2G Engine stalls when steering wheel at full lock.

[spyderdrifter]

So I've had my power steering back operational for a week now. Everything was fine until 2 days ago. The steering system has started emitting a groaning sound during start up at idle, and under engine load under 30ish mph. If I pull it out of gear while the car is moving, the groans go away until I put it back in gear. I couldn't sleep this morning so I went for a drive. My car stalled 5 times while the wheel was at full lock in both directions. I'm starting to get annoyed by this because I don't know why its acting up. Any ideas out there?

 

[blakkat]

Check the power steering pressure switch. I believe the fiav may play a role in power steering operation as well. How is your base idle?

 

[spyderdrifter]

My idle isn't ideal, but that's an on going issue I'm taking care of, along with replacing the seal inside the FIAV. However, before I got the P/S working again, the engine never stalled, even with the sparatic idle.

 

[blakkat]

Well when you turn the rack to full lock there is an additional load on the engine due to the sharp pressure increase, if the PCM doesn't know that your at full lock the engine will stall on most vehicles. Make sure your connections are all good on electrical sensors. Apparently the power steering pressure switch on this car is located on the pump.

Also, check your fluid level for the source of the groaning noise an look for any leaks. Sounds like the pump may be running low on fluid.

 

[spyderdrifter]

The only electrical component I've ever seen on a DSM steering system is the pressure switch. The rack is all mechanical, no other electronics. I am aware of the increased load at full lock, but this is rediculous, even when I got my foot on the brake and gas at the same time to prevent the stall, and it still happens.

 

[blakkat]

Alright, I'm just using my general knowledge about cars to help you here. I'm not a dsm expert but if that switch is toast then there's definitely a possible source of your issue. That's where I would start.

 

[spyderdrifter]

I wasn't getting mad or anything, so don't think I was I know a lot of newer cars cave electronics on every damn part. Was a good suggestion, just doesn't apply to our cars. I'll see what I can do for testing the pressure switch.

 

[blakkat]

Oh no man I didn't think u were, just saying trying to point you in the right direction, disregard the fiav comment , wasn't actually sure about it's function, I guess the Isc controls the idle bump you get when at full lock.

And yeah I know , my entire rack on my 2011 speed3 is entirely electronic, not even a mechanical pump haha. I would just back probe the signal wire on the power steering switch and have a friend turn it to full lock and look for a change in the voltage. Good luck let me know how it goes

 

[spyderdrifter]

Might have to hook the Verus up to it tonight at school, along with the back probing.

The FIAV comment did leave me clueless for a moment when I read it. I know what it does and all, but had to rethink it.

 

[blakkat]

Where do u go to school that has a verus? I wish my school had those wen I was still in automotive school. Haha

 

[spyderdrifter]

IntelliTec College. We got 3 of them and a few Solus and one other system, I forget which. I know its not the Modus. Comes in handy.

 

[blakkat]

Oh alright , I'm a Uti graduate, all we had were the modis , solus, and ethos. Tech schools are a great start though

 

[spyderdrifter]

I'm just going for the degree and a few courses I wanted to take. Already knew a lot of it, and now close to graduation. After this I get to go to a new school for something better.

 

[blakkat]

Yeah same here, Uti was just a gateway to BMW step for me, Uti doesn't give enough in depth to be able to fix everything on a car like a technician truly needs.

 

[spyderdrifter]

True. I'm not planning on being a mechanic though, done enough work on other people's cars. I'm going into industrial design since I wanted to be a car designer back when I was a kid.

 

[blakkat]

That's awesome, good luck man. Sounds like a good career path. Let me know if you find out what's wrong with the car.

 

[spyderdrifter]

No luck getting my car into the bay to hook up the Verus since we have other cars in there that we have to work on. However I did talk to the instructor for the steering course and he said the steering is probably fine, and its just stalling because of the extra load acting upon the on going idle issue I have. So I may just pull the steering belt back off until I fix the idle. Not sure on that yet though.