This is one that has me scratching my head wondering what is going on.

The wife went to town and said that when she backed up, the steering was heavy like it wasn't working and it kicked a code light. When she drove forward the steering was normal.
when she got home I tested the car and it was normal
The fluid level is full, with no leaks, Power steering pump isn't making any noises when turning the wheel.
The info light was on for a while and now it is gone.

I am going to flush the system with new fluid.

 

It's interesting that she noticed it while backing up, since that's a very low-speed, high-wheel-cranking operation. It makes me wonder if the car has variable power assist that lends more help at parking-lot speeds and is malfunctioning electrically.

 

So far it hasn't repeated itself. It did kick a code that said to check the power steering. She clicked it off for later. I can't find the code so I have no idea since I don't have a reader. The only thing is to continue to drive it until it repeats. I will flush the system when I get back in a few days from a trip. The fluid level was up to the mark and there are no leaks.

 

All due respect, its kind of reckless not to own a reader considering how cheap they are now.

But I do appreciate your love for surprises.

 

The issue has not resurfaced.
I did flush the power steering system with new fluid. The fluid that came out looked like a strong cup of black coffee. When I changed out most of the fluid it looked more like a milk latte.
The steering seems to be functioning normal. Go figure...never a dull moment with a car that has almost 250,000 miles.

 

I would keep an eye on the belt, those tensioners and pulleys may become an issue.

I lost the elastomer in the crank pulley not to far into the 250k

 

At the last timing belt change, I put in a new pulley as the rubber was starting to creep out. I am due for another belt as 4 years have expired...not Aisin parts.

 

On my 2010 RL, today I used engine flush and kept the car at high idle (~1900k RPM) for 15 minutes. After about 10 minutes, "Check power steering" light came up.

At the end of 2022, I was also idling the car at around 1800 to 2000 rpm for 10 or so minutes(just gradually warming up the car) and did see the same check power steering light. My car was sitting for over a week as we had enough snow and I have 2 vehicles. Each car is sitting for a week or 2 at a time.

Fluid was replaced couple of years ago, so it is clean. It seems that idling for 10 or so minutes at a higher idle may cause check power steering light to come up. Normal idling without applying gas pedal is fine. Turning off the car and then back on, clears the power steering light. The message stays in the MID which can be viewed or deleted.