Hi EvoM community,

I just swapped out the clutch and with that for some reason we removed the power steering reservoir. When we decided to add fluid into it I jacked it up and did the normal operation of turning it 40 times left and right with the car started. The power steering works but now it's reading a p0551code and I think it might have something to do with how I filled the reservoir. What's the proper way of filling the power steering reservoir?

 

I think it might be because of the fluid I'm using. I bought some generic autozone brand thinking it was just a regular pump. I guess it's some specialty fluid

 

It's an issue with the sensor, not the fluid. "Power steering fluid" at the autoparts store is basically ATF minus the red dye, and fewer detergents..

 

Then maybe it has something to do with how I tried bleeding it the first time?

 

Possibly. Did you try clearing the code and seeing if it comes back?

 

Cleared it this morning and it hasn't come back yet after driving for maybe 20 minutes in the city. Will check after a more longer drive

 

There's a pressure switch on the pump. When you turn the steering wheel the pressure goes up and closes the switch grounding the 12 volts coming from the ECU. The computer expects to see the voltage jumping from 12 to zero volts during driving. If this doesn't happen it sets a code.

There is a special Mitsubishi power steering fluid. It is rare, most dealers don't stock it. If going for 400K like Grandpa Evo it maybe could make a difference.

 

So maybe i need to flush out the system and use the mitsubishi power steering fluid. Such a stupid system imo if it needs a "special type of fluid" to read pressure accurately

 

Same code came up again after driving it a couple more miles. No sound from anything though. Could it be the method I used to bleed the power steering or the fluid as the guy above me mentioned

 

A Mitsubishi dealership near me has that "special" fluid in stock but its like mid 20 something a bottle. They told me that most of the technicians just use the ATF fluid. Same fluid that goes into the ACD pump. I used that with zero issues.

Also the little wire coming out of my pump has been ripped off for over a year and I have yet to have any problems with it. Like stated it just helps the car while turning.

 

Sensor might have gone bad.

 

I doubt the fluid you used is the cause of your present problem. You've been driving so you know the pump is good. That leaves wiring or the switch.

 

Is there any chance that the power steering sensor may have an impact on the car? I was thinking that maybe it sends some type of info to the ECU for some random reason?

 

The only thing it does is tell the ECU to raise the idle a tad when you turn the wheel while the engine is idling. That's it.