The dandy clue you included is the power assist comes back when you raise engine speed. Needs a new power steering pump. This is the "ZF" style pump, and it has had the same problem since the mid '90s.
One note: Chrysler has built a real lot of tough, amazing engines. The 2.7L is not one of them. Letting it idle for a long time can reduce the amount of oil that sprays onto the cylinder walls and gets pumped through the bearings. This engine already has a higher than normal bearing failure rate. What you're doing can aggravate that.
Sorry to hear you're so far north. I'm four hours north of you, and I really hate winter.
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Sunday, January 27th, 2013 AT 12:57 AM