Why does my power steering cut in and out? - 1991 Acura Legend

What is possibly happening is when you brake, there is a vacuum leak caused by the power brake system, this reduces the engine rpm, which in turn effects the power steering which makes it feel like the steering is locking up. This can also happen with a vacuum leak anywhere in the engine or things like a faulty idle adjustment control.... Turn the vehicle on, place your foot on the brake, if the idle speed increases dramatically you have a problem. Then put the vehiclein drive with your foot on the brake. If it nearly dies, again, you have an issue.
There are many different things on an engine that can create vacuum leaks. EGR Valves, IAC solenoid, PCV valves, the list goes on....
Good luck finding this particular issue!

Hi Sherita

Obviously this could be very dangerous

Pull in to a Volvo dealer & get it checked

There could be a re call of your model if this is a known Volvo problem.
Volvo pride themselves on their Vehicle Safety.
Dealer shouldn't charge for a possible manufacturing problem

The power steering works off the engine, so if engine not running, no power steering. It sounds like to me that a good place to start would be the fuel filter. If the fuel filter is plugged, it may allow enough fuel to go through to run the vehicle for a few minutes but not allow enough through to sustain continued operation. The fuel pump is also a consideration.

Power Brakes & Power Steering have not
worked in 60 years when vehicle shuts off

Hello the best way to go and the easiest would be to cut the line and use a 6 point deep socket for a fact if the line is some what seized you might strip the fitting using a wrench just be sure you have a replacement in hand before cutting the old one off.The best method i use is a hack saw with a drain pan to catch the steering fluid when the line is cut.You will need to put the car on ramps and start at the steering rack end cut and remove with socket.Repeat method up top at rear of power steering pump if necessary these usually stay clean so close to the motor if it causes to much grief just cut as the same as bottom and remove the fitting.Now reinstall your new line lower it down fasten the top first do not tighten it up until you have the bottom threaded in first and tightened up .Now go back tighten the top,top up your power steering reservoir with power steering fluid make sure no leaks are present.Now you can back the car down with the car running work the steering wheel all the way to the left then all the way right this will insure all the air is out and the winding gurgle noise goes away once doing so keep =checking fluid top up to full line and your job is completed don't forget to check it the next day to be sure fluid level did not drop or lower.

The power steering hose,goes down under the power steering pump,it goes directly down from the pump,and cuts under the engine to the rack and pinion,both hoses do.If this was helpful,please rate,thank you.

There are sensors in the steering column. they are going bad and the whole steering column will need replaced more than likely. waiting for a recall from gm but this is a big safety issue that needs immediate attention. gm will reimburse you if you already have payed to have it fixed and they issue a recall.

you need to replace either your high pressure line or your return line before you go and replace the entire power steering pump which could have a leak in it too. somehow you are losing fluid presure somewhere due to a leak .

I WORK FOR A CHEVROLET DEALER. THE THINGS THAT WE CHANGE MOST OFTEN IN THE HHR ARE THE RACK, INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, AND THE STEERING COLUMN.

IF THE STEERING IS CUTTING OUT IT'S USUALLY IN THE STEERING CONTROL MODULE. THERE IS USUALLY A CODE WHEN THE STEERING CUTS OUT. UNFORTUNATELY THE ONLY FIX IS REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN.

MOST OF THE STEERING NOISES COME FROM THE RACK AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. BUT THE COLUMN WILL ALSO MAKE NOISE BUT IT WILL SOUND DIFFERENT.

you may have to change the pump cuz the front seal may be gone and wont leak till underload