Power Steering suddenly stopped working.

My power steering on my 2000 grand am suddenly stopped working. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what this might be? The fluid level was just slightly low so I added a few drops. There are no signs of leaks. Belt is fine and there is no noise. Any help would be appreciated.

Dean W

if the fluid was run to low then there could be a bunch of air bubbles in the lines and in the rack&pinion. For such a new car the PSP shouldn't be broke. its not impossible but not likly. Try runing the car, start adding PS fluid a little at a time to try and evacuate the air.
Did it make any noise before it died, like a growling sound? I thought my pump was bad, I replaced the hoses on my 99' and replaced the filter and it works like new. Ya some newer GAs have a filter in the PS lines down by the R&P. Hope this helps.

It just stopped working. I pulled over to the curb to let someone out, ut it in reverse and had a hell of a time turning the wheel. There was no warning sign at all. No grinding, no squeeling. I'm thinking I might try changing the pump but I'm not sure if I'm going to need a puller. I'll check it again when I get some free time.

Thanks for your info.

Dean W

Kinda sound slike my 2000. One day the wheel would hardly move. The fluid was all over the ground. Put new hoses on at the shop. Damn thing still wines but the wheel is very loose and the fluid is fine. Juts can't figure out what the whine is.

Dean, you do need a power steering pully puller. But I wouldnt be sure thats the trouble. Is the fluid leaking anywhere? it has to go somewhere if it low or out of fluid. it doesnt evaporate. This 2000 is it a 4 or v6?

Tonyr the pump normaly makes a little noise. My 99' after i replaced my hoses still was REAL noisy so I drained the fluid in the Pump and lines and flushed with synthetic Power Steering Fluid. Now its quiet, smooth as silk.

Kinda sound slike my 2000. One day the wheel would hardly move. The fluid was all over the ground. Put new hoses on at the shop. Damn thing still wines but the wheel is very loose and the fluid is fine. Juts can't figure out what the whine is.
Hey tony I have a 2000 ga aswell same problems whiiining power steering pump that for the most part is working good. Mine doesnt leak tho not ever...... Anyhow this sound is a indicator the pump is on its last legs could die anytime a day or 10 years who knows? I priced myself a new pump last week for $100 not a rebult one a brand new one. Theres 3 to choose from $100 , - $300 for variable effort power steering.
If you can tolerate the sound then let it die were men here right? Arm strong it till you get a pump it wont hurt nothing unless it seezes bad and the belt smokes off the pulley. I was amazed the pump was only $100 bucks the one for my 85 was over $250 lol

Yeah, I figured it was the pump too but the mechanic said the pump was still good after he put the new hoses on. Who knows? The wheel is smooth as silk so I can handle a little noise. It's my wife's car anyway :)

My steering went out on my 2000 GT this past winter. It only had about 50,000 miles, it turned out to be a broken/damaged return line for the fluid. I was driving to work, just about to turn left and there it went, all of a sudden. Had the dealership fix it under ext. warranty. I could only easily see a leak from mine because there was some snow on the ground, and only as I would turn the wheel left and right.......was dripping off of the rack and the front axle, frame. Not a fun sight when all ur PS fluid leaks all over ur F*ckin' engine bay and underneath; course, it can't hurt to add that to all the crusted, burnt-on dex-cool on the outside of my block too....(

My steering went out on my 2000 GT this past winter. It only had about 50,000 miles, it turned out to be a broken/damaged return line for the fluid. I was driving to work, just about to turn left and there it went, all of a sudden. Had the dealership fix it under ext. warranty. I could only easily see a leak from mine because there was some snow on the ground, and only as I would turn the wheel left and right.......was dripping off of the rack and the front axle, frame. Not a fun sight when all ur PS fluid leaks all over ur F*ckin' engine bay and underneath; course, it can't hurt to add that to all the crusted, burnt-on dex-cool on the outside of my block too....(
Wow your engine is a little leaky buddy. Was the dex leak from a intake gasket failure?

yes mark, the dex cool was from the intake gasket, no surprise there. coolant residue, marks on the driver's side from the upper manifold downward.....oil marks all around the valve covers and on the pass side...ps fluid sprayed all over my underhood insulation, and all over my pinion and backside of tranny. it looks so s*itty, i don't think anyone would want to buy it if i ever tried to sell.

I too it to the garage. The pump shaft snapped and could be removed just by pulling it out of the PS pump. $284.00 installed. Thanks for the help everyone.

I took it to the garage. The pump shaft snapped and could be removed just by pulling it out of the PS pump. $284.00 installed. Thanks for the help everyone.