Power steering stops working at very low speed and idle. Is it the ps pump?

Heavy steering (not caused by neglected low tyre pressures) is usually related to a problem or failure with the power steering pump system.
Items to check on the Power Steering (PS) System
1. Is the serpentine belt slipping on the power steering pump pulley because it is old and worn and needs to be replaced? If it is slipping it will likely be slipping on other pulleys also.

2. You have allowed the power steering fluid to run low and the PS pump is starved and is sucking air. Running the fluid low will damage the PS pump and the steering rack. Low fluid in the PS reservoir is normally a sign of a fluid leak in the system. A leak could be on a system hose, in the PS pump or in the steering rack.

3. The PS pump may have failed, hence cannot produce the required pressure in the PS system, and needs to be replaced.

ck belt make sure tight if so i say pump

More than likely it is still the power steering pump. What is happening is the fluid is heating up and thinning out and cycling through the pump causing it to work normally. There is actually a SB about the hard steer at low speeds on the Odyssey - contact your local dealer and they should be familiar with this issue.

See if you have "variable assist power steering" with a malfunction. A solenoid may be mounted on the steering rack, provides less PS at higher speeds, full power steering capability at slow speeds or when stopped. Your belt is tight for the pump?

What is the idling RPM of the engine when this is happening? There are many different types of power steering systems out there these days on vehilcles. It would make it a bit easier if we had a little more information before we give you advice. Year, Make Model, Milage, ect...Any other known issues with vehilce? Yes, the most likely culprit could be the pump because as time goes on the internal pump compoinents start to wear down and the tolerances become to great and at low rmp it cannot keep the proper pressure needed to give adequate power assist to the steering gear.
Hope this helps
Sincerely'
Roger

Hello, This could be an indication your A/C is low on Freon or your Power Steering pump is low on fluid. Both systems are made to increase the idle speed to make the system work better. What happens in the case of the A/C, is the A/C compressor puts a strain on the motor when it engages the electric clutch on the compressor.

The A/C is wired such that when the compressor clutch engages, the engine RPM is increased to maintain the idle speed. The controls do this automatically and when your compressor is low of Freon, there is little resistance and the engine overspeeds. You are burning up your compressor if you lose the lubricant packaged inside it. That noise you hear is a dry compressor.

Turn your A/C or Defroster off and see if the overspeed and the noise stop. The compressor will run in the Defrost cycle too! Eventually your A/C will lose more of the Freon until the low pressure switch cuts the power to the compressor completely.

Some front wheel drive cars have a boost sensor in the power steering assembly for increasing the idle speed when you are turning the steering at low speeds. If the fluid level is low, it tricks the sensor into speeding up the idle to assist steering. Like in the A/C example, you can get overspeed when the fluid levels are low.

I hope my solution is very helpful in fixing your problem. Have your Freon checked or throw in an "OIL Charge" with the proper type of oil for your compressor. Then check your Power steering.

YOU HAVE AIR IN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM.YOU NEED TO BLEED POWER STEERING PUMP FIRST BEFORE DRIVING VECHICLE.CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL ADD MORE POWER STEERING UNTIL REACH FULL COLD MARK..RAISE VECHICLE FRONT WHEELS OFF THE GROUND.START ENGINE LET IT IDLE WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL LEFT TO RIGHT NON STOP DONT LOCK OR STOP STEERING WHEEL KEEP TURNING IT SEVERAL TIMES CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID IF LOW ADD UNTIL YOU GET COLD MARK ON DIP STICK DONT OVER FILL POWER STEERING PUMP BLOW A SEAL.IF POWER STEERING FLUID LOOK TAN COLOR SYSTEM FULL OF AIR.TURN OFF IGNITION LET CAR SET FOR A WHILE CHECK FLUID LEVEL.IF STEERING WHEEL FEEL STIFF HARD TURNING DONT DRIVE CAR UNTIL YOU HAVE NORMAL STEERING.IF STILL HAVE AIR IN SYSTEM BLEED SYSTEM UNTIL AIR IS OUT.

Your PS pump is fine.

This vehicle has:

Variable-assist power steering: A power steering system that uses valves and speed sensors to vary the amount of steering assist according to engine or road speed. At slow speeds more steering assist is delivered and steering the wheels is easier; necessary for parking, etc.. At higher speeds, steering assist is reduced and more steering effort is required to steer the car, giving the driver greater feel of the road. Also known as Speed-sensitive power steering.

Loss of current to the magnetic coils would cause a loss of power assist at low speed. Coil resistance can be checked with an ohmmeter, and should read about two ohms. An infinite (open) reading indicates a bad coil (requires replacing the rack since the coils are not serviceable). Checking for shorts between both sides of the coil assembly and rack housing is also recommended.

Best wishes

raise the truck up and turn the wheels left to right, you most likely have air in the lines.

This is a hydro boost brake system that runs of your power steering so if the power steering fluid is low then you will have no brakes and no steering or if the ps. pump stops pumping then the same thing will happen check for proper fluid level check for broken ps belt if they are find then suspect a bad ps. pump:]