My power steering is acting up and I'm not sure what's wrong with it. It works smoothly when I first start up the engine and when I reverse. Once I put it in drive gear, it stops working. Does anyone know why it's doing this? I tried replacing the PS fluid but it's still doing it.

 

what fluid did you use? honda ps fluid?
probably failure of the pump--how did the fluid look?
Has it leaked any fluid--before or now?

the engine runs the same direction regardless of vehicle direction,,the pump doesnt run backwards in reverse--so its more a temp or time in use issue than direction

 

ck the boots on the ends of steering rack-pull them back, should not be any fluid there
If it is- you need a rack

 

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes I used Honda fluid. The fluid was almost black when I drained it so I had to bleed it twice. If it's pump failure, why does it still work like normal when engine is first started and not in gear? Wouldn't it just not work? Boots on steering rack, that's behind the tires right?

 

ack dont like not being able to edit. I didn't see any fluid leak when I first observed the problem a couple months back and the fluid level is the same on the res.

 

The variable assist piece that is in the trans? Is any thing noisier than usual?

 

only slight noise when steering while parked. I found something very interesting though. When the car is first started, it idles at around 900rpm and the power steering works. When it is in gear, it idles around 500rpm and power steering doesn't work or is very stiff.... 900-1k rpm is when power steering works..hmmm could it be the belt?

 

11pm and im running from my comp to car and back lol. what's the normal idle rpm?

 

lack of flow at only 500 rpm
750 + or - 50

 

you got an underdrive pulley on there?
idle is too low- something wrong there
What does the idle speed do when ac turned on? should come up 100-200 so engine stays smooth with the extra load
Are you running big stereo?

Had a thought of ps/ac belt tensioner pulley going bad, not holding belt tight, when you switch to forward motion the load changes and its not holding belt tight enough

Get an electrical system test for free at parts store- make sure thats putting out the right numbers,,,
also ask for a code reading, see if anything pops on that for why idle is so low
~800 in gear is normal for my 01

ck you air filter recently?

 

the tensioner is only for the P/S since it has it's own belt, but also it is a mechanically set on, not an automatic one

 

I'm going to try cleaning the IAC valve to see if it helps with the idle and power steering.

 

doh! fries gets me on anther one~

So the PS belt is manual setting on the tension
meaning it could be loose from worn belt--= not proper pump speed

how are the spark plugs and air filter- things that can directly affect idle speed

IACV dirty normally makes idle surge,,not be low-- but anything is possible

ck the TB air plate and return springs while you are in there

 

lol

 

laugh now,,, while you can young jedi...
With your half full brain you can remember more details of each car you come into contact with

Someday --when your brain gets full and goes into purge mode.....who will have the last laugh

 

ME, cause you will be dead