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Home >> Lincoln >> 1997 >> Continental V8-281 4.6L DOHC VIN V MFI >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Steering and Suspension >> Steering >> Testing and Inspection >> Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview

Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview

TEST EQUIPMENT
Diagnosis requires the use of the Rotunda New Generation Star (NGS) Tester 007-00500 or equivalent OBD II scan tool. The Rotunda Service Bay Diagnostic Systems (SBDS) 001-00001 or equivalent, may also be used to diagnose this system. Use Rotunda Digital Volt-Ohmmeter 014-00407 and Rotunda 60-Pin Breakout Box 007-00033 or equivalent to perform pinpoint tests.


INSPECTION AND VERIFICATION
1. Verify the customer's concern by operating the steering system while driving to duplicate the condition. Road Test
2. Inspect to determine if any of the following mechanical or electrical concerns apply:

Mechanical
^ Tire pressure, loose wheels.
^ Lash in tie rod end, or front wheel spindle tie rods.
^ Loose suspension retainers.
^ U-joints loose connecting bolts on column intermediate shaft.
^ Loose steering gear assembly attachment to crossmember or intermediate shaft.
^ Improper drive belt tension.
^ Binding or misaligned steering column.
^ Power steering pump, fluid level, hose leak or line restrictions.
^ Power steering fluid burned, aerated or contaminated with water (appearance of strawberry milk-shake).
Electrical
^ Open fuse junction panel Fuse 28 (10A).
^ Open power distribution box Fuses 3 (60A), 7 (30A).
^ Circuitry, connections: opens, grounding or shorting.
^ Vehicle dynamics control module.

3. If inspection reveals obvious concerns that can be readily identified, service as required.
4. If the concern remains after inspection, connect the scan tool to the data link connector (DLC) located beneath the instrument panel to perform DATA LINK DIAGNOSTICS test.
^ If the scan tool responds with NO RESPONSE/NOT EQUIPPED for the vehicle dynamic module, go to Pinpoint Test A. Pinpoint Tests
^ If the DATA LINK DIAGNOSTICS test is passed for the vehicle dynamic module, retrieve continuous DTCs and execute Self Test Diagnostics for the vehicle dynamic module to retrieve current DTCs.
5. If self test is passed and no DTCs are retrieved, go to the Symptom Chart to continue diagnostics. Symptom Related Diagnostic Procedures
6. If DTCs are retrieved, go to the Vehicle Dynamic Module Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Index to continue diagnostics. Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Index
7. If the vehicle dynamic module cannot be accessed by the scan tool, go to Pinpoint Test A. Pinpoint Tests

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