The other day as my wife came up the driveway the p/* gave up the ghost. Just instantly quit. No noises, no fluid leaks, fluid level is fine. I suspect the pump but I wonder about the speed sensitve steering. Is it possible a sensor failure is causing the problem? I don't want to replace the pump and find the problem was somewhere else. Has anyone else had a similar problem or heard of one? Thanks for any help.
Mitch Armentrout

What exactly are the symptoms? Just hard to steer, or something else. Generally, if it'* hard to steer, there will be some noise with it. I replaced one on a 2000 that would steer hard at idle speeds, but be fine at others. There would be a low growl from the pump during that time, however. Replacing the pump took care of the problem, but the rebuilt pumps were quite noisy. After trying 3, I finally bought a used one from Ed Morad that has been working fine.

The pump is making no whining or growling noises. No noise out of the ordinary. The car turns equally hard in both directions and engine speed makes no change in the feel. It is like driving a car with the belt removed from the pump. This happened instantly with no warning signs at all. Steering was fine one second, power assist gone the next.

My neighbor who is an autobody man says he has heard of pumps where the pressure relief valve fails and the pump can't build pressure. Anybody else seen/heard of this?

It'* not a real common failure, but could be the cause of your problem. You could try replacing that, or just replace the pump.

Didn't get to the car this weekend. I live in southwest Michigan and spent most of the weekend moving snow. I am going to change the pump and hope that cures it.
At $70 It'* not to bad of a gamble.

Problem solved. Pump shaft had broken deep in the pump where it attaches to the pump vanes. New pump, all O.K.

That'* a odd failure. Did you change the pump yourself?

Yes. My oldest son and I did it. After it was on the bench he started to pick it up by the pulley. Instead of the whole pump he got the pulley and about 2 1/2 inches of the shaft.

Good thing it failed there and not in the car while driving. Loosing the belt will shut down the alt, and water pump. Would like to see a picture of that.