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Home >> Mercury >> 2009 >> Sable Base, AWD >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Steering >> Power Steering >> Steering System - General Information >> Diagnostic Tests >> Steering System >> Inspection and Verification >> Notes

Inspection and Verification: Notes

CAUTION: Do not hold the steering wheel at the stops for an extended amount of time. Damage to the power steering pump may result.
NOTE: The FEPS system does not affect power steering system noise or leaks.
NOTE: Make the following preliminary checks before repairing the steering system:
  1. Verify the customer concern.
  2. Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical or electrical damage.
    VISUAL INSPECTION CHART

    Mechanical Electrical
    • Drive belt
    • Drive belt tensioner
    • Fluid level
    • Intermediate shaft bolts
    • Power steering pressure lines, fittings or O-rings
    • Power steering pressure solenoid
    • Power steering pump
    • Power steering reservoir filter
    • Power steering return hoses and clamps
    • Steering column alignment
    • Steering column shaft U-joints
    • Steering gear
    • Suspension components
    • Tie-rod ends
    • Tire pressure
    • Tires
    • Steering effort control module (SECM)
    • Smart junction box (SJB) fuse(s):
      • 13 (7.5A)
      • 35 (10A)
    • Wiring, terminals and connectors
  3. Inspect the power steering fluid for the following conditions:
    4. NOTE: It may be necessary to add power steering fluid to achieve the correct level.
  4. Check the fluid level and clean the power steering components.

    With the ignition OFF:

    • check the power steering fluid level and add fluid as necessary.
    • wipe off any visible signs of fluid or residue build up.
      • CAUTION: Do not hold the steering wheel at the stops for an extended amount of time. Damage to the power steering pump may occur.
    • Start the engine and turn the steering wheel from stop-to-stop several times.
  5. Visually inspect the power steering hydraulic line/hose connections for leaks.
    • If a leak is detected at a threaded fitting, clamp plate joint or banjo bolt fitting, tighten to specification. If the leak is still evident, visually inspect the O-rings, Teflon® seals or banjo bolt washer seals. Install new O-rings, Teflon® seals or banjo bolt washer seals as necessary. Refer to POWER STEERING article.
    • If a leak is detected at a constant tension spring clamp, verify that the hose is not damaged and fully installed on the hose fitting. Make sure that the constant tension spring clamp is correctly positioned. If the leak remains, install a new constant tension spring clamp. Refer to POWER STEERING article.
    • If a leak is detected at a screw clamp joint, verify that the hose is fully installed on the hose fitting before tightening the screw clamp. If the leak remains, install a new screw clamp.
    • If a leak is detected at the power steering pressure switch, install a new switch. Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure.
  6. Visually inspect the power steering components for leaks.
    • If a leak is detected in the power steering pressure line or return hose, install a new hose. Refer to POWER STEERING article.
    • If a leak is detected in the power steering pump, install a new power steering pump. Refer to POWER STEERING article.
      • NOTE: On vehicles with rack and pinion steering gear, it may be necessary to remove the bellows boot clamp from the steering gear bellows boot to inspect for internal steering gear leaks.
    • If a leak is detected in the steering gear, install a new steering gear. Refer to POWER STEERING article.
    • If a leak is detected in the power steering reservoir, install a new reservoir. Refer to POWER STEERING article.
  7. For information on power steering leak detection, refer to Component Tests  .
  8. If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step.
    9. NOTE: Make sure to use the latest scan tool software release.
  9. If the cause is not visually evident, connect the scan tool to the data link connector (DLC).
    10. NOTE: The vehicle communication module (VCM) LED prove out confirms power and ground from the DLC are provided to the VCM.
  10. If the scan tool does not communicate with the VCM:
    • check the VCM connection to the vehicle.
    • check the scan tool connection to the VCM.
    • refer to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK article, No Power To The Scan Tool, to diagnose no communication with the scan tool.
  11. If the scan tool does not communicate with the vehicle:
    • verify the ignition key is in the ON position.
    • verify the scan tool operation with a known good vehicle.
    • refer to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK article to diagnose no response from the PCM.
  12. Carry out the network test.
    • If the scan tool responds with no communication for one or more modules, refer to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK article.
    • If the network test passes, retrieve and record continuous memory DTCs.
  13. Clear the continuous DTCs and carry out the self-test diagnostics for the SECM.
  14. If the DTCs retrieved are related to the concern, go to the STEERING EFFORT CONTROL MODULE (SECM) DTC CHART . For all other DTCs, refer to MULTIFUNCTION ELECTRONIC MODULES article.
  15. If no DTCs related to the concern are retrieved, go to Symptom Chart - Steering System  or Go to Symptom Chart - Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) .
STEERING EFFORT CONTROL MODULE (SECM) DTC CHART

DTC Description Source Action
B1317 Battery Voltage High Steering Effort Control Module (SECM)
NOTE: Jump starting can set this code.
Go to Pinpoint Test A .
B1318 Battery Voltage Low SECM
NOTE: A battery in a low state of charge can set this code.
Go to Pinpoint Test A .
B1342 ECU is Defective SECM INSTALL a new SECM. REFER to POWER STEERING article. CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test.
B2477 Module Configuration Failure SECM RECONFIGURE the SECM. REFER to Programmable Module Installation in MODULE CONFIGURATION article.
C192A Solenoid Actuator Circuit Failure SECM Go to Pinpoint Test B .
C192B Solenoid Actuator Circuit Open SECM Go to Pinpoint Test B .
C192C Solenoid Actuator Circuit Short to Battery SECM Go to Pinpoint Test B .
C192D Solenoid Actuator Circuit Short to Ground SECM Go to Pinpoint Test B .
C1933 Solenoid Current Out of Range SECM Go to Pinpoint Test B .
C195A Steering Angle Sensor Circuit Short to Battery SECM Go to Pinpoint Test C .
C195B Steering Angle Sensor Circuit Short to Ground SECM Go to Pinpoint Test C .
C1955 Steering Angle Sensor Circuit Open SECM Go to Pinpoint Test C .
C1956 Steering Angle Sensor Circuit Failure SECM Go to Pinpoint Test C .
U0073 Control Module Communication Bus A Off SECM REFER to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK article to diagnose the no communication concern.
U0100 Lost Communication with ECM/PCM SECM REFER to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK article to diagnose the no communication concern.
U0121 Lost Communication with ABS Module SECM REFER to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK article to diagnose the no communication concern.
U0126 Lost Communication with Steering Angle Sensor Module SECM REFER to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK article to diagnose the no communication concern.
U0155 Lost Communication with Instrument Cluster Control Module SECM REFER to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK article to diagnose the no communication concern.
U0212 Lost Communication with SWC Module SECM REFER to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK article to diagnose the no communication concern.
U2023 Fault Received from External Node SECM RETRIEVE any ABS, PCM or steering angle sensor module DTCs. If DTCs are present, REFER to the appropriate article for diagnosis. If no DTCs are retrieved, REFER to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK article to diagnose the communication bus.
U2050 Application Not Present SECM CONFIGURE the SECM. REFER to Programmable Module Installation in MODULE CONFIGURATION article. CLEAR any DTCs and CARRY OUT the self-test. If DTC U2050 is retrieved again, INSTALL a new SECM. REFER to POWER STEERING article.
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