Power Steering problem

[hexer311]

I just bought a used 1999 olds intrigue and i'm having a little bit of difficutly with it. Everything is great except the power steering. It works fine untill i drive for a while then stop and try to park. When i try and parallel park the steering wheel locks up almost completely. The car has park assist and magnasteer and i guess 1 of the 2 isn't working properly. Does anyone know why it would lock up after driving for awhile and only while trying to park at very low speeds?

[99Intrigue]

I have the same problem with my '99 Intrigue with the 3.8L engine and no Park Assist but it does not happen everytime I try to paralel park, just once in a while. It almost feels like the front wheels are in wise.
Let us know if you find a solution.

[oldsintrigue99]

I had the same problem with my 99 3.8L intrigue. My power steering rack was bad.

[retsbreh]

I dont know if it will help or not. You may already know about it but I have gotton a recall on something having to do with my power steering. You may want to call your dealership and ask them if you have an recalls on your car.

[dkbluintrigue]

I have a 2000 Intrigue. Just the other day I was pulling into a parking space and the power steering just quit. I was making a left hand turn into the space. What is puzzling is that if I turn the wheel to the right the power steering works just fine, it just does not work turning left. I am in the process of getting it towed to the dealer. Anybody have any ideas ?

[ofarmer]

Originally Posted by dkbluintrigue

I have a 2000 Intrigue. Just the other day I was pulling into a parking space and the power steering just quit. I was making a left hand turn into the space. What is puzzling is that if I turn the wheel to the right the power steering works just fine, it just does not work turning left. I am in the process of getting it towed to the dealer. Anybody have any ideas ?

I have a 1998 Intrigue with same problem. The dealer replaced steering rack for $1300. I believe that this is the smae problem that was the subject of a GM recall, but recall doesn't apply to vehicles manufactured after 10/1997. Search the internet for GM steering recall for more info.

[jmlangeveld]

My 1998 Intrigue had the same problem. I sucked out the old PS fluid in the resovoir and replaced with Lucas Power Steering Additive. This stuff made the steering really stiff in cold weather and I would not recommend it. I finally found an additive that worked really well and now my steering works great and doesn't stiffen up when I try to park. Go to NAPA and buy some LubeGuard power steering additive and conditioner (a really small bottle). Follow the instructions on the bottle and see how it works. This would be worth a shot and it is a cheap fix. (LubeGuard Red works great as an additive in the transmission as well).

Also, the power steering resovoir on my 1998 (3800 V6) was kind of hard to find. It is below the alternator near the firewall (kind of low). I think GM makes low quality power steering pumps because my car's power steering has whined the whole time I have had it--very annoying.

[drmaccord]

If you have to get the rack replaced, contact GM. I contacted them and they have offered to share the cost with me.