Power Steering Assist Stops Working Intermittently

[bhenderson]

Anyone experience their power steering assist stop working? This mainly happens at slow speeds such as entering a driveway or garage where suddenly the steering wheel becomes very hard to turn. It does not happen all the time but at random. I took it to the local Ford dealer and they could not duplicate the problem. There is no sign of leakage and pump is not noisy.

[fordmike65]

I've had a few & it ended up being the VAPS module. Once it was the VAPS valve(not avail seperately from the steering gear,from Ford at least). Also check the VAPS valve connector for damage,oil contamination.

[bhenderson]

Thank you fo rthe info. I will check it out.

[justbob]

Thank you fo rthe info. I will check it out.

Also check the harness on the sensor that's located on the power steering line that loops from the drivers side to the passenger side, then back to drivers side, bottom of car, between the radiator and engine. If bad connection, it will do what you describe.


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[Marauderjack]

I think the VAPS defaults to VERY EASY steering....at least it did in my 2000 CV......SCARY easy at highway speeds!!:eek: My was never plugged in on assembly so plugging it in fixed it!!:bows:

Unplug it from the rack and see what happens??:confused:

[fireandice9008]

I'll be interested as to what you find out, as mine does it too. Mine does it while braking sometimes too though...

[babbage]

First thing I would try is some fresh power steering fluid. Get the lucas brand steering fluid. You can use a hand pump, turkey baster to remove fluid, add fluid, start car and turn wheel lock to lock. Do not let the pump run dry! Repeat process each lock. I used to get the occasional squeal from the steering pump at low speed steering manuvers -- but NOT after I flushed and filled with Lucas.

[bhenderson]

Well it turns out the air suspension control module stopped working (the rear of the car sat way high) and after replacing it, besides having a normal ride height the power assist seems to be back to normal. I confirmed it with the Ford dealer that on air suspension equipped cars, the VAPS module is part of the air suspension module. So if you are having issues with power sterring, you may start having issues with the rear suspension.

[bhenderson]

Well it has been over a week and since replacing the air suspension control module, power steering has been working fine also.

[fordmike65]

Well it has been over a week and since replacing the air suspension control module, power steering has been working fine also.

SWEET! Glad it worked out.