Electrical faults *airbag, abs, and power steering assist*
 

Hi SVX board,

I recently bought a 92 SVX LSL (with a 6sp conversion!) and it has some electrical gremlins. The airbag light is on, the ABS light is on, and I believe the power steering speed assist is also affected because there is no squeeling or leaks and the pump has plenty of fluid in it. At low speeds there is almost no power assist and then at higher speeds it feels normal. So I am assuming it is stuck in high-speed low-assist mode. The previous owner stated that the car blew a fusable link at one point as well. Any suggestions on where the first place you would look? Is this a common issue? Seems like whatever blew wiped out multiple circuits.

Thanks,
Chad

Re: Electrical faults *airbag, abs, and power steering assist*
 

Well you mention fuseable link. Check all your fuses (in the engine bay) and kickpanel near your foot first to see if it's not something simple.

Next I would check error codes for power steering, airbag, and abs.

Re: Electrical faults *airbag, abs, and power steering assist*
 

Has it just had a reconditioned alternator on it.?

Harvey.

Re: Electrical faults *airbag, abs, and power steering assist*
 

Greetings Chad,

You advise that the ABS light is on, I presume when the car is running. This can only occur as a result of a short to ground in the wire to the light from the ABS control unit, or a fault within the ABS CU. This constitutes a vital clue.

As there are other issues, one would consider damage to more than one conductor within loom as being a possible logical answer. Disconnect the ABS CU as a means of eliminating it from the equation and observe the result. If the light remains illuminated, you can be sure of a short in the wiring. If you find evidence of a past repair, examine same very carefully, having in mind the report regarding a previous open fusible link.

Iver Clue is your friend on this one :D Good hunting, Trevor.

Re: Electrical faults *airbag, abs, and power steering assist*
 

I was thinking that it may have had a voltage regulator runaway, that blew the fuse and damaged a few units.

Repaired the fuse, but. :eek:

Harvey.

Re: Electrical faults *airbag, abs, and power steering assist*
 

I believe this may be the case. The owner mentioned having the alternator rebuilt shortly after the fusible link blew and mentioned a possible over voltage scenario. So this over voltage problem is not wiping out any other circuits currently so I believe the damage has been done. Should I assume the ABS controller, the airbag controller, and the speed sensitive steering controllers are toast? I will try Trevor's advice of disconnecting the ABS CU to see what that tells me.

Re: Electrical faults *airbag, abs, and power steering assist*
 

I don't think any more trouble will happen, as the faulty regulator has been replaced. :)
When it happens, there is a high voltage, high current flow through the system, what ever was running at the time, could be affected. Relays get welded together, unprotected units are affected. The ECU seems to be protected enough to survive.

Harvey.

Re: Electrical faults *airbag, abs, and power steering assist*
 

So I found a bad fuse for the ABS and now my power steering works and the ABS light is out!! This car is 100x more enjoyable to drive with power steering assist of course.

The rear wiper fuse was blown and I put a new fuse in (with the ignition off) and watched it cook as soon as i put it in. I am guessing it is one of the little control boxes that are mounted near the rear wiper/deck lid or the wiper motor itself. The horn still does not work and the airbag light is still on. What would you try next?

Also, the previous owner stated that the horn would not stop going off around the time he was having problems. Could be a clue there.

Re: Electrical faults *airbag, abs, and power steering assist*
 

Sounds like he disconnected the horn by unplugging the wires under the steering wheel cover. I would check the SRS airbag connector while you are in there too.
Be very careful...unplug the fuse #8 and #16 when you are working with any part of the airbag system and also disconnect the neg. batt. cable and wait at least 10 minutes before tampering with the steering wheel.