IntimacyGel

Tonight while driving my power steering just stopped mid drive. Never came back Even after turning off car and turning over again.

I've typically only ever replaced power steering fluid when it starts making a sound, but I've flushed it <year ago. This isn't making any sound and hasn't in over a year.

My Hayes Manual says it's either the steering pump drivebelt or defective tensioner, hoses or pipes restricted or have air in them - bleed, or defective power steering pump.

I'm not sure where to start checking or which parts to buy first if this is just going to be trial and error.

Anyone have any knowledge about this? M111 engine 2002

Thanks again

LILBENZ230

You weren't recently doing any donuts or anything, no?

IntimacyGel

No, but I do drive like I'm in a gokart.... you have me intrigued... what could I have done?

LILBENZ230

It's a known thing that if you do donuts in the W203 you can blow out your PS pump. I was just asking.

IntimacyGel

I was driving a little bit today and it came back for most of the drive (not turn intensive) then when I had to turn hard, it failed again... This is probably the pump then right? Those are like $200 *sigh*

SunnyRayToronto

The "randomly" makes it sounds more like an electrical problem,... check fuse, relay and electrical plug.

hahaitzmickey

if its not leaking fluid then it most likely is the top pump, good thing the pump is on top, its very easy to change. loosen the belt off and then remove the 4 torx bolts that hold it and then the bottom fluid line bolt and its out. Note: the fluid line bolt is very very tough.. use combine 2 wrenches to give you lenght to break it loose. It is a 17mm, you will need a 17mm FLARE NUT WRENCH. Don't just use any 17mm wrench, you will be in risk of stripping the bolt. Fluid will be everything so put a pan under it. good luck, let us know how it goes and how we can help. hopefully its not the bottom unit... its a pain in the butt to take that out .

claudiagoul

you will be in risk of stripping the bolt.

IntimacyGel

Great thanks for the help guys!

Know how much a top pump goes for?

This manual should help me find success, I'll be doing this on my day off next week. The past few days since it happened have been fine. It's hasn't quit at all except right after parking (heavy load on the PS because at low speed).

I just hope I don't have to replace anything expensive...I'd like to get out of it spending less than $50, but I'm getting prepared for it to go to $200

IntimacyGel

So ever since I posted my last post 9/24, the issue went away entirely.

I know it's stupid to personify a car, but as soon as you threaten replacing parts, they start to work again lol.

Since the issue has not appeared at all (and my driving habits and routes have stayed the same) could it be maybe there was some air in the line that was eventually pushed out? That's the only thing I could think of that would fix itself. I still have absolutely no idea, but I'll think my coin purse would appreciate holding off repairing until this flat out breaks.



Some minor notes that may or may not be related. I had taken apart my stereo just before this all started 9/20 and forgot to plug back in the power to the climate control console. I plugged it back in 9/24 and that's when the power steering came back. I pretty sure these two equipment don't share the same wires, but prolly the same power source. Could it be that by some volt fluctation magic that this was the issue?

I've got no idea

tommy

I'm guessing it's just normal MB electronics; it'll seem fine until it isn't.

hahaitzmickey

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/200...ring_pump.html