# Powerless Steering! **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** fluids, parkingbrakes, steering, buick\ **Created:** [January 27, 2011, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/powerless-steering/60547 "2011-01-27T23:29:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jeepheap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Jeepheap](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jeepheap)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/powerless-steering/60547/1 "2011-01-27T23:29:44Z")
The power steering is not working in our 2001 Buick Park Avenue. It worked yesterday but today, nothing, at all. We did not hear any noises. The fluid level is good and I don’t believe that there is a fuse, as this runs off of the drive belt. The fluid did smell a bit “burnt”. Does anyone have experience with this issue? Anything will help. Thanks!-Jeepheap ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 11:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/powerless-steering/60547/2 "2011-01-27T23:33:26Z")
Is the power steering drive belt still intact? ---
**Author:** ![Jeepheap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Jeepheap](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jeepheap)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 11:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/powerless-steering/60547/3 "2011-01-27T23:37:43Z")
Is that a separate belt on this car? I thought everything ran on the serpentine belt, which is intact and in good shape. ---
**Author:** ![jimgray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e99b99/32.png) [@jimgray](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jimgray)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 11:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/powerless-steering/60547/4 "2011-01-27T23:43:46Z")
it is possible to have a broken shaft on the pump ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 12:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/powerless-steering/60547/5 "2011-01-28T00:11:26Z")
There is no fuse. You are correct. There’s a good chance your pump is failing. I’ve posted some links with information on how to determine that. Hoepfully they’ll help. [http://www.isomedia.com/homes/benzspg/powrster.htm](http://www.isomedia.com/homes/benzspg/powrster.htm) [http://searchwarp.com/swa34866.htm](http://searchwarp.com/swa34866.htm) > **[How to Diagnose Power Steering Problems](https://itstillruns.com/diagnose-power-steering-problems-4812278.html)** > > The steering system in your car is made up of several components that can fail after years of use. Some problems may be obvious as soon as they start; others may become apparent too late, forcing you to replace major components. Take steps to... ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 12:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/powerless-steering/60547/6 "2011-01-28T00:35:28Z")
Turn the wheel fully to the right or left and keep pressure on it to turn it further while someone watches and listens to the power steering pump and pulley. Remove the reservoir cap and look for fluid flowing. Post results. ---
**Author:** ![Jeepheap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Jeepheap](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jeepheap)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 2:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/powerless-steering/60547/7 "2011-01-28T02:35:24Z")
We can’t turn the wheel while the car is not moving. I don’t weigh enough to turn that Buick! Also, the location of the fluid reservoir makes it impossible to remove the cap or look in the reservoir while the car is running without getting all tangled in the serpentine belt. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 3:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/powerless-steering/60547/8 "2011-01-28T03:28:32Z")
Can you SEE the pump?? Is the pulley turning? ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 1:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/powerless-steering/60547/9 "2011-01-28T13:45:05Z")
Sorry. Tough Love. Take It To A Mechanic. [list]You can’t even muscle the steering on a vehicle without operating power steering.[/list] [list]You can’t tell if you’ve got one serpentine belt or a P.S. belt operating the pump.[/list] [list]You can’t figure out how to remove the cap from the tank on the pump and use a mirror and flashlight to safely observe the fluid (Yes, I know exactly the difficult position the pump / cap are in on these 3.8Ls).[/list] All you have is the wish to DIY and none of the prerequisite aptitude or abilities. How in the world would you fix it even if you could diagnose it ? CSA