Power Steering

[Wully10]

I have a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am V6 and was doing a quick U-turn and my power steering failed for a few seconds and has been normal since...do i just need more power steering fluid or is there another problem?

Thanks.

[J-Ri]

Hmm... are you low on power steering fluid? If not, I would suspect another problem. If yours has the EVO system on it, that's the first place I would look.... there's not really anything on a traditional P/S system that would cause it to not work unless your belt and/or tensioner is so bad that the belt is slipping over the pulley.

[Wully10]

Im not really sure...it is the SE1 Grand am...pin an rack steering? Not to sure where to look, oh and i have enough power steering fluid.

What's EVO and P/S?

[J-Ri]

EVO is Electronically Variable Orifice, the computer can vary the opening in the valve to increase steering effort at highway speeds which makes the car feel like it floats around less. If you spun a tire, perhaps the computer saw a higher vehicle speed and closed the valve a bit? The valve is right behind the P/S pump, I believe Xeroinfinity has a picture of one posted somewhere. Not all cars have it, so don't spend too much time searching for it. Did you check the belt/tensioner?

P/S is Power Steering

EDIT: here's the link to the EVO pic http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=901624

[Wully10]

Ya, i am betting one of my tires just spun, i went for parked to doing a quick u-turn...i didnt check the belt yet. Thanks.

It has been fine since then.