Symptom Chart

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Lincoln LS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SYMPTOM CHART

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
No communication with the front electronic module (FEM)	Circuit FEM	REFER to MULTIFUNCTION ELECTRONIC MODULES .
Unable to enter self-test	Front electronic module (FEM) Diagnostic tool	REFER to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK .
Hard steering or lack of assist (no DTCs present)	Seized lower steering column shaft U-joints	INSTALL a new lower steering column shaft. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Damaged or fractured steering column bearing(s)	INSTALL a new steering column. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Power steering pump	Go to COMPONENT TESTS, PUMP FLOW AND PRESSURE TEST in this article .
	Suspension components	REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION for suspension system diagnosis and testing.
	Steering gear internal leakage	Go to COMPONENT TESTS, PUMP FLOW AND PRESSURE TEST in this article .
	Variable assist power steering (VAPS) circuits 8-CE9 (WH/GN) and 9-CE9 (BN/GN)	GO to PINPOINT TEST C .
	Low power steering fluid level	FILL the power steering fluid reservoir.
	Restricted power steering pressure line	REPLACE the power steering pressure line. REFER to POWER STEERING .
Steering system noise	Low fluid level Fluid aeration Steering gear Power steering pump Loose or damaged steering linkage Loose or damaged suspension component(s) Steering column Steering column boot bearing Intermediate shaft Loose dash boot seal	GO to PINPOINT TEST D .
Steering is very difficult/very easy	Seized intermediate shaft U-joints Damaged or fractured steering column bearing(s) Steering gear Power steering pump Power steering hoses Binding dash boot seal Variable assist power steering circuitry	GO to PINPOINT TEST E .
Excessive steering wheel play	Steering gear Steering column Steering column intermediate shaft Steering linkage Ball joints	GO to PINPOINT TEST F .
Steering system drift/pull/wander	Unevenly loaded vehicle Tire pressure Wheel alignment	CORRECT the vehicle loading as necessary.
Steering system drift/pull/wander	Steering gear Steering column intermediate shaft Frame alignment	GO to PINPOINT TEST G .
Feedback	Loose, worn, or damaged tie-rod	Go to COMPONENT TESTS, TIE-ROD ARTICULATION TORQUE in this article .
	Loose, worn, or damaged tie-rod ends	Go to COMPONENT TESTS, STEERING LINKAGE in this article .
	Loose or damaged steering gear insulators or bolts	INSTALL new steering gear insulators or bolts if necessary, or TIGHTEN the bolts as needed.
	Loose lower steering column shaft U-joint or pinch bolts	INSTALL new lower steering column shaft and bolts or TIGHTEN the bolts. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Loose suspension bushings, fasteners, ball joints, or strut bearing plate (if applicable)	INSTALL new as necessary. REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Worn or damaged steering column bearing(s)	INSTALL new steering column bearing(s). REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Poor returnability/sticky steering	Binding lower steering column shaft U-joints	INSTALL a new lower steering column shaft. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Loose, worn, or damaged tie-rod	Go to COMPONENT TESTS, TIE-ROD ARTICULATION TORQUE in this article .
	Loose, worn, or damaged tie-rod ends	Go to COMPONENT TESTS, STEERING LINKAGE in this article .
	Suspension components	REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION for the suspension diagnosis and testing.
	Binding steering column bearing(s)	INSTALL new steering column bearing(s). REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Binding dash boot seal
Shimmy	Loose, worn, or damaged tie-rod end	Go to COMPONENT TESTS, STEERING LINKAGE in this article .
	Loose, worn, or damaged tie-rod	GO to COMPONENT TESTS, TIE-ROD ARTICULATION TORQUE in this article .
	Suspension components	REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION for the suspension diagnosis and testing.