www.RX7fb.com

Hi all.. I managed to source a powered steering setup from a Jap FB and had a brainwave on how to neaten up the setup.. (plus I’m sure Ian tried to fit one to an Elford in the past but had space issues)

I’m going to use the original Powered Steering box .. but pretty much ditch the rest as my car does not have a vehicle speed sensor.

However. in the MK3 Toyota MR2 there is an electronic powered steering pump that does not need a speed signal to ramp down. This motor uses a clever ECU with sensors to measure the “turning effort” required, and adjusts the motor output accordingly.

Essentially when you’re at high speeds or in a straight line, the motor will detect low or no effort required and ramp down.. likewise if you start turning or slow down and more effort is required, it’ll ramp back up accordingly.

Luckily iv upgraded the alternator to handle the extra load of the electronic pump.. all il need to do is make up the flow and return hoses to the box and run the wiring.

Where i need some advice is on the ignition live … I could easily connect up to IGN.. but the pump would immediately start drawing 50amps.. where can I find a 12v supply that is only live once the engine has been started ?


Here is a wiring diagram showing how simple the setup is! There is a VSS input on the MR2 that switches the pump off completely .. but the pump will work and ramp down to low without this input

Nice idea Vic,
Back in the eighties ((during the war Rodney ) we used to fit a magnetic pick up onto the drive shaft, for speed sensing when fitting cruise control on the 626-rx7 etc. Just a thought maybe.
Steve.

Porters2 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 24, 2025 7:59 am Nice idea Vic,
Back in the eighties ((during the war Rodney ) we used to fit a magnetic pick up onto the drive shaft, for speed sensing when fitting cruise control on the 626-rx7 etc. Just a thought maybe.
Steve.

during the war !

That’s not a bad idea! .. according to all the research iv done of this pump being used for kit cars etc.. it’s not required as the motor is a brushless stepper motor.. so it being run on low all the time doesn’t do any harm!

Its a nice compact little unit too.. I’m thinking of hiding it where the headlight washer fluid bottle usually sits

Would anyone happen to know if the Oil Pressure sender can be used as a negative trigger for a relay? I’d like for the PAS pump to only become live once the engine is running. So that I can still have the ignition on for radio etc without it kicking the PAS pump in and draining the battery

Malcolm ,you’re an electrical wizard.. can you advise on the above ?

Hi Vic,
Sorry mate, but in my experience the switch goes to earth at low pressure, so that will have the opposite effect and run the pump when engine is off
Steve.

Had a thought though !!
The old xr3i escort had a multi pin fuel pump relay, if my memory is correct one of the pins was a coil input so that the pump only runs when engine running, I think your steering pump would only prime until the engine fires with one of those

Porters2 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 29, 2025 8:16 am Hi Vic,
Sorry mate, but in my experience the switch goes to earth at low pressure, so that will have the opposite effect and run the pump when engine is off
Steve.

Had a thought though !!
The old xr3i escort had a multi pin fuel pump relay, if my memory is correct one of the pins was a coil input so that the pump only runs when engine running, I think your steering pump would only prime until the engine fires with one of those

Hmm depending on the voltage output of the sender, that might still work..

The Escort relay is a good shout though! Il do a bit of research and see what can be found .. thanks Steve!

It’s not pretty, but it’s 20 years old NOS lol.

Yours if you need it matey.
Steve.

Porters2 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 29, 2025 10:02 am
It’s not pretty, but it’s 20 years old NOS lol.

Yours if you need it matey.
Steve.

IMG_3234.jpegIMG_3233.jpeg

You sir are a legend! Yes please.. pop me a WhatsApp with how much you’re after please mate and il send it over

Victorsanders wrote: ↑Tue Jul 29, 2025 12:15 pm

Porters2 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 29, 2025 10:02 am
It’s not pretty, but it’s 20 years old NOS lol.

Yours if you need it matey.
Steve.

IMG_3234.jpegIMG_3233.jpeg

You sir are a legend! Yes please.. pop me a WhatsApp with how much you’re after please mate and il send it over

Don’t be daft, I will whack it in the post when I get a chance, I’m up to my neck in a wheel bearing on my daughters audi at the moment.