power steering problem..

[Qshipsta]

Hey guy's,. me again,...with another problem:o(,. my power steering is acting up,. it's been like this for like 4 months now,..,.about 75% of the time it is off,. but every once in awhile it kicks back on,. which can be dangerous when i'm taking a turn at high speeds,.umm,. it usually is working when i first start the car,.i've checked the fluids,..i'm thinking it's the pump,.. any comments??,. oh yea,. MY Q IS STILL RUNNING!! my alternator job must've been decent!:OP,. ok,. later then

[Q45tech]

The pumps almost never fail the pressure control bypass system [solenoids or ecu, wiring connectors, etc] do.

[louiegz]

I think something like this happened to me a couple of years ago and it was some hose. I'll look at my service records and see what it was so I can be more specific. I will look tonight Qshipsta and post back. In the meantime, check your power steering hoses.

[Jesda]

Here's some help information I got from T3 about checking for leaks. I doubt it really helps at all in your case.

Jack up the front (safely).Look under the carAt the same time, have someone turn the steering wheel all the way in one direction and hold it there. If it drips (mine sprayed), it leaks.

If its leaking, I do not recommend filling it up with fluid and driving it to a shop. I damaged my PS pump that way, so pay the $40 and tow it. It works fine, but its noisy now.

-Jesda

[HeavyDuty]

Mine is doing the same thing, it works in the morning, then fades in & out through the day.

I don't mind it being tight, I kinda like it, but not when it suddenly comes on while making a turn, either.

I know the pump is leaking & I have two leaky hoses, just don't have time to mess with it at the moment.

[louiegz]

I think something like this happened to me a couple of years ago and it was some hose. I'll look at my service records and see what it was so I can be more specific. I will look tonight Qshipsta and post back. In the meantime, check your power steering hoses.

I had a chance to look back at my service records and I found the power steering repair. It was invoiced as a "Hose & Tube Set-Powe-49717-60u26". The part was $38.86 plus 1 hour of labor. This was done in 2001, so the price might be higher. When they changed it, it took care of the problem. I hope you find this helpful, Qshipsta.