Below 0 freezing

PURPLE2462

MEMBER
2007 NISSAN ALTIMA
2.5L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
207,000 MILES

It is extremely cold outside. Temp is minus 7 with minus 30 wind-chill. Can power steering freeze. It was fine and now extreme cold seems like no power? Thank you

Thursday, December 22nd, 2022 AT 8:30 PM

7 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,758 POSTS

Hi,

I don't feel that would happen. However, it is possible if we have seals that are contracting due to the cold.

Are you seeing any leaks? Is the fluid clean and full?

Also, take a look at the pic below. I circled the ends of two rubber dust covers. Check to see if anything is wet there with power steering fluid.

Let me know. Also, if you haven't, you may want to service the PS pump and system.

Here is a link that explains how to do it:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/power-steering-fluid-flush

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.

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Sunday, January 1st, 2023 AT 9:48 PM

PURPLE2462

MEMBER
12 POSTS

Hello Joe, thanks for responding. I do not see any leaks in those areas. I had power steering pump replaced about 4 months ago and all was well until I had sudden hard steering as I mentioned. What I did was flush and replace the reservoir that looked dirty inside. While the front tires were raised the steering was normal. Back on ground it is hard steering. Also, when the front was up I noticed steering wheel lock engages after car turned off and that does not engage on ground either if that is worth telling. Sometimes seems to not be as hard. And return works not as responsive as normal after turning and lower acceleration. One other thing about week before the hard steering I drove over a small piece of tree limb about 2 inches found by 3 ft long. Car sits low and it broke it all up on the road and didn't notice anything then. Okay, thanks for any other information you might have my budget is tight so waiting if I need a shop to look at. Could a electrical plug or fuse be issue. Thanks again

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Friday, January 6th, 2023 AT 12:12 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,758 POSTS

Hi,

If you aren't losing fluid, the branch likely didn't hurt anything. If the PS pump is new, the fluid is full and clean, and the belt is tight and not slipping, I have a feeling the rack and pinion may be the problem.

There are bushings that can fail causing excessive drag when turning. The locking when it was off the ground isn't uncommon. There is basically no resistance on the steering, so it likely moves a little and locks without you realizing it moved.

Also, is this still only happening in extreme cold?

Let me know.

Joe

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Friday, January 6th, 2023 AT 9:57 PM

PURPLE2462

MEMBER
12 POSTS

Hello, no it is all the time, but it happened when weather really got cold didn't know if had anything to do with, but it was sudden no symptoms beforehand. Drive done then went to drive 5 hours sitting and no power steering boom and pretty much same stiffness with some very little variance lighter to heavier. Pretty much like no power steering. Wonder if air is in since flushing. No noise at all.

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Saturday, January 7th, 2023 AT 9:21 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,758 POSTS

Hi,

Okay. Since this has electric power steering, we need to scan the can-bus for codes that could be related to the power steering control unit or some other control valve.

CAN stands for controller area network. Basically, the different modules are tied together via a few wires. This type of scan will retrieve codes regardless of the module storing them. Additionally, the person performing the scan can actuate different components to confirm they work.

Here is a link that shows how it is done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Let me know your thoughts.

Joe