Impreza steering rack mod

[wuckfitracing]

carsy said:

RED - permanent 12V+ through fuse F7 (80A)
BLACK - Ignition switched 12V+ Through fuse F23 (10A)
BROWN/WHITE - To diagnostic connector
BROWN - EARTH
BLUE/WHITE - To alternator/ECU.


Do away with the brown/white diagnostic one.

So I`ve wired as the above. However the Blue/White to alternator/ECU, Im not sure what this means.Obviously its a positive. Does it mean it needs another permanent live as the terminal on the back of my alternator is. Im aware that if the ignition is on( even though engine is not running) the pump will be running.
Thanks in advance. Colin

[carsy]

Yes just attach it to a positive on the alternator. This way the pump will only run if the engine is running.

[wuckfitracing]

Cheers

[phazed]

I used the fuel pump relay connector as the trigger feed for the steering pump. That way the steering pump only runs when the fuel pump runs.

[Penelope Stopit]

Connect the blue/white cable to the alternator warning light terminal, the pump will only run when the alternator is charging

[wuckfitracing]

Yes that is a better idea. I was concerned about having the pump fire up before I started the engine.

[Penelope Stopit]

wuckfitracing said:

So to the guys that have fitted the Astra electric pump. Any ideas on the wiring. The big red is 12V positive, the big brown I assume is negative. The smaller black, brown and blue/white on the plug im not sure of.

Have you a picture of what's on the other end of the above 3 thin wires?
Although Blue/White is supposed to connect to the alternator warning light terminal, I should have asked for a picture that shows what the thin wires are controlling

[Penelope Stopit]

Just in case I don't visit back for a while, the below is all you need to run the pump

[phazed]

When run off the fuel pump relay, the pump only runs when the engine runs, (like the fuel pump) so a similar solution.

[Penelope Stopit]

phazed said:

When run off the fuel pump relay, the pump only runs when the engine runs, (like the fuel pump) so a similar solution.

By wiring the steering pump relay into the fuel pump relay circuit the steering pump will run during pump priming, this is why the alternator warning light circuit is used

[phazed]

Penelope Stopit said:

By wiring the steering pump relay into the fuel pump relay circuit the steering pump will run during pump priming, this is why the alternator warning light circuit is used

I understand that. I quite like hearing both pumps prime for a few seconds and then stop, sort of a, "systems check".

[Penelope Stopit]

That's clever, I like clever.

Have you spotted the downside to both methods?

[phazed]

Engine stops then no power steering? That would happen with a standard PS setup.

[Penelope Stopit]

phazed said:

Engine stops then no power steering? That would happen with a standard PS setup.

You've got it, "that was quick"
The thing is with having an electric pump it should be wired so that the steering is still assisted even if the engine cuts, "if you've got it use it"
I reckon this function will be built into a control unit
Now it's time to see what a simple fix involves

[WinstonWolf]

Use a self latching relay?

[spitfire4v8]

A delay off relay of say 10 seconds should be enough to get to safety in most engine cut situations i would think.

[Penelope Stopit]

WinstonWolf said:

Use a self latching relay?

I'm not 100% sure what you mean by self latching but it does sound close to the method I was thinking about
I've now sorted it and will post in a while, see what you think

[Penelope Stopit]

spitfire4v8 said:

A delay off relay of say 10 seconds should be enough to get to safety in most engine cut situations i would think.

Yes good idea but the 10 seconds of it running when not needing it would soon piss most people off, plus no one knows how long they will need the PAS to continue running for as there are numerous situations that can arise
Anyway as I've already mentioned above - I will post something as soon as it has been drawn and then it can be judged to be worthwhile or not

[WinstonWolf]

Penelope Stopit said:

WinstonWolf said:

Use a self latching relay?

I'm not 100% sure what you mean by self latching but it does sound close to the method I was thinking about
I've now sorted it and will post in a while, see what you think

Rather than me try to explain it there's a million and one circuit examples on Google that you could adapt

A self latching relay is NO, it just requires an energising current to switch it, it then stays closed until power is removed. Give it a switched live, energise from the starter circuit and it will stay latched until the ignition is turned off. If you feed it a permanent live it'll never switch off

[phazed]

I’ve had 2 chims with prezzy racks, both fuel pump relay fed and all no problems.