Steering System - Electronic Power: Description

NOTE: For information on steering rack and linkage, see STEERING SYSTEM - POWER article in the STEERING section.

The electronic power steering system senses vehicle speed and frequency of steering operation. System activates motor to supply required amount of fluid to vary assist force according to vehicle speed. Components in system include: motor, pump, steering angle sensor, speed sensor, signal controller and power controller. See Figure .

As vehicle speed increases, power steering system assist is reduced. System automatically selects one of 4 driving modes depending on average vehicle speed and frequency of steering operation. These modes include: high speed driving, suburban driving, winding road driving and city driving. Motor will not activate when vehicle speed is less than 6 MPH.

The electronic control logic configuration includes both an initial diagnostic function and a normal processing function to monitor input and output signals transmitted by various components. System includes self-diagnostic and fail safe functions.