Steering Wheel Problem

[shinryuhoshi]

There is something odd going on with my Supra. I can steer the car fine when I change lanes and turn into driveways and such but when I am slowing down to make a right turn at a corner, if i try to jerk the steering wheel hard while i'm braking, the entire car would shut down, right on the road. It has happened 3 times already in two weeks. It only happens on right turns when I want to come into the turn at a faster than usual speed, press the brake, then jerk the wheel. The steering wheel locks up, engine goes off, no warning lights, but all lights are on as if I was getting ready to start up the car again. It drives fine if I don't try to turn like a maniac.

I'll take it to toyota this week but I wanted your opinions first so I know what to look out for when I get quoted.

[Matt Harwood]

My first suspicions would be something electrical breaking a contact. Battery terminal tight? - Have you (had) installed anything electrical recently?

[Terminator]

I would do plenty of checking yourself as problems like this can sometimes be hard to find. A main dealer will start with all the routine checks and take ages if it is not a simple fault you could have a very big bill for labour.

Like Matt said electrical -Sounds suspiciously like battery terminals. Even a main dealer might find that .
:devil:

[shinryuhoshi]

Originally posted by Matt Harwood
My first suspicions would be something electrical breaking a contact. Battery terminal tight? - Have you (had) installed anything electrical recently? I haven't personally installed anything but when I got the car, there was an aftermarket speaker set-up made for the vehicle and a long red wire that goes from the amp to the battery.

EDIT: I think I figured out what is going on. My cd changer and amp are located in my trunk and are not secured to anything. My theory is that when I make a hard turn, the cd system is jolted and may lose connection temporarily. When that happens, it is possible that it is shutting down the car as well since it is connected directly to the battery. Does that sound possible? :conf: I'll find a better way to secure the cd player and see if that helps.

EDIT: Its not the stereo system...

[SUPRACHRIS]

Firstly make sure there is a fuse in the power cable to the amp, that will cause probs if thats earthing, as close to the battery as possible.
May not be that but good place to start, as it could cause other probs.:) Also look for anything not secure in the engine bay, or even your keys being too weighty (loads of keys) and switching off the ignition. stupid but it does happen:cool:

[shinryuhoshi]

I've been trying to self-diagnosis the problem with the car and still no luck. I don't think it has to do with the audio system now...I left the car on idle, started to shake the cd changer, amp, speakers unplugged the sound system, nothing affected the engine system. Taking a test drive around the block with the stereo off, I hit the brake, jerk the wheel hard to the right and still the car shuts off on me. I tried the "heavy key" scenario and could not duplicate gripe. I'm guessing its more serious then I thought it was, nothing else to do but go to the dealership and have them see what is going on.:( Could if there could be a leak in the steering system? Again, car steers fine at high speeds and if you turn slower on lower speeds.

I'm a beginner mech and know that brakes use brake fluid, power steering has their own fluid but do the two share any type of pressure lines or connections that may be causing an overload to the system when I use both at the same time?

[Chris Wilson]

Waggle the birds nest of wires going into the ecu, with engine running, or get a passenger to do it whilst you drive it on a deserted (yeah, right.... :) ) road. See if it's something loose there. Could be a loose sensor connection under the bonnet. Could take 5 minutes to find or 5 weeks...

[Soonto"HAS"soop]

Have you tried sitting in it at tick over and without moving, and then trying the brake and jerk steering wheel? Sounds to me like the ignition barrel may be losing a connection or something, or a wire is touching metal and shorting. Personally I'd check the steering column first. Sit on the drive with the engine running, jerk the wheel and slam on the brake and see if it does it at a standstill. If it does then poke around the steering column and in the drivers footwell.

Ben..

[shinryuhoshi]

Originally posted by Soonto"HAS"soop
Have you tried sitting in it at tick over and without moving, and then trying the brake and jerk steering wheel? Sounds to me like the ignition barrel may be losing a connection or something, or a wire is touching metal and shorting. Personally I'd check the steering column first. Sit on the drive with the engine running, jerk the wheel and slam on the brake and see if it does it at a standstill. If it does then poke around the steering column and in the drivers footwell.

Ben.. I just tried jerking the steering wheel and hitting the brakes while in park and could not duplicate the gripe. I can only get it to happen at 25-40km/hr when i hit the brake then turn to my right. any faster or slower and nothing happens. I do appreciate everyone's help so far, I am trying everything i can before I take it to the dealership to have it checked. Any other suggestions I'll give a try. Thanx.