Loss of Power Steering over bump

[mharris65]

Hello, all.  2004 CTT.  I am having a weird power steering issue.  Twice when going over a speed bump or up the curb of my driveway the power steering seems to quit.  Steering becomes very heavy like all assist is gone.  The problem goes away after a restart and seem directly related to hitting a bump and there being suspension travel.  The PS fluid is topped off and there are no leaks.  The last time it happened the car also threw a P0441 code.  After reset with the Durametric is hasn't come back.  I can't figure out how these issues are related or what's going on with the steering.  Any help or insight would be appreciated.   

Thanks

Edited August 17, 2016 by mharris65

[lewisweller]

Assuming you have servotronic steering, the problem is likely a speed sensor fault. The servotronic uses the psm/abs speed signal to determine wheel speed and adjust steering power assistance. The bump must be the trigger to highlight the sensor failure briefly. 

Another post also mentioned a "small wire " broken or loose that goes to the servotronic steering rack pump, the post didn't mention what that small wire was for unfortunately but it did affect steering assistance. 

 

P0441 is for evap purge soleniod valve faulty. http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/16825/P0441/001089

Unrelated to steering fault.