Steering seizes on highway, all emergency lights come on.

[TexasT4R']

So i get on the highway and see this OBS ford next to me and we both start accelerating and i get to about 70-75 when I'm about to get off on an exit and i hear a loud pop and my steering seizes up and i have to use a good amount of force to turn the steering wheel and all the dash lights come on, ALL of them, check engine light, oil light, ect. So i pull to the side of the road, turn the truck off and turn it back on and its like nothing even happened. No lights are on anymore and the steering is fine. What could've that been??

 

[OldManKamps]

So i get on the highway and see this OBS ford next to me and we both start accelerating and i get to about 70-75 when I'm about to get off on an exit and i hear a loud pop and my steering seizes up and i have to use a good amount of force to turn the steering wheel and all the dash lights come on, ALL of them, check engine light, oil light, ect. So i pull to the side of the road, turn the truck off and turn it back on and its like nothing even happened. No lights are on anymore and the steering is fine. What could've that been??

Well these trucks aren't electrical enough for any sensors in the steering but the only thing I can think of is that your engine died. Power steering becomes wicked stiff, all the dash lights come on when the key is turned but the engine isn't running. Somehow the engine coughed and stopped for a sec to do this? Or maybe you never turned it off and it died altogether, and that's why it was fine when you turned it back on again.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

So i get on the highway and see this OBS ford next to me and we both start accelerating and i get to about 70-75 when I'm about to get off on an exit and i hear a loud pop and my steering seizes up and i have to use a good amount of force to turn the steering wheel and all the dash lights come on, ALL of them, check engine light, oil light, ect. So i pull to the side of the road, turn the truck off and turn it back on and its like nothing even happened. No lights are on anymore and the steering is fine. What could've that been??

Yes your engine died. Why it died is another issue. I had a similar scenario on the highway and it would start until the next day and that was only because I gave it gas while I was trying to start it. Never did figure that one out.

 

[JayRolla]

Super loose battery terminal or maybe connection at alternator. Scary situation on the highway.

 

[jgue467]

I suspect this wouldn't have happened next to a NBS ford?!

 

[TheDurk]

Well these trucks aren't electrical enough for any sensors in the steering but the only thing I can think of is that your engine died. Power steering becomes wicked stiff, all the dash lights come on when the key is turned but the engine isn't running. Somehow the engine coughed and stopped for a sec to do this? Or maybe you never turned it off and it died altogether, and that's why it was fine when you turned it back on again.

Agree with everything except there IS a sensor in the P/S system, in the hose fitting that bolts onto the pump. I know, because I just had mine off. In the EWD it's labelled Power Steering Oil Pressure Switch and it connects to the ECM. There is no code listed for it, either OBDII or Body Code, so I honestly wonder what it does. I tried to find a mention in the FSM, and if it's there, I missed it. But it does exist. Anybody know?

I'm guessing the ECM raises idle speed if it reports low, like when you are parking.

 

[OldManKamps]

Agree with everything except there IS a sensor in the P/S system, in the hose fitting that bolts onto the pump. I know, because I just had mine off. In the EWD it's labelled Power Steering Oil Pressure Switch and it connects to the ECM. There is no code listed for it, either OBDII or Body Code, so I honestly wonder what it does. I tried to find a mention in the FSM, and if it's there, I missed it. But it does exist. Anybody know?

I'm guessing the ECM raises idle speed if it reports low, like when you are parking.

I bet you that's what it does! I didn't know there was a sensor there

 

[RogueYota]

I had this happen to a Fox body Mustang I had years ago. Turns out the positive battery terminal was loose and it was shorting out. The cable was warm to the touch which is how I figured it out. I removed the terminal, cleaned it, tightened it back up and never had another issue.

 

[Yoder68]

Agree with everything except there IS a sensor in the P/S system, in the hose fitting that bolts onto the pump. I know, because I just had mine off. In the EWD it's labelled Power Steering Oil Pressure Switch and it connects to the ECM. There is no code listed for it, either OBDII or Body Code, so I honestly wonder what it does. I tried to find a mention in the FSM, and if it's there, I missed it. But it does exist. Anybody know?

I'm guessing the ECM raises idle speed if it reports low, like when you are parking.

Idle Up?
My 99 will idle a hair faster if I turn the wheel a bit while sitting at a stop.
Maybe you guys are talkin about something else.

 

[TheDurk]

Idle Up?
My 99 will idle a hair faster if I turn the wheel a bit while sitting at a stop.
Maybe you guys are talkin about something else.

Maybe you are talking about what we are talking about and don't realize it.

What are you trying to say?

 

[UnderFire]

Agree with everything except there IS a sensor in the P/S system, in the hose fitting that bolts onto the pump. I know, because I just had mine off. In the EWD it's labelled Power Steering Oil Pressure Switch and it connects to the ECM. There is no code listed for it, either OBDII or Body Code, so I honestly wonder what it does. I tried to find a mention in the FSM, and if it's there, I missed it. But it does exist. Anybody know?

I'm guessing the ECM raises idle speed if it reports low, like when you are parking.

You're right there. It's right out in the open on the RZ motors. When it sees vacuum from the engine (AKA at idle or low RPM) it bumps the RPM up a bit when turning just to give the power steering a little assist. Nothing too complicated. Just a vacuum activated switch.

 

[Yoder68]

Maybe you are talking about what we are talking about and don't realize it.

What are you trying to say?

Yeah, we are talking about the same thing. I was trying to say that you can observe the effect the switch has on idle speed. With engine idling warm and AC off, turning the steering wheel causes idle speed to increase.

 

[TheDurk]

You're right there. It's right out in the open on the RZ motors. When it sees vacuum from the engine (AKA at idle or low RPM) it bumps the RPM up a bit when turning just to give the power steering a little assist. Nothing too complicated. Just a vacuum activated switch.

It's not engine vacuum on ours, though. It's in the hydraulic line.