Installed AEM pullies but P/S problems!!! - Honda Prelude Forum

beenerachi · 07-19-2002, 12:37 AM

My power steering doesn't work, make noises, and the p/s fluid overflows.....and it looks like a shaken up Guiness beer.

What is going on!!! Is there air in my p/s hose or pump? If so, how do I get it out?

I know my p/s pump is adjusted so that the belt is not too tight. The lude also fluctuates idle between 1000 and 1500 rpms...sounds like KIT from Knight Rider!

Please help!

vtecprelude · 07-19-2002, 08:22 AM

There is no way that pullies did that. Something is wrong with the pump. It self adjusts the fluid while it's spining, all you have to do is turn the steerign wheel left and right a few times. Then just check the fluid and add if necessary.

beenerachi · 07-19-2002, 09:57 AM

Turned the steering wheels alot and drove around for about 12 miles, still doing it.....no power steering. However, the idle is almost back to normal.

Should I just drive around it more? Or should I remove the power steering pump and clean it out or something?

vtecprelude · 07-19-2002, 02:25 PM

I would take the car to a Honda dealer or some other reputable shop, it's unsave to drive. It's hard to conclude what's going on, but there is something wrong with ps pump or power steering rack under the engine.

beenerachi · 07-20-2002, 10:33 AM

Well, I just yanked out the P/S belt so now I don't have P/S anymore. But the car still fluctuates at idle from 1000 to 1500. Goes up and down.....very annoying now. And the alternator belt started squeeling. I'll tighten the belt but not sure if it'll solve this up and down idling problem...

4TH Gen_Type S · 07-20-2002, 11:24 AM

if the idle keep on going up and down (check your trottle body sensor cos most honda problem is the trotlle body sensor)

beenerachi · 07-20-2002, 02:00 PM

Well, I just tightened my alternator belt to what seems to be the correct tension and the weird idle went away. I think the when the alternator was too loose, the car was trying to compensate by reving higher every once in awhile....I know that sounds stupid, but then again the idle problem went away when I tightened the alternator belt this morning.

PDUNZ · 07-20-2002, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by beenerachi
Well, I just tightened my alternator belt to what seems to be the correct tension and the weird idle went away. I think the when the alternator was too loose, the car was trying to compensate by reving higher every once in awhile....I know that sounds stupid, but then again the idle problem went away when I tightened the alternator belt this morning.

That might sound right... Since the belt was loose, it may have been slipping . The load detector would have then raised the idle as it thinks it's not giving out enough (more drain than charge) and then idles back down.

(The load detector raises the idle when it detects a load on the engine say when you turn on your headlights,AC etc).

Now, onto that powersteering. Have you found out what is wrong?

vtecprelude · 07-21-2002, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PDUNZ

(The load detector raises the idle when it detects a load on the engine say when you turn on your headlights,AC etc).

Do you know the location of the load detector?

beenerachi · 07-22-2002, 09:02 AM

Well guys, the idling did stop for sure, but I haven't installed the power steering back on yet. My friend told me that the p/s system is self-bleeding so basically everything should be back to normal when I bolt everything back on.

I tightened all the bolts on the p/s pump and hopefully that'll solve the problem. I hate not having p/s cause it's a bizaaach to cut corners!

Prelude_RCR · 07-22-2002, 09:51 AM

Actually, I find it easier to feel the road w/o PS. The only thing is that it takes a few hard tugs to get out of a cramped parking space and parallel parking. But I rarely parallel park and I need the arm workout, so it all works out!

beenerachi · 07-22-2002, 09:03 PM

Oh crap, the fluctuating idle started again after driving it around....this is starting to piss me off! Should I tightened the tension on the alternator again? I don't have a tension guage so I don't know if the belt is too loose or not...does any know where I can get this tool? They don't have this at Autozone nor Checkers.

Anyway, I still haven't enabled the p/s pump yet 'cause I want to fix this first. Parking sucks! But I agree, with you Prelude_RCR, I also need the arm workout!

PDUNZ · 07-22-2002, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vtecprelude

Do you know the location of the load detector?

Its located on the bottom of the engine bay fusebox on the passenger side (might be underneith the fuseblock)..