2000 Honda Civic power steering problem

JRBROWN0316

MEMBER
2000 HONDA CIVIC
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
180,000 MILES

I have a 2000 Honda Civic, when I turn the wheel the pump stops and the belts slip. I can turn the wheels back and forth just fine manually everything is smooth. The belt is fine and plenty tight. The pump resivor is also full. I am very familiar with hydrolics and would lean toward the valve on the rack and pinion assembly. However I am not familiar with Imports and do not know if anything else might be causing this.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,881 POSTS

Hi jrbrown0316. Welcome to the forum. You may have nothing more than a loose belt. Power steering pumps have a weird valve that I can't describe, but they reduce line pressure when little or no fluid is flowing. That makes it easier for the pump to spin. When you turn the steering wheel, the spool valve in the rack opens to let fluid flow to one side of the power piston, also in the rack. At this time, that valve in the pump allows a higher pressure to develop and the pump has to work harder. When you turn to full lock one way or the other, the spool valve is still open and the pump is still building higher pressure. That's when the pressure relief valve kicks in and you hear the hiss or buzzing from the pump.

If you're sure the belt is tight enough, check for the ribs being worn down. That will prevent them from riding deep enough in the pulley grooves and they won't wedge in tight enough to grab.

Caradiodoc