Steering System - Electronic - Variable Power Assist: Diagnosis Dodge Intrepid II

SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM

Note. Self-diagnostic tests are written specifically for Chrysler's Diagnostic Readout Box (DRB) scan tool, which will be referred to as scan tool during testing procedures. A generic scan tool may also be used for system diagnostics, but may have limited diagnostic capability.

TEST 2A: SPEED PROPORTIONAL STEERING CIRCUIT OPEN OR SHORTED TO GROUND

Note. After each repair is complete, verify problem has been repaired by performing SPEED PROPORTIONAL STEERING SYSTEM VERIFICATION TEST .

The Body Control Module (BCM) provides a high current (up to one amp) pulse-width modulated signal to speed proportional steering solenoid as appropriate for vehicle speed (high current at low vehicle speed and low current at high vehicle speed). Due to temperature and solenoid tolerance, BCM needs to monitor and continually adjust feedback current. DTC is set when ignition is on, and no current is flowing through speed proportional steering solenoid when BCM is attempting to drive it.

1. Connect scan tool to data link connector. Start engine. Turn steering wheel and observe amount of assist. Using scan tool, turn speed proportional steering solenoid off for 15 seconds. Turn steering wheel, and observe amount of assist. If steering wheel was harder to turn while solenoid was off, go to next step. If steering wheel was not harder to turn while solenoid was off, go to step 3).
2. Speed proportional steering system is operating properly at this time. Check connectors at BCM and speed proportional steering solenoid for corrosion and lose terminals. If connectors are okay, check for short or open in Light Green/Pink and Violet/Orange wires between speed proportional steering solenoid and BCM. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-91408-S11160766982001031300000). Repair as necessary.
3. Turn ignition off. Disconnect speed proportional steering solenoid connector. Check speed proportional steering solenoid connector for corrosion or lose terminals. Repair as necessary. Using an ohmmeter, measure resistance between speed proportional steering solenoid terminals. Resistance should be between 5.7-6.3 ohms at 68°F (20°C). If resistance is as specified, go to next step. If resistance is not as specified, replace speed proportional steering solenoid.
4. Turn ignition on. Connect wire end of test light to battery power. Using test light, probe speed proportional steering solenoid harness connector positive side terminal (Violet/Orange wire). If test light illuminates, check for short to ground in Violet/Orange wire between speed proportional steering solenoid and BCM. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-91408-S11160766982001031300000). Repair as necessary. If test light does not illuminate, go to next step.
5. Using test light, still connected to battery power, probe speed proportional steering solenoid harness connector negative side (Light Green/Pink wire). If test light illuminates, check for short to ground in Light Green/Pink wire between speed proportional steering solenoid and BCM. Repair as necessary. If test light does not illuminate, go to next step.
6. Disconnect BCM connectors. Check BCM connectors for corrosion or lose terminals. Using an ohmmeter, check resistance between BCM connector terminals No. 3 and 4. (Scheme 2) If resistance is less than 100 ohms, check for short between Light Green/Pink and Violet/Orange wires between speed proportional steering solenoid and BCM. Repair as necessary. If resistance is not less than 100 ohms, go to next step.
7. Using an ohmmeter, check resistance in Light Green/Pink and Violet/Orange wires. If resistance is more than 5 ohms on either wire, check for open in Light Green/Pink and Violet/Orange wires between speed proportional steering solenoid and BCM. Repair as necessary. If resistance is not more than 5 ohms on either wire, replace BCM.

Scheme 2

TEST 3A: SPEED PROPORTIONAL STEERING CIRCUIT SHORTED TO VOLTAGE

Note. After each repair is complete, verify problem has been repaired by performing SPEED PROPORTIONAL STEERING SYSTEM VERIFICATION TEST .

The Body Control Module (BCM) provides a high current (up to one amp) pulse-width modulated signal to speed proportional steering solenoid as appropriate for vehicle speed (high current at low vehicle speed and low current at high vehicle speed). Due to temperature and solenoid tolerance, BCM needs to monitor and continually adjust feedback current. DTC is set when ignition is on, and current is flowing through speed proportional steering solenoid when BCM is not attempting to drive it.

1. Connect scan tool to data link connector. Start engine. Turn steering wheel and observe amount of assist. Using scan tool, turn speed proportional steering solenoid off for 15 seconds. Turn steering wheel and observe amount of assist. If steering wheel was harder to turn while solenoid was off, go to next step. If steering wheel was not harder to turn while solenoid was off, go to step 3).
2. Speed proportional steering system is operating properly at this time. Check connectors at BCM and speed proportional steering solenoid for corrosion and lose terminals. If connectors are okay, check for short or open in Light Green/Pink and Violet/Orange wires between speed proportional steering solenoid and BCM. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-91408-S11160766982001031300000). Repair as necessary.
3. Turn ignition off. Disconnect speed proportional steering solenoid connector. Check speed proportional steering solenoid connector for corrosion or lose terminals. Repair as necessary. Using an ohmmeter, measure resistance between speed proportional steering solenoid terminals. Resistance should be 5.7-6.3 ohms at 68°F (20°C). If resistance is as specified, go to next step. If resistance is not as specified, replace speed proportional steering solenoid.
4. Start engine and allow it to run for 10 seconds. Using a voltmeter, measure voltage between speed proportional steering solenoid harness connector negative side terminal (Light Green/Pink wire) and ground. If no voltage is present, go to next step. If any voltage is present, check for short to voltage in Light Green/Pink wire between speed proportional steering solenoid and BCM, and replace BCM.
5. Using a voltmeter, measure voltage between speed proportional steering solenoid harness connector positive side terminal (Violet/Orange wire) and ground. If no voltage is present, go to next step. If any voltage is present, check for short to voltage Violet/Orange wire between speed proportional steering solenoid and BCM.
6. Turn ignition off. Disconnect speed proportional steering solenoid connector. Disconnect BCM connectors. Check BCM connectors for corrosion or lose terminals. Using an ohmmeter, check resistance between BCM connector terminals No. 3 and 4. (Scheme 2) If resistance is less than 100 ohms, check for short between Light Green/Pink and Violet/Orange wires between speed proportional steering solenoid and BCM. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-91408-S11160766982001031300000). Repair as necessary. If resistance is not less than 100 ohms, replace BCM.

TEST 4A: SPEED PROPORTIONAL STEERING SOLENOID HIGH TEMPERATURE

Note. After each repair is complete, verify problem has been repaired by performing SPEED PROPORTIONAL STEERING SYSTEM VERIFICATION TEST .

The Body Control Module (BCM) Field Effect Transistor (FET) drives speed proportional solenoid and is self-protected from high temperature conditions. DTC is set when ignition is on, BCM detects a high temperature condition on its speed proportional output driver.

1. Connect scan tool to data link connector. Start engine. Turn steering wheel and observe amount of assist. Using scan tool, turn speed proportional steering solenoid off for 15 seconds. Turn steering wheel and observe amount of assist. If steering wheel was harder to turn while solenoid was off, go to next step. If steering wheel was not harder to turn while solenoid was off, go to step 3) .
2. Speed proportional steering system is operating properly at this time. Check connectors at BCM and speed proportional steering solenoid for corrosion and lose terminals. If connectors are okay, check for short or open in Light Green/Pink and Violet/Orange wires between speed proportional steering solenoid and BCM. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-91408-S11160766982001031300000) . Repair as necessary.
3. Turn steering wheel from lock to lock 10 times. Turn ignition off. Disconnect speed proportional steering solenoid connector. Check speed proportional steering solenoid connector for corrosion or loose terminals. Repair as necessary. Using an ohmmeter, measure resistance between speed proportional steering solenoid terminals. Resistance should be 5.7-6.3 ohms at 68°F (20°C). If resistance is as specified, go to next step. If resistance is not as specified, replace speed proportional steering solenoid.
4. Using ohmmeter, check for an intermittent short to ground in Light Green/Pink and Violet/Orange wires between speed proportional steering solenoid and BCM. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-91408-S11160766982001031300000) . Repair as necessary. If wire are okay, replace BCM.

TEST 5A: SPEED PROPORTIONAL STEERING SYSTEM FUNCTIONAL TEST

Note. After each repair is complete, verify problem has been repaired by performing SPEED PROPORTIONAL STEERING SYSTEM VERIFICATION TEST .

1. Connect scan tool to data link connector. Start engine. Turn steering wheel and observe amount of assist. Using scan tool, turn speed proportional steering solenoid off for 15 seconds. Turn steering wheel and observe amount of assist. If steering wheel was harder to turn while solenoid was off, go to next step. If steering wheel was not harder to turn while solenoid was off, check power steering pump operation (pressure). See «SPEED PROPORTIONAL STEERING SYSTEM VERIFICATION TEST»(ref-91408-S37639350782001031300000) . If power steering pump pressure is okay, replace BCM.
2. Speed proportional steering system is operating properly at this time. Check connectors at BCM and speed proportional steering solenoid for corrosion and loose terminals. If connectors are okay, check for short or open in Light Green/Pink and Violet/Orange wires between speed proportional steering solenoid and BCM. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-91408-S11160766982001031300000) . Repair as necessary.

SPEED PROPORTIONAL STEERING SYSTEM VERIFICATION TEST

Ensure all connectors are connected. Using scan tool, erase all diagnostic messages. Turn ignition on. Using scan tool, read trouble codes. If any trouble codes exist, perform initial checks. See INITIAL CHECKS . If no trouble codes exist, road test vehicle for at least 15 minutes. Perform several steering maneuvers at various speeds. Using scan tool, read trouble codes. If any trouble codes exist, perform initial checks. See INITIAL CHECKS . If no trouble codes exist, and symptom is no longer present, system is okay.