Anyone else ever have problems with the power steering pump not working until the engine is warmed up? Sometimes the pump will not work until the engine is at operating temp. doesn't always happen, but is unpredictable. I can't tell if the pump is starting to fail or if it is being caused by something else. The pump is attached to the intake manifold so it looks like it is vacuum operated.

Squealing means the PS belt is loose or frayed. Replace the belt and adjust the tension correctly. The "bouncing" is caused by the PS pump starting and stopping because the belt is loose.

Hi Theo, As you'll know water is non compressible. It is possible that the vanes in the steering pump have been damaged. Check The steering rack for signs of leakage. if the integrity of all the units are still good, disconnect the return pipe to the reservoir and place over an open container to catch expelled fluid. have a friend start up the engine and as the fluid is expelled refill with new fluid until fluid is clean and all signs of contamination have been expelled. Stop engine and reconnect the return pipe. Make sure fluid level is correct (Check with engine running). To bleed system turn steering wheel to right full lock and hold for no longer than four seconds and then repeat for left full lock. Keep repeating until steering feels normal and the sound of the pump has become so low as to be unnoticed. Don't put water there again! Regards John

if your car has an automatic trassmision , the problem is the clutcht not the ABS

If the belt and fluid levels are correct there is a good chance it may be a bigger problem. The power steering pump may be the fault. At lower speeds a worn pump isn't turning fast enough to push enough fluid. When you REV the engine your speeding up the pump pushing more fluid. Get the pump checked. If that's ok your possibly looking at a problem with the rack itself. ($$$ Ouch!).

I am not sure what type of car this is or year,make and model or engine size, i will try to help to the best of my abilty.
The first thing is to make sure the power steering fluid is full. this would be the first thing to check.
The next thing is to make sure the power steering belt is tight. A loose belt would cause the steering to get tight aand then loosen up.

While checking the fluid level look at the fluid, see if its dark and dirty as bad fluid could cause a problem also. not to common but will cause problems.

The other problems would be things you would not be able to check unless you are a tech and have the tools. the power steering pump or steering rack may be the problem also and this may be the begininng of the problem, the way it happens sometimes is that in the morning the steering may be hard to turn and as the engine warms up the steering gets better.
This is due to a bad steering pump or the steering rack, the pressure would need to be tested in the pump, this is to make sure the pump is working within specs.

In your case i would check the steering fluid and the belt and if the steerin is good now i would not worry about it until you start having more often hard steering problems. the reason i say this is so that the problem can be found. if the cars acts up once in a while then its hard to test, but when it gets worse thats when you test,
good day.

This could be caused by dirty or over-aged power steering fluid, it's not flowing enough when the engine is cold (so the fluid) lack of enough fluid flowing through power steering pump can cause the power steering pump to start whining. Change the fluid and you should be good. Hope it helps and please don't forget to rate the answer if it was helpful, it helps me, thanks!

Your powered steering pump needs checking out as it sounds like a reco pump is needed and the rest of the steering needs a good check over ,but yes do check your fluid as if its low or empty then it can cost you more
It should be checked like the rest of the car every 3000 km same as Battery/Engine oil/Brake fluid/Tyres/ etc ...

The 3100 and 3400 Engine Models have the power steering reservoir located on top of the engine on the passenger side of the vehicle, located directly on top of the power steering pump. The 3800 engine has the power steering pump located on the rear of the engine. you will want to wait until the engine is cold, some of them are a tight squeeze and can cause burns when it's hot. You have to, with the engine OFF, reach back and around and take the cap off to pull out the Cap/Dipstick and check it. Filling it is the tricky part, I have some tubing attached to the end of a funnel I use to Fill them, I currently work at a GM Dealership. Sometimes the wiring runs right on top of the reservoir, and it can be a hassle to get the cap off.

Hi Ya
Have you checked the Steering pump belt
i.e is it tight enough Or Old and slipping in the groove of the pump pulley

THESE TYPE CAN TRAP AIR DURING REFILLING, TRY REMOVE CAP ON PUMP, START ENGINE, SLOWLY TURN STEERING WHEEL, RIGHT - LEFT, CHECK FLUID FREQUENTLY WHILE DOING THIS, THIS SHOULD PURGE SYSTEM OF AIR .