Friend just picked up a 20th edition black on black leather max. Haven't seen it yet but from what he told me it has a power steering problem and an idle problem. What would be the smartest one to corret first on the ps? check the hoses or go ahead and replace the old power sterring pump with a new one. Also as for it idling he says it "dies and rises" ie. start car in nuetral it goes to about 750rpm then drops to almost 400 normally no clutch engaged and then makes its way back up? I did some research saying the smartest thing to first check is the idle control valve then clean that and see if it solves your problem. (might seem like a stupid question) but is there also a idle control sensor on the valve? If so and the cleaning of the valve didn't help next step be to replace the sensor? Anyone have a write-up of the "how too" for icv cleaning on a max?
Thnx, any help would be appreciated.

 

Check PS pressure switch also on the left side near strut tower when standing in front of car.

 

Does the car have an aftermarket CAI on it??

 

Not that i know of. from what i was told its stock except it sounds to have exhaust but i didnt bother mentioning it because i heard the ae come with custom exhaust to add 5hp or something like that

 

yea but i put a CAI on my max and when i first put it on the cars idle was all weird then i guess the computer got used to it. But every now and then when it is idling for a little while the revs will drop and it will idle rough around 400rpms

 

Don't just leap into a PS pump change. More info would be helpful. Assuming that the PS fluid is at the correct level, what is the power steering doing or not doing and when? Is the idle hunting continuously or does it droop down to 400 periodically and then recover backup to normal for awhile? On warmup and fully up to operating temp, or anytime?

 

Well i know idles higher then usual(over 1k) when cars warm. As for the ps problem i know the pump is a last resort because its pricey for the part and labors a *****. However he said he changed the ps hose and ps is fine, idle i didnt ask to much questions about. Somehow its corrected because i just checked with him. Still reads a cel though but car runs fine.