[jayoldschool]

Since mid March, my car has had intermittent low steering boost when stationary. No problem once rolling, even at the lowest speed. Yesterday, I had it back at the dealer for their third attempt at aligning the steering wheel correctly, and the boost completely gave out. They wanted to keep the car to diagnose, I needed to get home. This failure is not the intermittent like before. ZERO boost, at any speed. I'm sure that being at the dealer was just a coincidence. So, it's now time to troubleshoot and fix it.

I see there are LOTS of threads with this issue. Causes mentioned include bad battery, failed pump, chafed wiring, low fluid (and probably more that I am missing). I have looked at the wiring that passes over the front of the drivers' lower A arm. It is fine, no rubbing. Pump fluid level is in between cold and hot. No noise from pump. Alternator is not making the death whine. When I checked things yesterday in the garage, it looked like the HIDs were not turning when I was cranking the wheel around.

I can't check ProDemand today, I'm at home for a couple days. I will be back at work on Monday. In the meantime, does anyone have any thoughts for me on causes/fixes?

 

[jayoldschool]

First update. Went out and checked battery. 12.26 measured at the posts. Low. I've got the CTEK on it now, will update.

I have looked at the DIC a bunch of times to see the resting/starting/operating voltages due to all the Padgett (and others) discussions. I remember it being as low as just under 12V at rest, going to around 15V when started, and settling in at mid 14V when driving.

This may just be a coincidence, of course... but I'd rather replace a battery than a pump, lol.

 

[Padgett]

Just like my other good German cars (have a pair of mercs, one cruiser/one project), very sensitive to the battery and always remove negative cable first/replace last.

I put one of these in the dash lighter socket so do not have to tie up the DIC. Surprising the dash has an oil pressure guage and no voltmeter.

 

[TheFlash]

The first time I had a bad power steering pump there was no Prw/Srt at low speed but it did work some when moving, the pump had to be replaced. When a pump wears out all the worn parts are in the hydraulic system there is no filter. The car was still under warranty so they replaced the rack/pinion too.

when I had low battery voltage because the alternator was not working correctly, the digital display would read "Power Steering failure". and did not work at low engine speed. A bad battery will do the same thing. Did you get any reading like that?

 

[jayoldschool]

No message on the DIC like others have had about the steering.

I have had one random "Stabilitrak Disabled" about a month ago, right after I did the control arms. Popped on, then off at next key cycle. I was worried that it was another wheel bearing, but everything seemed fine. When I scanned it after that, it was a random communication error that results in the the Stabilitrak Disabled message. Haven't thought more about it until now.

My good scanner is at work, I'll scan it on Monday.

 

[jayoldschool]

Second update: battery is charged. Started car. No change in steering.

 

[jayoldschool]

Last update before working on it. Scan shows C0561, C0400. Nothing really conclusive.

Bringing it in to have a look at it tomorrow. I'll probably start with checking the pump flow. If anyone has any thoughts or advice, LMK!

 

[jayoldschool]

Cleared codes. Double checked fluids. Fluid is clear, and level is good. No pump noise. And... power steering returned on my 40 min drive to work. Seems fine now. Codes have not returned. So... failing pump? Rack? Steering column sensor? The electrical connection on the rack? Or... see post #8 in this thread. The PDF doesn't work any more, so what is that solenoid he is talking about? I don't see a solenoid on Rockauto (nor on ProDemand)

https://www.cadillacforums.com/foru...-2008-cts-1sa-intermittent-steering-bind.html

 

[Long]

Cleared codes. Double checked fluids. Fluid is clear, and level is good. No pump noise. And... power steering returned on my 40 min drive to work. Seems fine now. Codes have not returned. So... failing pump? Rack? Steering column sensor? The electrical connection on the rack? Or... see post #8 in this thread. The PDF doesn't work any more, so what is that solenoid he is talking about? I don't see a solenoid on Rockauto (nor on ProDemand)

https://www.cadillacforums.com/foru...-2008-cts-1sa-intermittent-steering-bind.html

Sucks that all the good links seem to be busted. Check out GMPARTSDIRECT, they list a solenoid (line item 7 under steering gear & linkage)...https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/auto-...emium-trim/3-6l-v6-gas-engine/steering-cat/st

 

[jayoldschool]

Thanks!

https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-p...0cyZ5PTIwMTEmdD1wcmVtaXVtJmU9My02bC12Ni1nYXM=

Wonder if that would cause my issues...

 

[Long]

Thanks!

https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-p...0cyZ5PTIwMTEmdD1wcmVtaXVtJmU9My02bC12Ni1nYXM=

Wonder if that would cause my issues...

Well, according to the thread you uncovered it should.
Would certainly be nice to have conclusive results from someone with a positive post history. :thumbsup:

 

[jayoldschool]

Any idea what the function of that solenoid is? I'm hoping "causes variable flow to the rack".

 

[Long]

Any idea what the function of that solenoid is? I'm hoping "causes variable flow to the rack".

Not a clue.
Just trying to offer help with the clues given.

Fingers crossed for you though. Kinda' pricey to "fire the parts cannon" LOL

 

[jayoldschool]

Yep, need to decide if I load with solenoid, wheel sensor, or pump... lol

Crazy there doesn't seem to be a trouble shooting tree for this in the manual. Big thing on how to test pump flow, though (with a "J" tool, of course).

 

[Long]

Yep, need to decide if I load with solenoid, wheel sensor, or pump... lol

Crazy there doesn't seem to be a trouble shooting tree for this in the manual. Big thing on how to test pump flow, though (with a "J" tool, of course).

Should be fairly simple then---Aren't all the tools you own "J" tools?

 

[jayoldschool]

Ha! Yes... just not the J I need. My J tool for this one will be a crowfoot and a bucket. A good way to flush out the old fluid. If the flow is good, I'll lean toward that mysterious solenoid. Drove fine again today...

While we're at it, have a look at the link you posted for me. I may be crazy, but not sure if I see a #7 solenoid for Wagon W/AWD. I see sedan/AWD, and wagon w/o AWD. Oops, maybe NVM. Seems to be the same PN for both!

 

[Long]

I saw that when I checked my link after posting.
Did a double take on it as well.

 

[jayoldschool]

Look what I found! DEEP at the bottom of many, many pages.

 

[jayoldschool]

Look what I found! DEEP at the bottom of many, many pages.

 

[CaddyFred]

Good find! I hope that solves your problem.