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        General >> Problems >> Sensotronic Steering
        
(Message started by: Hellbilly on Dec 9^th, 2004, 5:08pm)

Title: Sensotronic Steering
Post by Hellbilly on Dec 9^th, 2004, 5:08pm

Can anybody answer me a few questions about the Sensotronic Variable steering system?

1) Is the 'actuator' fitted to the rack, or built into it?

2) Has anybody here ever taken the actuator apart, and if so could you describe what it actually consists of? Maybe there is somebody reading this how can describe it's operation and perhaps some specs?

3) Does the actuator require a complete bespoke system, or does it use a normal PAS pump?

4) Is the system infinitly variable or does it switch from two or more settings at set speeds? If so what are the parameters of it's operation?

Any other information about this system would be gratefully recieved.

I have read the relevent section in the 'steering manual' but this doesn't really go anyway towards explaining the 'how' of the unit....

Thanks again

Title: Re: Sensotronic Steering
Post by SaveTheNight on Dec 9^th, 2004, 10:26pm

Hi Hellbilly .. not sure what your trying to do as it seems likely that your thinking of converting something ..but roughly the sensotronic is standard other than the electrical part which ..yes .. is built in to the rack .. the steering pump supplies FULL power always as in any rack and then is reduced by an electrical solenoid valve.. when they are reconditioned the " sensotronic part " is totally irrelevant to the reconditioning ..and carries no extra cost ..the rack performs perfectly well with the electrical connection attached or removed... other than being stiffer when removed .. as far as the variable question is concerned well i'm not sure .. I can feel mine change and would be surprised if it has more than three settings .. hope this goes some way to answering your query ... regards ...STN
further info could be found perhaps by searching Porsche sites for the sensotronic rack ...

Title: Re: Sensotronic Steering
Post by mr._floppy on Dec 9^th, 2004, 10:57pm

Is Sensotronic a standard fitment on all Scorps, or just on the higher spec. models?

Title: Re: Sensotronic Steering
Post by craig on Dec 10^th, 2004, 7:02am

sensotronic is only standard on the 24v's

Title: Re: Sensotronic Steering
Post by Hellbilly on Dec 10^th, 2004, 6:05pm

That's exactly how I'd hoped it would work.

Since the unit is built into the rack I will have to resort to using the principle and make my own unit...

It's really helpful that you mentioned that it seems to default to heavy steering when you unplug it.

You say you can feel it shifting; around what sort of speed does this happen? Would you say that shifting happens at the same speed wether accelerating or decelerating or are the shifts staggered in either direction? The reason I ask is that if you held a constant speed equal to the trigger point then the solenoid would open and close like a machine gun!

I know it's difficult to quantify, but would you say that the steering when unit is unplugged is equal to having no PAS at all, or is it somewhere in between?

Many thanks for replying and I look forward to your future replies!

Title: Re: Sensotronic Steering
Post by Paul B on Dec 10^th, 2004, 9:15pm

Just watching "The 100 Most Popular Cars Ever" on M&M channel.
At number 54 they've just shown the new BMW 5-series. Was compared in size to the Scorpio by Chris Goffey (remember him?) and they were all saying how great it is and how ingenious its speed sensitive steering is.
Oh yes, very clever BMW. :-/

Title: Re: Sensotronic Steering
Post by SaveTheNight on Dec 10^th, 2004, 11:01pm

I run mine with the wire off Hellbilly and I find it more stable at speed.. its still power steering of course but not finger light when parking < although not heavy either > ..and no ..no machine gun effect ..it stiffens at about 40mph.. almost unnoticeable .. again perhaps over eighty .. when connected .. it's not rocket science though !! ... and it's been around a long time .. as Paul says the Beemers use it now but sensotronic braking is much more advanced than steering ......

Title: Re: Sensotronic Steering
Post by Hellbilly on Dec 11^th, 2004, 5:55pm

Does anyone have access to the wiring diagram for this system?

Or perhaps someone could answer me this latest question...

The controll unit (that looks like a relay) does all the work independantly of the ECU or recives a message from the ECU when the speed sensor reads 40mph?

I wonder if it could be used in a closed circuit with the speed sensor, if it doesn't already do this...

Title: Re: Sensotronic Steering
Post by SaveTheNight on Dec 11^th, 2004, 9:02pm

It will be VSS to PCM < with many other purposes >..and then ECU out to the PPS < power steering pressure switch > .. what exactly are you trying to do Hellbilly ? .. you want to add sensotronic steering rack to non sensotronic ? ..regards ...STN

Title: Re: Sensotronic Steering
Post by Paul B on Dec 11^th, 2004, 9:58pm

pssssst!....... It's a Cortina I think ;)

Title: Re: Sensotronic Steering
Post by Tencon on Aug 3^rd, 2005, 2:39pm

on 12/10/04 at 21:15:54, Paul B wrote:

BMWs have 'new' Sensotronic steering? Also, just WHEN was the Scorpio designed?
My 1976 Citroen CX2400 Pallas had speed-variable steering and it wasn't new then!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D