I wanted to give everyone a heads-up. My power steering went out on my RX-8. The car was bought in March. Anyone have any ideas--the dealer has no idea.

 

Have you checked the tire pressure?

RotaryStalker

 

went out? Where did it go?

They sky is falling!!!


More info would be nice......did the PS system light come on?

What gives.........

 

Hey, that was quick, all. Thanks. The PS has been failing intermittently when I start up, both when the engine is hot or cold. Sometimes re-starting the engine has worked. Go figure. The first time it happened was during a very icy day. When the PS does work (most of the time), the steering feels "notchy."

 

Also--the power steering light does come on when there is a problem.

Help, fellow rotorheads?

--Sam

 

Take it immediately to the dealer! This is a safety issue. You don't want to lose PS at a bad time. If the light is coming on it sounds like the system is working properly in that it knows something is wrong.

 

Thanks, Red.

It's in the dealer, but they have no idea what's going on.

This is a big safety issue, and I'm hoping it's a freak occurrence.

--Sam

 

never mind... what I was going to say doesn't apply to electric power steering...

 

They don't need to have an idea what's going on - they just need to start replacing parts! The electric assist motor/steering shaft would be an extremely good place to start...

Regards,
Gordon

 

Yeah...what's up with the electric power steering anyway?

 

What do you mean?
Its just power steering.
The only difference is it uses an electric motor instead of a hydraulic pump and turbine.
Less drag on the motor (almost none, in fact), no fluid to monitor, its a sealed system with less failure points than traditional power steering and it can be directly modulated by the PCM to provide more or less assistance and feedback based on driving conditions.

 

tell them to give u a new rx8! If they have no idea, a new car would do me good and it solves the problem!

 

A new car would mean that I have to go thru that cruel break-in period. Thank God it was only 600 miles. I would have chewed my foot off if it was longer.

 

I agree the dealer should not have to figure out what's going on.. the technical service manual probably has diag steps to follow, especially when the warning light is on, and I would think the near to last step is 'replace the steering rack and assist module'

If they can't figure it out, they should replace it (steeing rack & related components) and get you back on the road... Replacing the whole car is a bit over the top.

 

The envelope please...Thank you, Vanna White...the dealer said the car needed an ECM replaced (??!!) and four parts later, I am driving fast and free again, with no notchiness in the steering.

I hope no one else is affected by this in the future.

--Sam

 

Can see a list of what they replaced?