Thread: Strange power steering failure

Hey guys,

Got a weird problem with my power steering.

I bought this car a couple months ago (94 G20), and it has about a million minor problems. One of them being the PS not working very well.

When I got the car, the PS fluid was kind of low, and of course the same hose is leaking that leaks on all of them. Topped off the fluid, doesn't seem to leak fast enough to effect the level in the reservoir.

The PS pump just didn't seem to be putting out enough power to turn the wheel at low speeds. Also when putting the PS under a high load, the front of the car would vibrate significantly. If you revved the engine however, it would become easier.

Well I took it on its first spirited drive since I've owned it and now the PS does not work at all (at any RPM or speed).

No leaks
No vibration or PS pump whine (like you'd expect)
Belt doesn't seem to be slipping, pulley's turning
Fluid in reservoir doesn't seem to be moving around like it does on most cars.

Just doesn't work at all.

I'm gonna pick up a used pump for cheap, it should be here in a few days. In the mean time, has anyone else had this problem?

Thanks

you adding P/S fluid or ATF fluid?

PS fluid was in it when I bought it.

Our ps pumps hoses are notorious for leaking.usually the high pressure hose leak first.its up to you.I would go with a new one or someone who sells quality used parts.Its a mission to a lot to change that ps pump on a Sr.look up andreas miko on the forum.he sells good used parts.my advice before tackling this pb blast ps belt tensioner and through bolt.if your high pressure. hose is bad,that's the most expensive hose you will buy,other ps hoses are much cheaper.you can pick those up from Greg gspecperformance.com. There is a write up on an alternate high pressure hose on the forum.I wish you luck and patience brotha

Thanks for the reply!

Although I don't think the leaking hose is the biggest problem at the moment, unless its clogged or something and not flowing fluid.

I will replace the PS hose, but I'm thinking that the pump is the source of the PS not working completely.

Its just a little weird because every time I've had PS pumps fail its been a bit more spectacular than this.

Usually there's fluid everywhere, or tons of noise, and I have neither of those.

P/S fluid in our systems is a big no-no. Read here for more info:

http://www.sr20-forum.com/general-sr20/41053-what-effects-power-steering-fluid-our-cars.html

It tends to cause seals to degrade and leak, and may cause pump problems too. Had the same happen to mine.

Did you check to see I the leak got worse.how much fLuid is left?when you top the resovoir off, Have someone turn the when left and right and check underneath the car.if its a deCent leak,pump won't work properly because of too much air in its system..how frequently do you add fluid?

Leak didnt get worse when the PS failed. The level is the same.

There is no fluid dripping, but there is some dirty residue all over the PS line because its leaked very very slightly for a while.

There's plenty of fluid, no bubbles, it looks as if the pump is not even turning... Like the belt is off. But the belt is on, and its turning the pump.

I think real quick I'm going to pull the belt off and turn it by hand, to see if there's any resistance at all.

I know PS fluid in the system might be an issue, but its not the main problem. ATF might work better or whatnot, and perhaps I'll use it when I fix the problem. But having PS fluid in your PS system is not causing the system not to function. I'm not saying you're wrong or that ATF isn't the ideal fluid, its just not what's going to fix the problem that I'm having right now.

Personally, I think the pump is the problem, but we'll find out when the new one arrives.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Edit: to answer your other questions... I put maybe a couple ounces in the reservoir when I bought the car, and I've never had to add any since. Not even after the PS stopped working. So I've only added fluid once. I think if there were too much air in the system it would probably still work a little bit, or at least make a ton of noise.

I wasn't telling you to change the fluid and everything will be fine, I was letting you know that if it came with that in there, there's likely problems caused by it. Find effect, troubleshoot cause, fix cause.

Gotcha.

I'll take your advice and run ATF once I fix the problem.

Thanks