pottsy

Yeah saw that conveniently placed outlet over the plugs, and an inch deep green high tide mark.....

Stroudism

Man, once again this forum saved me. Last night my power steering went out, AGAIN. It fixed itself last time just when I was about to clean the connectors like this thread mentions. So today I decided to actually do it for once. Luckily, I just got boosted, so I didn't even have to remove the intake tray. The connectors were staring me in the face just like Jeff said. So damn easy a caveman could do it.

Thanks again Jeff and everyone else who contributed info, pics, etc. This place is sweet.

PR_RX-8

Well, it happened again. I cleaned the plugs but my PS comes and goes as it pleases. Is this a clue that the wiring harness is done for, or I just should keep cleaning the connectors until it stops? Or worse, the PS control module might be dying???

Thanks in advance for any help!

pottsy

You might as well clean it again...just to be sure it is the harness. I didn't use that contact cleaner everyone has been raving about. Used a stock standard CRC cleaner product and compressed air to dry it out.

Noticed that the tie tag / zap strap that holds the connector in place on the actual unit was done up very tight when i had the problem. So much so that the connector wasn't in straight.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

PR RX-8: if you've cleaned it once before and it's happened again, I would look into replacing the harness.

laythor

did jeff end up replacing his rack?

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

No, same rack as last time.
Though, I imagine Lisa would prefer some other euphemism.

laythor

Lol

PR_RX-8

Thank guys. Will try cleaning 1 more time before replacing the harness.

invasion08

iTrader: (7)

I have a question for everyone that had a steering problem and replaced the harness. Did all of you have a Power Steering Light? My steering has been acting up lately and my car has never overheated.

On another thread the person problem was solved by greasing the lower steering joint. I looked but found no grease fitting, is it there and I am just not seeing it? I may just put some grease in it and see if that helps.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

how do you know your car's cooling system has never boiled over. do you have water temp gauges?

Mine never overheated either (I have temp gauges) but there was some level of coolant overflow which took out the harness.
The PS light was illuminated
I replaced the harness, haven't had a single problem with it since. ***knocks on wood***

invasion08

iTrader: (7)

I do not have a PS light. And I do not know for sure if my car never overheated or not, but the connectors looked clean and free of any coolant.

Mazurfer

Doesn't have to be coolant, but you know that.
If you get enough moisture in them, it could corrode the contacts just as easily.
Have you pulled the connectors apart to see how the contacts look?

spoddyandthemazda

i am the same mate, heavy steering when turning either side, no steering light on.
it appears as normal, got connectors cleaned, topped up the battery fluid and it worked for a few weeks, but has come back.

i have ordered a new harness so will see what happens.

but check your battery fluid is at the correct level, indicator on the side of the battery.

if you find out what it is let me know.

cheers

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

I probably gonna replace my harness too. The steering worked but lately, the steering shakes when it's cold out, and back to normal after about 10 minutes of driving. I reroute the coolant part about 1/2 year ago so damages has been done I guess. No biggie, planning to do a major tune up soon anyway

PR_RX-8

Update, cleaned everything again and it's working like a champ. Let's see for how long. This issue is so random, we should complain to Mazda and see if they do a recall like with the clutch pedal housing issue.

Mazurfer

^.............try to keep it as dry as you can now that it's working. Good luck!

invasion08

iTrader: (7)

Well it was not the wire harness, the lower U joint is binding up and ready to break.

Mazurfer

^..................ouch!



I guess it could be worse though.

spoddyandthemazda

interesting...i am experiencing the same problem, though the steering worked ok last friday and yesterday. i planned on greasing the UJ joint up. did you get it replaced or just greased?

alot cheaper than a new steering rack, glad you got it sorted, i got a new harness but as all ok i'll just hold onto it as may need it in the future.

invasion08

iTrader: (7)

Well since the weather has been cold here and no garage I took to the car to the dealership. I tried grease a few days prior with no such luck. The dealer called and said the U joint needed to be replaced. I told them to do it. Good thing to because the dealership called today and said the tech broke the steering column trying to remove the U joint. So Mazda is going to cover the cost of couse of the new column.

spoddyandthemazda

ouch it must have been pretty bad to have broken the steering column.
so can they tell you why it seized up to begin with?

i have never heard of it happening and own a 19 year old mx3 which has a little play in the steering but never anything like this.

i took my 8 to work today and the steering was ok, i do hear a little cracking noise turning when driving off sometimes but its not the light/heavy/light it used to be. i had removed the battery leads for 5 mins to clear everything in ecu and tightened the leads up and she has been fine since.

i'm gonna stick some grease in over the weekend and see how it goes, but it sounds like the U joint requires greasing over time i.e. at service intervals.

the dealerships may not have it as a requirement, unless it's at certain intervals?

but you're better off with a new steering column and joint as it could have broken on you on the road and don't even wanna think about what would have happened.

thanks for the info it certainly has helped me in my search to resolve this problem.

bixx66

iTrader: (1)

Ok Guys good info here especially about the connectors. I had the same connector problem and despite how many times I cleaned them, the power steering would work for awhile and then give out in a week or 2 afterwards. I finally just soldered some new wires in place and bypassed the connector itself. that worked well for a while but recently the dreaded steering light is acting up again. I realize that if I Switch off the engine and release the clamp that adjusts the steering column tilt and then switch on the engine again, power steering comes back and the light stays off. I can then clamp back my steering column into position and I am good to go...but I have to go thru this procedure every couple days.

Anyone has any idea why this thing with the steering column works ?
Also am thinking that I may have a short in the harness and may have to replace it- How much does a new harness cost ?

Thanks

Anyone has any idea why this works

invasion08

iTrader: (7)

The car is still at the dealership. The part should have been there friday, but it wasn't. Mazda told me its still in Cali and should be here monday. Lets hope so.

invasion08

iTrader: (7)

Well the part came in today and should be done today. But my luck the oil cooler line is leaking.