lexus in this town, so he really does not know the car. But If I bring him the "how to" info, it seems to go O.K. That is how I keep my 84 Saab running in this small town.

←

I'm not a trained mechanic so I found it necessary to remove the radiator, serpentine drive

belt and air filter housing to gain access to the power steering pump and alternator. That job was rather time consuming because the coolant had to be drained, etc. But I've heard some mechanics know how to remove the PS pump and alternator without removing the radiator.

The Reservoir lifts off the pump after 3 x 12mm mounting bolts are removed. There is a seal of some kind where the bottom of the reservoir attaches to the pump, but it appears to be a reusuable seal rather than a fragile rubber 0-ring type seal (but I don't know for sure.) Other than that, there are no seals that are involved with removing either the PS pump or the Reservoir from the pump. Getting the PS return hose disconnected from the Reservoir is rather difficult for some do it yourself owners, but shouldn't be too hard for a seasoned mechanic.

I have not heard of a "third" filter in the PS system. I don't think an auxillary filter would be good to install until after the reservoir screen had been cleaned out.

On other toyota forums it has been mentioned by seasoned Toyota mechanics that it is vitally important to clean the screen inside the reservoir if the power steering system exhibits symptoms of lost assist or erratic assist. Also important to use Dexron II or III automatic transmission fluid

[914lps]

Thank you kind Sir!