Questions about the switch on the steering rack

[DPHRAG]

Hi, I have a few questions,

For one, how does the switch on the power steering rack work? My SHO idles at about 950rpm according to the tach. I have never noticed the power steering dragging the engine down at idle. I never really use the AC or anything either. Currently that switch is unplugged and I can't tell a difference. Does this mean something else isn't working right?

If that is not the case and it doesn't make much difference, is there anyone who has an extra rack or an extra switch laying around that could check the threads for me and see what I would need to use for a plug? I know, I should do it myself, but it is my only car right now and I don't think the hardware store would like it if I spilled a bunch of PS fluid in their parking lot

Thanks a ton guys.

 

[93rev2sev]

http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=186

 

[Kens1992mtxSHO]

Pretty neat stuff...

 

[DPHRAG]

Actually, I don't have VAPS. I meant the switch on the rack that bumps the idle up. Thank you though

 

[gmorrell]

Actually, I don't have VAPS. I meant the switch on the rack that bumps the idle up. Thank you though

If it's working right, it should bump up the idle a bit if you heavily load the power steering, say, by rapidly sawing the wheel back and forth when the vehicle isn't moving. The switch looks at the PS pressure to see if there is a high load on the hydraulics. With the switch unplugged, it can't do anything. Normal idle is 600, and if your tach is to be trusted, the 950 RPM idle may already be too high for the PSPS to have any effect.

Try loading down the engine with the AC and a lot of electrical loads, then see if the idle changes when you work the steering. I've always thought the operation was pertty subtle on my 89 MTX, and without the additional drag of an ATX torque converter, who knows, the PSPS might not be necessary.

VAPS = Variable Annoyance Power Steering - I made that up.