Description & Operation
Variable Effort Steering (VES) system varies the effort required by the driver to turn the steering wheel, providing a firmer steering (road) feel and improved directional stability at higher vehicle speeds.
As vehicle speed increases, VES system decreases the amount of pump pressure applied to steering gear assembly to increase steering effort and improve steering feel. As a safety feature, the VES control module can detect when a sudden turn is made (such as in an evasive maneuver), by input from steering wheel rotation sensor. The control module then signals the VES actuator to allow increased pump pressure to the steering gear, thus decreasing steering effort.
VES system consists of a VES control module, VES actuator, steering wheel rotation sensor and Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS). VES control module receives inputs from steering wheel rotation sensor and vehicle speed sensor (VSS). Based on inputs from these sensors, VES control module cycles VES actuator on and off.
When VES actuator is off (de-energized), full pump pressure is allowed to flow through pump's high pressure line outlet, increasing fluid pressure to the steering gear. See Fig 1 . When VES actuator is on (energized), fluid by-passes pressure line outlet and is routed back into pump, decreasing fluid pressure to the steering gear.
| Component | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Wheel Rotation Sensor | In Engine Compartment, At Base Of Steering Column | ||
| VES Actuator | At Pump Pressure Line Outlet | ||
| VES Control Module (1) | To Left Of Steering Column, Above Fuse Block | ||
| VSS Control Module | To Left Of Steering Column, On Top Of Convenience Center | ||
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