Power steering pressure sensor location

Tiny
TMZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 300,000 MILES
We cannot find where the power steering pressure sensor is located. There must be one, right? Unless there is something else, some other mechanism, that is responsible for kicking the RPM's up when you are turning the wheel at idle. The power steering pressure sensor is mentioned in the Chilton repair handbook we have, but there are no images, or diagrams of it, and it says it should be located on the steering gear but there is nothing on the steering gear. This book covers multiple years and is not specific to the 2003 Astro, though. We have worked on this vehicle for fifteen years and basically know every inch of it, but this has us stumped. Have taken everything apart, followed the power steering lines from the pump to the steering gear and brake power booster and back to the reservoir and cannot find anything that looks like a sensor. Do you know where we can find it? We are 95% certain that is what the problem is based on researching the symptoms, and it seems like it should be replaced if we can find it. Of course, it is possible we are barking up the wrong tree.
Friday, November 9th, 2018 AT 11:37 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I am going to have to say it does not have one. I just looked at the high pressure power steering line and there is not a place for one. That is where it would be if there was one. What problem are you having?
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Saturday, November 10th, 2018 AT 12:05 AM
Tiny
TMZ
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  • 4 POSTS
While turning into a parking spot or stopped at a stop light it idles rough. It feels like the entire vehicle is shaking. It does not do this when driving at high speed down the highway, it feels fine.
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Saturday, November 10th, 2018 AT 12:21 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So is the engine rooms bouncing around or your just getting vibration? You could just have some bad engine/transmission mount issues.
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Saturday, November 10th, 2018 AT 9:34 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Yes, a power steering pressure switch will not cause this. I would service the throttle body. Here is a guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

Let me know what happens.
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Saturday, November 10th, 2018 AT 3:54 PM
Tiny
TMZ
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Saturntech99. The engine and transmission mounts have all been replaced.

Ken, that could be it, but it is going to be a time consuming job. We will let you know how it turns out if we do it.

Thanks for your help guys!
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Sunday, November 11th, 2018 AT 2:22 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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It only take about twenty minutes to do the job which I highly recommend. I think it will fix the problem.
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 9:50 AM
Tiny
TMZ
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks Ken, it will take us a lot longer than that. ;)
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 4:05 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Let us know. :)
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Tuesday, November 13th, 2018 AT 10:39 AM

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