PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

Ok, so here is the situation with my 2002 Bonneville SSEI.

History:
The Service Stability System message came on, my friend plugged in a Snap On computer and it said there was a problem with the front right wheel hub sensor. We replaced that, but the message was still there. At the same time, we were also experiencing weird issues with power steering. When the car first starts up and is in park, power steering is fine. After driving a bit and then going to parallel park, power steering is horrible. When I rev the engine, it works while at RPMs over 1100. When I am turning the wheel without power steering, I can hear cracks/creaks. Here is a video that lets you see and hear what I am talking about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZpro97W ... e=youtu.be
Also, I got the car an alignment two weeks ago. I noticed that even after the alignment, the steering wheel is off center when driving straight. It is rotated clockwise about 8 degrees. It's not much, but perhaps enough to give an error with a steering wheel sensor?

Diagnosis?
So I needed to find someone with a tech 2 computer(after reading previous topics in the forum. Yes, I read the forums before I post! ). I brought it over to an auto electrician. He got his hands on a tech 2 and figured out the following. There is an error with the Steering Wheel Position sensor. He said the cracking/crunching I hear when there is no power steering is because the Rack and Pinion need to be replaced. He said he got a C1238 hard malfunction code. He thinks that based on the sounds, there may be more broken inside the steering column. I was going to have him take apart the column anyway to install a replacement Windshield wiper lever that I purchased from Haro.

So do you guys think his diagnosis is plausible? Thanks ahead of time for your input!

When the power steering isn't working well, does the pump make a loud whine? Have you checked the fluid level? An alignment shop should be able to center the steering wheel properly. If you're not happy, take it back and ask them to do it again. That, in itself I wouldn't think would set your code. If the SWPS is destroyed, it could make noise similar to that. I'd also check and maybe lube your intermediate steering shaft and see if that helps. Procedure is in techinfo.

As for the C1238, that shows as being related to the electronic brake control module seeing the brakes as being overheated due to over-use.

The EBCM monitors vehicle speed deceleration, system activation, and stoplamp switch active times in order to calculate an estimate of the brake rotor temperatures. If the EBCM calculates that the brake rotor temperatures have exceeded the thermal cutoff point, the EBCM will temporarily suspend the TCS function until the brake rotors cool. This feature is used to maintain braking effectiveness if normal base braking is required. An overly heated brake system could result in brake fade.

The EBCM continues calculating the brake rotor temperatures after the ignition is turned OFF. The EBCM remains awake until the EBCM calculates that the brake rotors cooled sufficiently. The cooling period may take up to 30 minutes.

Possible causes of this DTC are the following conditions:

The brake usage is excessive.
The TCS usage is excessive.
The stoplamp switch is misaligned or damaged.

We checked the powersteering fluid level and it was good. I haven't heard it whining. My friend would have noticed that while we had it in his shop. The alignment shop might not have done a good enough job. I'll have to bring it back over.

I'm going to double check on that code. Thanks!

OK, I called and checked again about the code. He said it's a c1287 and the code was in the tire pressure monitor module and traction control module.

I ordered a rebuilt rack and pinion for the car. I should have it installed next wednesday. I ordered it from Rock auto this morning with 3 business day shipping.