I've read through several threads that others have posted regarding their power steering issues, however mine is quite different.

The problem started about 2 months ago...When I start my car, let it sit for a bit, and attempt to drive off, my wheel is difficult to turn to the left or right (mainly right for some odd reason...Turning left never gives me issues most of the time).

Once I begin to turn, either 1 of 2 things will happen:


1.) It continues to be difficult while turning, and will ease when straightening the steering wheel again, completely resolving the issue, and not happening again until the next morning...


or


2.) It will be difficult for about the first inch or two when turning the steering wheel that direction, and suddenly the wheel starts jumping in segments in that direction on its own...But once it's done, the steering is fine again, and will not happen for the rest of the day.



These issues only happen when I first use my car for the day...Mostly at about 6:30am when I leave for work, and it will not happen for the rest of the day...It only has about a handfull of times when leaving work.


So pretty much what I've been doing now is turning the wheel all the way to the left, and all the way to the right before driving off, that way the issue has had enough attention for the day, and won't bother me until the next morning.


I cleaned my sensors a few weeks ago, but that did not solve my issue.

I used to have coolant spraying around and having a party under my hood, but I fixed that problem about 4 months ago.


Any ideas?

 

you need an odbii +can diagnostic tool so you can take a look at the freeze frame data. that might give you a clue.

which sensors have you cleaned?

 

Every sensor that was shown in the DIY, as well as every other sensor I could possibly get my hands on that wasn't power steering related

 

lta,

It sound kinda similar to the beginnings of my issue with the lower u-joint. Just something to try that is nearly free, really easy to try, and will give you a quick answer in case this is the problem. Hose down your lower steering u-joint with WD-40 or some other spray lubricant and see if the problem goes away.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-steering-shaft-u-joint-regreasing-215141/

If it fixes the problem then it's probably just a temporary fix, and you then need the joint replaced. $50 + some labor time, far easier than I originally expected
DIY I wrote on it. https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-lower-steering-shaft-u-joint-replacement-217115/

 

I was concerened about the u-joint as well...I've already sprayed lubricant, however, I didn't do such a great job...lol...I didn't feel like jacking up my car (lazy moment), so i basically just placed my arm under and sprayed anything and everything.....

I was planning on doing it right today...Assuming the lazy bug doesn't bite me again.

 

I just bought a RX8 with 77k miles on Wednesday and on Friday I was driving my new lady and all of a sudden the steering wheel every time I took my hand off it would cut all the way to the left so afraid I had a flat or something I pulled over and got out of the car and checked the tires to find nothing. When I got in the steering was fine and stayed that way for about an hour of driving 7 straight hours. When I left work and had no power steering.
The next morning I decided to take the car to have the codes read and when I started it up the power steering was fine. I so I went and checked the codes and got 3
1) Intake manifold stammer control stuck open bank 1
2) Lost communication with vehicle immobilizer control module
3) Lost communication with panel cluster
As I was leaving the auto part store I started the car with no power steering. So I went to the lots garage and we looked at the codes and then cleaned all the terminals and connections. We then reset the codes and let it run for awhile and got nothing
Then I drove the car with no problem for about four hours out of town stopping every once in awhile to let the girlfriend "stretch her legs" and when we drove the came out from dinner the power steering was gone again. We then drove about 3 miles and stopped and when the car turned back on it worked just fine. its continued the same all night we would get in and it would work and then the next time I started the car it more than likely not work then it would.
Today we started back home and I let the car warm up when we went to leave the steering was fine until we stopped for a min and as we pulled in I noticed the steering was tighter not gone just a bit tighter and when we turned the car back on surprise surprise.
We stopped and checked the fuse and it looked good but I decided to replace it just in case but it didn't work. So now I have no idea what to do me now have an amazing car that I love with questionable steering

WHAT DO I DO

 

read this thread completely:

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...1&page=3&pp=15