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Repairing the CTS Variable
Effort Steering (VES) SolenoidThe Symptom: You get a message on the computer display that says, "Service steering system" or some such thing.
The Problem: More than likely, the VES Solenoid has failed. There's a tech note on it. See here
(pdf).
Mine showed to be an open circuit with the ohm meter.
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The first thing is jack the car up, and remove the left wheel. This gives you access to the solenoid, well sort of.
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Here's the VES solenoid after it was cleaned up. I used Fantastick, a little nylon brush, and scrubbed it up. Then hosed it with water. Then wiped it dry with paper towels. Then used a rag with some isopropyl alchohol on it to finish the cleaning after I broke the threads loose.
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Here are the new parts. It comes with a chincy stamped out sheetmetal "wrench". You might as well throw that in the trash from the beginning. |
Wow! What a difference getting this fixed made. Now, just sitting in the garage there is no (almost zero) steering resistance. I'm not sure this was ever working since I've owned the car.
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