DiscoQuinn

Hey Guys!

My name is Quinn and I recently acquired a '92 SC400. This is my first Lexus, though it will be replacing my old track car. The focus will be on weight reduction before power gain. I've joined to seek some technical advice, as well as buy and sell some parts.

My initial question is regarding power steering pump. The pump on my 1UZ is damaged, squeels and for some reason in reverse stalls the car when trying to maneuver into a parking space. I'm assuming there is some sort of engine kill when it detects too much resistance from the pump. What signal is the ECU looking for in regards to checking the pump's resistance if this is the case?

Thanks!

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

The only way you're dying in reverse with belt squeal could be electrical related is if you have practically no ground connection left on the negative side and you are losing all power when the alt goes low on the squeal.

I'd find some other phenomenon to blame.

DiscoQuinn

The pump sputters, and the feel of the steering in the car is like the power steering is going on and off. At full lock the pump whine very loudly, and thats when the car will stall.

I'm curious if the previous owner might have not put in the correct power steering fluid. I've read somewhere that it's actual Dexron 3 ATF fluid?

Edit: After some browsing, I am having the same problem as this:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/2419761-post33.html

I'm just a bit curious where this Banjo connection is located:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/2444278-post41.html

It appears to be located up near the PS pump. Hmmm.

DiscoQuinn

A bit of an update: Curious to why my upper rad hose is collapsing after warming the car up.

xxtoobsxx

iTrader: (4)

^^^ my guess would be air in the system. Fill it with fluid by the thermostat and let it push out all the air!!!

DiscoQuinn

Bled the system with both the aftermarket overflow open and the bleed point above the thermostat. Seems to be fine now.

Next on the list: Determining where the squeal is coming from. My guess, is most likely the power steering pump. It seems to froth over and leak around the power steering reservoir cap. It makes quite a bit of racket too, sounds like the bearing might be dead.

DiscoQuinn

Oh, this is a build thread as of......now.

"Quinns Big Corolla" shall be the title.

Plans of Action:

#1. Part out unneeded items,

#2. Clean up, resell.

#3. Part out car entirely.


First steps:

-Sort out power steering
-Properly bleed cooling system

Approximate weight: 3600lbs
Approximate Power: 260hp

Actual Current Weight: 1630kg 3593lb (3600lbs. lol)
Actual Current Power: N/A

Goal weight: Sub 3000lbs
Goal HP: Stock

Rough plan #1:

-Strip unessential weight
-Leave motor stock
-Lower
-Wider
-More lock

Big car is big!

Ali SC3

iTrader: (10)

have you tried bleeding the PS system?
I am 99% sure you have air in the system I have dealt with the same problem before.
Mine squeeled so loud and I had no power steering for 2 days after relocating my reservoir.
Problem was i was trying to bleed with the wheels on the ground.
Put the front wheels up in the air, top off PS reservoir, turn it repeatedly from full lock to full lock, the noise should go away as the air gets out, and your power steering will become good again. you know you are mostly done when there is no noise, especially at full lock.

Once your PS is working properly your car shouldn't stall, right now its too much of a drain on the system.

DiscoQuinn

Great, I'll give that a try!