2013 Vector loss of power steering

[ThatOneGuy'sBrother]

Old man's 2013 Vector lost its power steering.

There are no error codes.

There is a large black and red wire coming from the power steering unit. (Assuming its power and ground) and there is no power on the red wire. When testing it I did get power on the large red wire for a very short time. But it was flickering. Almost with the cylinder pulses. But I get zero power there now. This makes me think it is a bad connection some where.

Had the air box off. Looked over all of the fuses and harnesses for any obvious issues.

Where does the large red wire get its power from?

Is there a schematic available on here? If so do I have to become a VIP member to view it?

 

[YukonMP]

VIP membership allows you to request a service manual from a moderator, $15 is a deal and it helps them keep the lights on.

 

[ThatOneGuy'sBrother]

Talked to our local yamaha mechanic. Power steering doesn't get power till the sled starts moving. So that explains why I didn't see any power yet!

He also said he has never seen any of these fail on 4 wheelers or sleds.

He has seen them have poor connections on 4 wheelers from the mud. But they always throw an error code.

Being this sled never throws an error code it is confusing me.

You ride my apex and this vector side by side and you swear the power steering is not working. The vector is actually hard to keep on the trail.

The vector does have the single keel ski and the apex has the tuners. The tuners do help the DB chassis with darting. But you can ride his old RX1 side by side with the vector with the same ski and the RX1 drives so much better.

We did order some dual carbides for the vector to see if this helps. But I am sceptical.

Odd thing is the vector has been in out family since it was new and never had an issue like this!

 

[YukonMP]

When I bought my VK Pro with EPS I asked the sales manager(who is knowledgeable and I trust) and he said they have never seen an EPS failure in any Yamaha product.

 

[Roger]

My 2012 RS Venture GT power steering doesn't work if the sled is left outside, overnight, on real cold nights. The sled is always covered at night, if stored outside. It's always stored indoors at home. It has always worked if I leave from my garage at home.
Once you start driving it, it warms up enough, under the hood, for it to start working again. Usually about an hour of driving.

My useless dealer, MotorSports World, in Ottawa, says it's likely due to corrosion.

Funny thing is, my sled has never been on an 'uncovered' trailer, and the useless dealer wouldn't even look at it!

If you can store your sled indoors, maybe that'll help?
Not a heated garage, but out of the dampness of the cold dark nights.

 

[ThatOneGuy'sBrother]

It had been in our heated shop all night. In our case it doesn't seem to make a difference.

It had never been in an open trailer and always under a roof in summer.

All of the connections I have unplugged look like new inside and do not have any corrosion.

 

[Roger]

Even before power steering, I drove with "SnoTrackers". They are awesome! I've been using them for years, absolutely no darting when you have the skis adjusted perfectly straight.
Two of my brothers moved from Yamaha to Arctic Cat, partially due to the crappy Yamaha dealer we have.
They now drive the Yamahacat touring sleds, (Pantera, I think) with the big gas tank, hard bags, etc.
Anyway, I swapped sleds with them one day. Their sleds, with the SnoTrackers drive as easy as mine with the power steering.
They don't need power steering, but I sure enjoy mine!

 

[Dusty Dan]

It had been in our heated shop all night. In our case it doesn't seem to make a difference.

It had never been in an open trailer and always under a roof in summer.

All of the connections I have unplugged look like new inside and do not have any corrosion.

My 2012 Vector only has the PS fail once, at the start of a ride at roughly -30. It was a few years ago and I cannot remember the actual temperature, but it was damned cold. Like some others here, it is stored in a heated shop.

 

[maim]

2011 apex xtx did not have eps on one day on the ty giveaway ride last year. once it warmed up/crashed, it came back on and has not flickered even since. it sleeps outside uncovered in all conditions. i think it was water in the connections that got me but never blew the fuses. i always coat my sleds electrical with a liquid spray on di electric grease that works through the weather pac connectors. seen it do some amazing stuff.