Power steering intermittent pressure

The string wheel is intermittent on pressure if you hold it in one place it will jump while sitting idel also while taking corners it jumps like the pressure is good and then a little stiff and it does this a few times a second

My car has 200000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello. The symptom you are having is more commonly known as "pulsing". Some of the pulsing can be explained by the power steering pump and system. The pump may be failing or leaking. In fact you should start by checking the power steering fluid level. If its low you want to look into finding the leak and fixing it. One of the most common areas to leak is from the pump itself. Second to that, with your vehicle being 15 years old, the suspension and other steering components may be going as well. These failing linkage parts can add extra stress onto the pump as well. These can play a large part in what you feel at the wheel. Check you tie rods, idler arm, and all linkage as well. Some further inspection is needed, but the issue is likely related to the power steering system.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

Intermittently stiff hydraulic steering

Most recently this problem seems to be caused by aerated power steering fluid or binding steering components. Quickly checking both will identify which is causing the problem.

The most common cause of a stiff steering wheel is when you are running low on power steering fluid in your system. Often, this happens when there is a leak in the system from the pressurized hose area. Most of the time, it is due to a cracked or loose hose causing the fluid to leak out.
Improper Fluid Levels

Too much and your valves and seals could collapse under the pressure. Not enough and the fluid can`t exert the force needed to turn your car. Replacing your fluid on time will help prevent this issue, but any leaks can cause a loss of fluid that will ultimately lead to power steering failure.

If the power steering pump pulley starts to fail or intermittently binds, you might notice that your car`s steering will either not respond well when you turn the wheel, or it will respond excessively.
A sure sign of air in the system is what sounds like a mildly disgruntled cat under the hood. This growling will get louder during power steering-intensive movements such as parallel parking. The first thing to check when the power steering starts moaning and groaning is the fluid level.
Cause: The power steering pump is not providing sufficient pressure to operate the power steering rack/box correctly at engine idle revs. Most power steering pumps create pressure by forcing the power steering fluid into smaller space using rotating vanes or cylinders.
Either every two years or every seventy-five thousand miles (whichever comes first!), you should change your power steering fluid out.
Answered by CarsGuide. The power steering is an electrical system, so a problem with the battery could affect the power assistance. You should still be able to steer the car even without power assistance. It won`t affect the braking.
Either every two years or every seventy-five thousand miles (whichever comes first!), you should change your power steering fluid out.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Could the power steering pressure sensor cause my steering wheel to be hard or hard to steer?
ANSWER : Hello. The pressure switch (or "sensor") on your vehicle supplies a signal to the engine computer to increase engine idle speed as the power steering line pressure increases. If the switch were bad, what you would notice is the engine stalling or idle speed dropping very low as you turn the wheel toward the extreme left or right position.

If the engine is not slowing or stalling when you turn the wheel, then the switch is probably OK. Among the causes of excessive steering effort are very low tire pressure, low power steering fluid or trapped air in the system, damaged or loose power steering belt, and damaged steering rack.

If you would like to have this resolved, a certified professional from YourMechanic can diagnose your steering issue and follow through with needed repairs.

Is the power steering pressure hose the same as thr power steering pump
ANSWER : The power steering pump and pressure hose for the power steering are two separate parts. The pump may be damaged from running the system low on fluid from a leaking pressure hose. You may have to replace both of them.

Very loud pop when turning sharp left leaking transmission or power steering fluid where steering column meet rack
ANSWER : Hi there. If everything else has already been installed from the donor vehicle then it sounds like the high pressure hose is all that you need to install. The hardest part of doing this is the routing. One thing you may also want to double check is that the donor vehicle and your 2003 Escape have the same rack. There are different models depending on the model and the size of your wheels. You need to install the pressure line first, but if it does not line up then you may have the wrong rack installed. If you would like some assistance installing this hose, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [replace your high pressure steering hose] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/power-steering-pressure-hose-replacement

Major Leak of power steering fluid
ANSWER : Hello…it sounds like you have a loose or faulty hose connection. Of course, it is also possible that a coincidental leak developed, for instance in a rusted steel tube on the return side, at the same time that you were doing this repair. A YourMechanic specialist could diagnosis this for you and assist you with the repair of your power steering and inspect your vehicle for leaks.

power steering fluid is leaking
ANSWER : With a power steering fluid leak that big, you certainly should have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible to find the exact cause. Any of the components you listed can be the source of the leak. The power steering pump as well as the rack & pinion steering unit rely on the fluid for lubrication as well as cooling. The whining you hear is from the pump when the fluid runs low or empty. Your issue can be caused by something as simple as a fluid hose right now, but continued ’running dry" of the power steering fluid, can result in damage to both the pump and the rack & pinion unit. If that happens, you can take what may be a repair of a few hundred dollars and turn it into a repair of a couple of thousand dollars.

I had a warning message in my 2013 Ford Fusion that the power steering assist failed. I have power steering capability now. Is it safe to drive?
ANSWER : Some 2013 Ford Fusion models are part of a safety recall involving loss of steering assist. Contact your dealer with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or check your VIN number on safercar.gov to verify if this recall applies to your vehicle. Loss of steering assist can be dangerous if you are caught off guard. It would be best to not drive the vehicle. Contact your dealer to have it towed to their location.

power steering problem.
ANSWER : Hello. Noise could be a sign of trapped air, low fluid level, or a mechanical fault in the pump. While the system is cold, check the fluid level. If the fluid level is OK, remove the cap and turn the steering wheel left and right to full extent while it is on. If there is air in the system, that will help purge it. Replace the cap. If the noise remains, it needs to be determined if it is coming from the pump or another accessory, pulley, or belt. YourMechanic has experts in this type of power steering diagnosis and once the fault is found, they will let you know of the cost to repair.

had power steering pump replaced but power steering fluid is leaking
ANSWER : This suggests that you may have a leak somewhere else in your power steering system such as one of the hoses or the rack and pinion system. As you may know, the power steering system is a highly pressurized system that can have as much as 300+psi of pressure in the system at times, so it is not uncommon for these types of leaks to happen. If you’d like to get this fixed, I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose the leak in your power steering system and make the the necessary repairs to fix it.