Problems with the steering wheel.

[Hug13]

I have a Jeep 1996 grand cherokee v8 120,000 miles Sometimes the steering wheel wont respond while driving. I have to stop the vehicle shut it down and restart it for the steering wheel to work again, any ideas what could be causing this?? Is it a computer problem or a problem with the hydrolics?or sensors? thanks for any aswer

[speediva]

For starters, for the safety of you and others, please don't drive this vehicle until you've gotten it serviced! Not having any way to control the direction of the vehicle is terrifying!

Have you noticed anything happening just prior to the steering wheel locking up? Perhaps it's only when it rains? Or maybe it's at a certain speed?

[fredjacksonsan]

Is it completely unable to steer, or is it just very very difficult? If it's difficult, first thing I'd check would be the serpentine belt to make sure it is powering the power steering unit.

Then, with 120k I would replace the power steering fluid. There have been a few Jeeps on here that developed steering issues (mostly in winter) with old fluid.

A turkey baster works very well for removing old fluid. Replace/refill with fresh, turn lock to lock a few times, and repeat until it's coming out same color as it's going in.

As suggested, be very careful driving until you're sure it is fixed. It could be that the power steering pump is going out on you; but I'd try the other options first.