Electric Power Steering Question

Chet2710 · Jan 9, 2020

The previous owner of my 8N retrofitted a Saturn Vue electric
power steering system to the tractor. Only problem, it only
works when the tractor isn?t running and the ignition is on. I
know nothing about electronics, so what is wired incorrectly
here? I don?t really need this system but might as well use it if
it?s there. Thank you!

Jim L WA · Jan 9, 2020

Without some kind of wiring diagram of how the P.O. wired this thing up, it would be extremity difficult to tell you what's wrong. As for you not knowing much about electricity, think of it as pluming. The water is your battery, the pipes are your wires. Trace the wire from the power steering pump and see what it's hooked up to. Maybe you could draw up a diagram for us and post back.

JF in MI · Jan 9, 2020

Done a number of these things. There should be at least one heavy wire going to the power steering control module (not the gear box) that will be powered all the time. There will be another thinner wire that only shows power with the key on (probably pin #6 of the thin wire plug. Not the thin wire plug that comes from the torque sensor on the gear box). If that wire loses power when the tractor is running then that is your problem (the module has been turned off). You might have something like a "back feed" that "neutralizes" the necessary 12V "power up" signal.
I will be posting my 8N power steering conversion when I finish it.

JF in MI · Jan 9, 2020

This might help

Tom/Idaho · Jan 9, 2020

I doubt it"s wired incorrectly.
I had the exact problem when I first put EPS on my 8N. Different spark plug wires fixed that.
EPS requires a lot of amps. I would say your problem is a low amp alternator & weak battery.

I have 105 amp alternator, 550 CCA 12 volt battery and different spark plug wires.
Despite some negative opinions mine has performed flawlessly for over 100 hours and not a single problem with a full or empty bucket.

Tom/Idaho

TheOldHokie · Jan 9, 2020

(quoted from post at 19:41:26 01/09/20) I doubt it"s wired incorrectly.
I had the exact problem when I first put EPS on my 8N. Different spark plug wires fixed that.
EPS requires a lot of amps. I would say your problem is a low amp alternator & weak battery.

I have 105 amp alternator, 550 CCA 12 volt battery and different spark plug wires.
Despite some negative opinions mine has performed flawlessly for over 100 hours and not a single problem with a full or empty bucket.

Tom/Idaho

Sounds like EFI makes the controller brain dead. I am curious how you figured that out. I would have pulled my hair out (if I had any) before I ever thought of electrical interference.

TOH

Tom/Idaho · Jan 9, 2020

L.FURE suggested the solution and you helped with a larger alternator suggestion.

https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=nboard&th=1018606

Tom/Idaho

TheOldHokie · Jan 10, 2020

(quoted from post at 21:37:15 01/09/20) L.FURE suggested the solution and you helped with a larger alternator suggestion.

https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=nboard&th=1018606

Tom/Idaho

I vaguely remembered the EFI discussion shortly after I asked but not the details or that i was involved. Thanks for jogging our collective memories and congrats on your EPS project.

TOH

Chet2710 · Jan 16, 2020

It all makes sense now. When I first purchased the tractor, it would just about refuse to start. After a lot of head scratching, we finally replaced the spark plug wires with copper ones. After that, it started like it rolled right out of the Dearborn factory. I'm presuming those copper wires are resulting in this electromagnetic interference folks speak of. Hmmm...I'm not sure I want to trade the near perfect start for the "luxury" of power steering.

TheOldHokie · Jan 16, 2020

(quoted from post at 10:09:55 01/16/20) It all makes sense now. When I first purchased the tractor, it would just about refuse to start. After a lot of head scratching, we finally replaced the spark plug wires with copper ones. After that, it started like it rolled right out of the Dearborn factory. I'm presuming those copper wires are resulting in this electromagnetic interference folks speak of. Hmmm...I'm not sure I want to trade the near perfect start for the "luxury" of power steering.

You might want to try a set of [b:8557d34d75]new[/b:8557d34d75] suppression wires. You may find you do not have to trade anything for the luxury of that PS.

TOH

carlntexas · Jan 16, 2020

(quoted from post at 10:09:55 01/16/20) It all makes sense now. When I first purchased the tractor, it would just about refuse to start. After a lot of head scratching, we finally replaced the spark plug wires with copper ones. After that, it started like it rolled right out of the Dearborn factory. I'm presuming those copper wires are resulting in this electromagnetic interference folks speak of. Hmmm...I'm not sure I want to trade the near perfect start for the "luxury" of power steering.

changed from the copper wires to suppressor wires when I put EI on my front mount 8N. I can't tell the difference it starts and runs the same and now my digital volt meter works.

Electric Power Steering Question

Chet2710

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Jim L WA

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JF in MI

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JF in MI

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Tom/Idaho

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TheOldHokie

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Tom/Idaho

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TheOldHokie

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Chet2710

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TheOldHokie

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