P0551

DTC P0551: Power Steering Pressure Switch Circuit Range/Performance

CIRCUIT OPERATION

- A battery positive voltage is applied to the power steering pressure switch output terminal (terminal No. 1) from the ECM [M/T] or the PCM [A/T] (terminal No. 78) via the resistor in the ECM [M/T] or the PCM [A/T].

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

- The power steering pressure switch converts the existence of a power steering load into a high/low voltage, and inputs it into the ECM [M/T] or the PCM [A/T].
- When the steering wheel is turned, hydraulic pressure rises. The power steering pressure switch closes, and the applied battery positive voltage will be grounded. With this, the power steering pressure switch output voltage will fluctuate between 0 and 12 volts.
- While driving with the steering wheel held straight, the power steering pressure switch turns "OFF".
- The ECM [M/T] or the PCM [A/T] checks whether the power steering pressure switch turns "OFF" or "ON" during driving.

DESCRIPTIONS OF MONITOR METHODS

Power steering pressure switch stays on during specified go/stop operations.

MONITOR EXECUTION

Continuous

MONITOR EXECUTION CONDITIONS (Other monitor and Sensor)

Other Monitor (There is no temporary DTC stored in memory for the item monitored below)

- Not applicable
Sensor (The sensor below is determined to be normal)

- Engine coolant temperature sensor

DTC SET CONDITIONS

Logic Flow Chart

Check Conditions

- Engine coolant temperature is higher than 20°C (68°F).
- Drive for 4 seconds or more with the vehicle speed is 50 km/h (31 mph) or more. Stop the vehicle [vehicle speed is 1.5 km/h (1.0 mph) or less]. Repeat 10 times or more.
Judgement Criterion

- Power steering pressure switch continues to be "ON".

OBD-II DRIVE CYCLE PATTERN

None.

TROUBLESHOOTING HINTS (The most likely causes for this code to be set are:)

- Power steering pressure switch failed.
- Open or shorted power steering pressure switch circuit, harness damage, or connector damage.
- ECM failed.[ M/T]
- PCM failed.[ A/T]

DIAGNOSIS

Required Special Tools:

- MB991958: Scan tool (M.U.T.-III Sub Assembly)
- MB991824: V.C.I.
- MB991827: USB Cable
- MB991910: Main Harness A

STEP 1. Using scan tool MB991958, check data list item 83: Power Steering Pressure Switch.

CAUTION:
To prevent damage to scan tool MB991958, always turn the ignition switch to the "LOCK" (OFF) position before connecting or disconnecting scan tool MB991958.

(1)Connect scan tool MB991958 to the data link connector.
(2)Start the engine and run at idle.
(3)Set scan tool MB991958 to the data reading mode for item 83, Power Steering Pressure Switch.

- If the steering wheel is not turned while idling, "OFF" will be displayed.
- If the steering wheel is turned while idling, "ON" will be displayed.
(4)Turn the ignition switch to the "LOCK" (OFF) position.

Q. Is the switch operating properly?

YES It can be assumed that this malfunction is intermittent. How to Cope With Intermittent Malfunctions.

NO Go to Step 2.

STEP 2. Measure the power supply voltage at power steering pressure switch connector B-30 by backprobing.

(1)Do not disconnect the connector B-30.
(2)Start the engine and run at idle.

(3)Measure the voltage between terminal No. 1 and ground by backprobing.

- When steering wheel is not turned, voltage should be battery positive voltage.
- When steering wheel is turned, voltage should be 1 volt or less.
(4)Turn the ignition switch to the "LOCK" (OFF) position.

Q. Is the measured voltage within the specified range?

YES Go to Step 3.

NO Go to Step 5.

STEP 3. Check harness connector B-30 at power steering pressure switch for damage.

Q. Is the harness connector in good condition?

YES Go to Step 4.

NO Repair or replace it. Harness Connector Inspection. Then go to Step 14.

STEP 4. Using scan tool MB991958, check data list item 83: Power Steering Pressure Switch.

CAUTION:
To prevent damage to scan tool MB991958, always turn the ignition switch to the "LOCK" (OFF) position before connecting or disconnecting scan tool MB991958.

(1)Connect scan tool MB991958 to the data link connector.
(2)Start the engine and run at idle.
(3)Set scan tool MB991958 to the data reading mode for item 83, Power Steering Pressure Switch.

- If the steering wheel is not turned while idling, "OFF" will be displayed.
- If the steering wheel is turned while idling, "ON" will be displayed.
(4)Turn the ignition switch to the "LOCK" (OFF) position.

Q. Is the switch operating properly?

YES It can be assumed that this malfunction is intermittent. How to Cope With Intermittent Malfunctions.

NO Replace the ECM or the PCM. When the ECM or the PCM is replaced, register the encrypted code. Immobilizer System. Then go to Step 14.

STEP 5. Check harness connector B-30 at power steering pressure switch for damage.

Q. Is the harness connector in good condition?

YES Go to Step 6.

NO Repair or replace it. Harness Connector Inspection. Then go to Step 14.

STEP 6. Measure the power supply voltage at power steering pressure switch harness side connector B-30.

(1)Disconnect the connector B-30 and measure at the harness side.
(2)Turn the ignition switch to the "ON" position.

(3)Measure the voltage between terminal No. 1 and ground.

- Voltage should be battery positive voltage.
(4)Turn the ignition switch to the "LOCK" (OFF) position.

Q. Is battery positive voltage (approximately 12 volts) present?

YES Go to Step 11.

NO Go to Step 7.

STEP 7. Measure the power supply voltage at ECM [M/T] or PCM [A/T] connector B-20 by using power plant ECU check harness special tool MB991923.

(1)Disconnect all ECM [M/T] connectors or PCM [A/T] connectors. Connect the power plant ECU check harness special tool MB991923 between the separated connectors.
(2)Disconnect the power steering pressure switch connector B-30.
(3)Turn the ignition switch to the "ON" position.

(4)Measure the voltage between terminal No. 78 and ground.

- Voltage should be between battery positive voltage.
(5)Turn the ignition switch to the "LOCK" (OFF) position.

Q. Is battery positive voltage (approximately 12 volts) present?

YES Go to Step 8.

NO Go to Step 9.

STEP 8. Check harness connector B-20 at ECM [M/T] or PCM [A/T] for damage.

Q. Is the harness connector in good condition?

YES Repair harness wire between power steering pressure switch connector B-30 (terminal No. 1) and ECM [M/T] or PCM [A/T] connector B-20 (terminal No. 78) because of open circuit. Then go to Step 14.

NO Repair or replace it. Harness Connector Inspection. Then go to Step 14.

STEP 9. Check harness connector B-20 at ECM [M/T] or PCM [A/T] for damage.

Q. Is the harness connector in good condition?

YES Go to Step 10.

NO Repair or replace it. Harness Connector Inspection. Then go to Step 14.

STEP 10. Check for short circuit to ground between power steering pressure switch connector B-30 (terminal No. 1) and ECM [M/T] or PCM [A/T] connector B-20 (terminal No. 78).

Q. Is the harness wire in good condition?

YES Replace the ECM or the PCM. When the ECM or the PCM is replaced, register the encrypted code. Immobilizer System. Then go to Step 14.

NO Repair it. Then go to Step 14.

STEP 11. Replace the power steering pressure switch.

(1)Replace the power steering pressure switch.
(2)Check the trouble symptoms.
(3)Read in the diagnostic trouble code (DTC).

Q. Is DTC P0551 set?

YES Go to Step 12.

NO Go to Step 14.

STEP 12. Check harness connector B-20 at ECM [M/T] or PCM [A/T] for damage.

Q. Is the harness connector in good condition?

YES Go to Step 13.

NO Repair or replace it. Harness Connector Inspection. Then go to Step 14.

STEP 13. Check for harness damage between power steering pressure switch connector B-30 (terminal No. 1) and ECM [M/T] or PCM [A/T] connector B-20 (terminal No. 78).

CAUTION:
To prevent damage to scan tool MB991958, always turn the ignition switch to the "LOCK" (OFF) position before connecting or disconnecting scan tool MB991958.

(1)Connect scan tool MB991958 to the data link connector.
(2)Start the engine and run at idle.
(3)Set scan tool MB991958 to the data reading mode for item 83, Power Steering Pressure Switch.

- If the steering wheel is not turned while idling, "OFF" will be displayed.
- If the steering wheel is turned while idling, "ON" will be displayed.
(4)Turn the ignition switch to the "LOCK" (OFF) position.

Q. Is the switch operating properly?

YES The inspection is complete.

NO Retry the troubleshooting.