Power Steering System Description and Operation Electronic Power Steering

The power steering system reduces the amount of effort needed to steer the vehicle. The system uses the powertrain control module (PCM), body control module (BCM), power steering control module (PSCM), discrete battery voltage supply circuit, steering shaft torque sensor, steering wheel position sensor, power steering motor, driver information center (DIC), and the serial data circuit to perform the system functions. The PSCM and the power steering motor are serviced as an assembly and are serviced separately from the steering column assembly. The steering shaft torque sensor and the steering wheel position sensor are not serviced separately from each other or from the steering column assembly. The steering column assembly does not include the power steering motor and module assembly.

The power steering control module (PSCM) uses the steering shaft torque sensor as it's main input for determining steering direction and the amount of assists needed. The steering column has an input shaft, from the steering wheel to the torque sensor, and an output shaft, from the torque sensor to the steering shaft coupler. The input and output shafts are separated by a section of torsion bar, where the torque sensor is located. The sensor is a 5-volt dual analog inverse signal device with a valid signal voltage range of 0.25-4.75 volts. When applying torque to the steering column shaft during a right turn, the sensor's signal 1 voltage increases, while the signal 2 voltage decreases within the valid signal voltage range. When applying torque to the steering column shaft during a left turn, the signal 1 voltage decreases, wile the signal 2 voltage increases within the valid signal voltage range. The PSCM recognizes this change in signal voltage as steering direction and steering column shaft torque.

The power steering control module (PSCM) uses the steering position sensor to determine the steering system on center position. Since the power steering motor provides a slight amount of return to center assist, the PSCM will command the power steering motor to the steering system center position and not beyond. The sensor is a 5-volt dual analog triangle signal device with a valid signal voltage range of 0-5 volts. The sensors signal 1 and signal 2 voltage values will increase and decrease within the valid voltage range, and stay within 2.5-2.8 volts of each other as the steering wheel is turned.

The power steering motor is a 12-volt brushless DC reversible motor with a 65-amp rating. The motor assists steering through a worm gear and reduction gear located in the steering column housing.

The power steering control module (PSCM) uses a combination of steering shaft torque sensor input, vehicle speed, calculated system temperature and steering tuning to determine the amount of steering assist. When the steering wheel is turned, the PSCM uses signal voltage from the steering shaft torque sensor to detect the amount of torque and steering direction being applied to the steering column shaft and then command the proper amount of current to the power steering motor. The PSCM receives a vehicle speed message from the powertrain control module (PCM) via the serial data circuit. At low speeds more assist is provided for easy turning during parking maneuvers. At high speeds, less assist is provided for improved road feel and directional stability. The PSCM nor the power steering motor are designed to handle 65 amps continuously. If the power steering system is exposed to excessive amounts of static steering conditions, the PSCM will go into a protection mode to avoid thermal damage to the power steering components. In this mode the PSCM will limit the amount of current commanded to the power steering motor which reduces system temperature and steering assist levels. The PSCM must also be setup with the correct steering tuning which are different in relation to the vehicles powertrain configuration, sedan, coupe, tire and wheel size etc. The PSCM has the ability to detect malfunctions within the power steering system. Any malfunction detected will cause the driver information center (DIC) to display the POWER STEERING warning message and/or the service vehicle soon indicator.

Power Steering System Description and Operation Hydraulic Power Steering

The hydraulic power steering pump is a constant displacement vane-type pump that provides hydraulic pressure and flow for the power steering gear. The hydraulic power steering pumps are either belt-driven or direct-drive, cam-driven.

The power steering fluid reservoir holds the power steering fluid and may be integral with the power steering pump or remotely located. The following locations are typical locations for the remote reservoir:

The 2 basic types of power steering gears are listed below:

In the recirculating ball system, a worm gear converts steering wheel movement to movement of a sector shaft. A pitman arm attached to the bottom of the sector shaft actually moves one tie rod and an intermediate rod move the other tie rod.

In the rack and pinion system, the rack and the pinion are the 2 components that convert steering wheel rotation to lateral movement. The steering shaft is attached to the pinion in the steering gear. The pinion rotates with the steering wheel. Gear teeth on the pinion mesh with the gear teeth on the rack. The rotating pinion moves the rack from side to side. The lateral action of the rack pushes and pulls the tie rods in order to change the direction of the vehicle's front wheels.

The power steering pressure hose connects the power steering pump union fitting to the power steering gear and allows pressurized power steering fluid to flow from the pump to the gear.

The power steering return hose returns fluid from the power steering gear back to the power steering fluid reservoir. The power steering return line may contain an integral fin-type or line-type power steering fluid cooler.

In a typical power steering system, a pump generates hydraulic pressure, causing fluid to flow, via the pressure hose, to the steering gear valve assembly. The steering gear valve assembly regulates the incoming fluid to the right and left chambers in order to assist in right and left turns.

Turning the steering wheel activates the valve assembly, which applies greater fluid pressure and flow to one side of the steering gear piston, and lower pressure and flow to the other side of the piston. The pressure assists the movement of the gear piston. Tie rods transfer this force to the front wheels, which turn the vehicle right or left.