2001 civic lx power steering stopped working once but it's working again

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Feb 21, 2019

sean_incali

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2001 civic lx power steering stopped working once but it's working again

I have a 2001 civic lx with 190K miles. I got it used and put on very little miles. no more than a few hundred miles. i'll drive it maybe 2 times a week. Last week I was driving it to run some errands and got to the store, and all of sudden, the power steering stopped working.

i was able to still steer it and parked. And after I got done with my errands, I came out worried sick, and started the car, and the power steering was working fine again.

So I got some sealer and steering fluid to put it in, but I've noticed that is was full already. (wasted 8 bucks)

Does anyone know what's going on here? Should I be worried about this? What should I do if I'm making a turn at pretty good speed and the steering goes out again?

Any help is appreciated.

Last edited by sean_incali; Feb 21, 2019 at 02:43 AM.

Feb 21, 2019

Colin42

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Re: 2001 civic lx power steering stopped working once but it's working again

do not put that sealing crap in

Feb 21, 2019

NDNV

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Re: 2001 civic lx power steering stopped working once but it's working again

Get the power steering system checked: pump pressures, leaks or hose deformations, etc.

Feb 21, 2019

sean_incali

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Re: 2001 civic lx power steering stopped working once but it's working again

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin42

do not put that sealing crap in

what's wrong with it? I didn't put it in, because it was already full.

Feb 21, 2019

sean_incali

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Re: 2001 civic lx power steering stopped working once but it's working again

Quote:

Originally Posted by NDNV

Get the power steering system checked: pump pressures, leaks or hose deformations, etc.

even if it's fine now? i ask because i don't have much extra cash. could it be a temporary problem that resolved itself?

Feb 22, 2019

Colin42

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Re: 2001 civic lx power steering stopped working once but it's working again

Quote:

Originally Posted by sean_incali

what's wrong with it? I didn't put it in, because it was already full.

you will cause more problems because it will gum up everything

Feb 22, 2019

sean_incali

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Re: 2001 civic lx power steering stopped working once but it's working again

i see. ok thank you. i haven't put it in because it's already full.

Feb 23, 2019

Slumpertcivic

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Re: 2001 civic lx power steering stopped working once but it's working again

Possible the belt was slipping due to being worn or splashed water on it.

More likely pressure relief system in the pump is failing.

I would at least dump and refill the resivior, start car turn wheel lock to lock three times then dump again and repeate until fluid starts staying clean. Usually 4-5 times.