Intermittently shows power steering light on dashboard and steering hard

Tiny
AUTO SUPREMACY
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 3,000 MILES
My car (Bubble) shows power steering light on dashboard, and at the same time the power steering becomes stiff. But when the power steering light goes off, the steering becomes normal. This problem is quite intermittent and quite boring. This car was recently involved in an accident at the vehicle front. What could be the problem and what needs to be done? This is urgent, please help!
Wednesday, July 24th, 2013 AT 4:45 AM

19 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
When the light is on the system has recognized a fault and shut down. There should be steering angle sensor that goes out in this car which will cause the issue you have.

You will need to remove the steering wheel here is what the sensor looks like.

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.

Cheers
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Wednesday, July 24th, 2013 AT 5:35 AM
Tiny
AUTO SUPREMACY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I would like to convey my profound gratitude to Wrenchtech, though so lately, but your answer was lightning quick. It worked it cost me $67.00 for the sensor. Thanks once again. God bless
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Thursday, August 22nd, 2013 AT 10:05 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
You are welcome.
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Friday, August 23rd, 2013 AT 6:32 AM
Tiny
TOYOCORO99
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA
When turning slowly, it is hard to turn the wheel and makes noises. When pushing on the gas, it back to normal. Is it power steering pump that needs to be replaced?
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Sunday, July 15th, 2018 AT 6:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,089 POSTS
Most likely. Internal leakage in the rack and pinion steering gear will also cause loss of power assist but it will not return by raising engine speed. A weak pump will build more pressure by raising engine speed.
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Sunday, July 15th, 2018 AT 6:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PAMWYN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 240,000 MILES
The power steering on my car has become extremely hard to turn. I have checked the power steering oil in the pump and it is sufficient. I suspect that the pump is not pumping the oil, but how much does a pump cost and will it be easy enough to replace myself? Is there something I can do to verify that it is the pump and what can be done as a temporary measure to get it working again?
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Sunday, July 15th, 2018 AT 6:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
There is no temporary fix. If and only if the pump is bad, the pump is about $100.00 and the labor is 1.2 hours.

If you have never done this before, I suggest letting a shop do this repair.

Roy
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Sunday, July 15th, 2018 AT 6:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SETHIRUG
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1991 TOYOTA COROLLA
Steering problem, automatic, 115,000 miles.

Hi,

My car has started giving some noises while turning. I checked some websites and found that power steering fluid might be one of the cause. I checked the power steering fluid level and it was low when cold. I could not get AFT fluid so used Prestone and filled it to the max limit. (Maybe little more than the max.) I started driving the vehicle after one minute the noises disappeared. But now the steering is little harder than before both ways. Before I put the power steering liquid the steering was much easier. It was a problem only with the noise. Now the steering is little harder than before. Also, wanted to know if this is a problem? Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks in advance.
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Sunday, July 15th, 2018 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
You used Prestone what? Power steering fluid or coolant?

If car calls for ATF then that is what you use, not power steering fluid.

You will probably have to flush the entire system, change pump, and fill to proper level with proper fluid.
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Sunday, July 15th, 2018 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SETHIRUG
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I used power steering Fluid. I checked with locals here they said any power steering fluid we can use. That is the reason I went ahead. I also checked the air in the tires they are also low. May it cause the steering to be hard? Do you want me to fill the air pressure and check again? The steering is little harder than before but not too much. What do you recommend now?

Sekar
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Sunday, July 15th, 2018 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Most cars use power steering fluid as the hydraulic medium to run pumps, some however call for ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid). It is normally inscribed on the power steering cap as which to use. If it says ATF Dextron-II, then that is what you should use.

If you put the wrong fluid in it, it will eventually cause the pump to fail, seals to leak etc.

After checking, It says use ATF DextronII, since DextronII is not made anymore, use DextronIII.

The power steering fluid may or may not work, time will tell.
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Sunday, July 15th, 2018 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WILGAMA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
Electric power steering diagnosis procedure.
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Sunday, July 15th, 2018 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If you have electric power steering it needs to be scanned for codes for proper diagnosis there really is no other way. Make tires are inflated properly, and if you have a fluid container that it is full.
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Sunday, July 15th, 2018 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAYNESTUART
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
Steering wheel is very hard to turn. Steering fluid is full but it feels just like it is not. No squeaking, thumping or noise just really hard to steer in left or right direction. Not bad when driving straight ahead.
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Sunday, July 15th, 2018 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there.

Just make sure that the power steering belt has not come off, if still intact and tight, a faulty pump would be the next thing to investigate.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Sunday, July 15th, 2018 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SARG02
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 7,500 MILES
Steering is hard to turn at interstate speeds but turns okay at slow speeds. Can someone tell me if it is suppose to be that way?
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Sunday, July 15th, 2018 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Have the alignment checked and check fluid level in the power steering pump.
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Sunday, July 15th, 2018 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MPSR0610
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
Power steering light on in a panel. Also, steering is so hard.
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Sunday, July 15th, 2018 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
You are going to have to have the power steering module scanned for codes and let me know the exact code numbers not code descriptions. Also, a diyer consumer scan tool will not read those codes. It will take a professional scan tool to read them. You might even need that scan tool to help diagnose the problem. I would also check all the fuses.
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Sunday, July 15th, 2018 AT 7:00 PM (Merged)

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