Steering Issue 2013

[GoISU]

Couldn’t find anything via search and I don’t think I’ve seen anything regarding this...

Today while maneuvering in a parking lot my power steering went dead. I thought the truck had died but it was running fine and there were no lights on the dash. Problem self corrected and I pulled out without issue. I then took it to my local Yota 4X4 shop (ChiTown4X4) as I was headed there for an oil change anyways. Nothing seemed amiss during the oil change and no fluids were observed to be leaking etc.
Rick at CT4X4 suggested I change the PS fluid cuz it was dark and I went to Napa & got the recommended ATF and ran a full quart through it to swap out the fluid. Problem returned after full drain and fill upon start up then went away while I ran a quick errand.
After pumping everything out of the resivoir and replacing with fresh ATF (four cycles) now my steering wheel is off center... I wasn’t cranking in the wheel while cycling the fluid but I was holding it at full lock to cycle the pump.

Anyone ever knock their steering wheel out of alignment form the drivers seat? Truck tracks and drives normally, wheel is just cocked to the left now.
Am I looking at a new PS pump or am I missing something else I should check?
Truck is a 2013 with only 56K miles on it. No rhyme or reason when it fails but I’d say it’s a safety concern and today is the first time it’s happened and it happened 4 times but remains an intermittent issue.
Thanks all,

Kevin
Wheaton IL

 

[Sandroad]

Run a search on Mud using the term VGRS. You’ll get lots of hits on off center steering wheel and I wonder if that system and your PS problem are related?

 

[bloc]

I THINK there might be a hydraulic switch in the high-pressure line of our PS system. Not sure whether it just senses pressure to increase idle, or gives feedback to the VSC, or maybe has something to do with pressure regulation. But the on-off nature of this means I'd have to consider some type of electrical switch issue.

Edit: I didnt think we had a VGRS box like 100s but we do. Could be a good explanation for the steering off-center.

Also for future reference, you don't need to run the engine/pump to flush PS fluid. Just put the front wheels in the air and turn the wheel lock to lock with the engine off. It'll pump the old fluid right out of the reservoir and through the system, just like it was running, only not as fast.

 

[bloc]

Just had a look in TIS. There is an oil pressure sensor in the high pressure line off the pump. I don't see any way for an ecu to control PS pump pressure though, appears to be purely mechanical. So I'd suspect the pressure sensor is just to give the vehicle info about operating conditions.

No power steering sounds like a pump to me, unfortunately.

Can VGRS interfere with power steering though?

 

[GoISU]

Thanks for all the leads so far! I’m going to try and get into the dealership tomorrow (Saturday) and this info helps a lot. I’ll update when I can.

 

[GoISU]

Well, the dealer mechanic did an inspection and didn’t find any issue. They asked that I bring it back when it’s happening... pretty unlikely since it doesn’t seem to last very long when it’s happened. Spoke with mechanic directly and he suggested checking under the hood when it’s experiencing the problem. Look for a frozen pulley, aeration in the fluid etc. If anyone else has any ideas let me know. I mentioned all the above listed suggestions to the mechanic and he seemed knowledgeable but who knows if he just wanted to punt this one on a busy Saturday at the dealership...

 

[gaijin]

Well, the dealer mechanic did an inspection and didn’t find any issue. They asked that I bring it back when it’s happening... pretty unlikely since it doesn’t seem to last very long when it’s happened. Spoke with mechanic directly and he suggested checking under the hood when it’s experiencing the problem. Look for a frozen pulley, aeration in the fluid etc. If anyone else has any ideas let me know. I mentioned all the above listed suggestions to the mechanic and he seemed knowledgeable but who knows if he just wanted to punt this one on a busy Saturday at the dealership...

If your only remaining problem is steering wheel alignment, according to this sticker under your hood, the problem will (most likely) correct itself with some normal driving:

If it doesn't, and/or if the power steering cutout recurs, time to see a pro.

HTH