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Home / Symptoms / Power Steering Light

Four common causes for a “Power Steering” warning light on the vehicle and their related parts.

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Is Your Power Steering Warning Light On?

The power steering light commonly warns about the loss of hydraulic or electric steering assist; if hydraulic, it's probably due to low power steering fluid; if electric, the electronic steering columns are probably the culprits. However, it might also be a warning about a broken internal component, like the pump, rack, or angle sensor.

Watch out: Stay alert if your car's dashboard begins to pop the "steering warning" light. Your vehicle might be under progressive damage and might require hefty repairs in the future; it'll also feature considerable safety risks. So please keep track of your car's odd behaviors and browse through our articles to find out the information you'll need to share with your go-to auto shop.

The most common causes for a power steering warning light

The most common causes for the power steering warning light are:

Contaminated steering fluid: The power steering uses hydraulic pressure to work properly, so it relies on a ‘power steering fluid,’ to achieve that. However, this fluid can become contaminated with debris, air bubbles, etc., These air bubbles are crucial in damaging the fluid's quality, impacting the whole hydraulic power steering system and causing a warning light to pop up.
Steering fluid leak: The power steering exclusively depends on the hydraulic pressure from the power steering fluid. Therefore, if the steering fluid is leaking somewhere like the power steering fluid reservoir, and losing volume, the hydraulic pressure force weakens. The power steering sensor detects a low fluid level and triggers a warning light.
Faulty angle sensor: The angle sensor gives the vehicle’s computer readings about the steering wheel’s angle. Then, the vehicle’s computer uses those readings to apply power steering and help on demand, depending on the driver’s steering wheel movements. However, if this sensor fails and gives false readings, the power steering warning light might pop up.
Faulty steering pump: The power steering pump is essential for hydraulic power steering systems. The pump pushes fluid through the lines, ensuring its hydraulic pressure is ideal. However, if the pump fails, the fluid stops reaching the spots it should, lowering hydraulic pressure and weakening the power steering performance. This type of failure triggers the power steering warning light on the dashboard.
Faulty electric steering column: An electric power steering column is a modern replacement for the hydraulic pressure steering system. The electric column uses circuitry to provide power, reducing the effort to control the vehicle while also allowing features like lane-keeping assist and self-parking. However, if it fails, the power steering loses efficiency, and a related warning light pops up on the dashboard.
Faulty steering rack: The steering rack uses a rack-and-pinion setup to convert the driver’s steering movement into motion happening between internal components to turn the vehicle properly. The steering rack uses a motor to reduce the effort to control the car. However, this motor can fail, causing a power steering warning light to pop on the dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you driving with the power steering light on?

You shouldn't. The power steering system is vital for your car handling capacity; without it, you're risking your safety. Among other symptoms, you might notice an intermittent or complete loss of power steering assistance and humming or buzzing noises when turning the steering wheel. In addition, you might see a milkshake-like appearance on the steering fluid.
Is your car low on steering fluid?

Low steering fluid can cause the power steering light to come on. Still, it's not recommended to believe it as the issue's leading factor since many other problems might surround it. Typically, low steering fluid causes the car to lose power steering assist and hum or buzz when making a curve. Additionally, if this issue involves steering fluid leaks, you might need to replenish it more frequently.
Is your car pulling to one side while moving?

The power steering light comes on when there's an issue with your vehicle's steering assistance and handling; this can happen for many factors. Modern vehicles commonly have many driver assistance systems integrated with electronic power steering technology. As a result, newer cars have many fault codes and are prompt to issue warnings on the dashboard, indicating that the system requires testing.

If this light pops on your dashboard, pay attention to these other symptoms: irregular steering when driving straight, the vehicle pulling to one specific side, warning lights for ABS, and traction control.
Is your car's dashboard displaying an EPS light?

EPS stands for Electronic Power Steering; if this system issues a warning light, there's something highly irregular on the vehicle's steering. In this case, trying anything on your car is not recommended. Instead, take it to the auto shop. If this is your vehicle's issue, you're likely noticing an intermittent or constant loss of steering assistance, noises from the steering column or below the driver's feet, and power loss when doing curves.
Are you noticing odd buzzing sounds from your car?

Yes. A weak steering pump won't be able to run enough steering fluid in the vehicle's steering system. This issue might also imply that there can be more faulty parts in your vehicle. So, the best approach is to take it for an inspection. Typically, in this case, you might notice symptoms such as bad steering, buzzing noise from the car's underhood, squealing belt noises, and low fluid levels.
Is your car getting difficult to steer?

The power steering light is just the messenger of a bigger issue. The power steering assist is a device that reduces steering effort. Do not risk driving while your car is in this state, for its steering system has underlying faulty components; there are substantial safety risks in doing so. Instead, note your car's symptoms, such as loss of power steering assistance, noises coming from the steering column or below the driver's seat, and difficulty making sharp turns at low speeds. Then, share them with an auto shop's service advisor.

Typical fixes to address the cause(s)

These are typical processes and repair services that fix a check engine light issue

The most common cause: Steering fluid issues

The most common reason for a car dashboard to show a power steering warning light is because of steering fluid issues like contamination or leaks. The steering fluid moves around the system, using hydraulic pressure to ensure components move properly without effort, making it extra easy for the driver to turn and control the vehicle. However, this fluid can leak, losing volume and lowering the hydraulic pressure’s potential, making power steering weaker. Additionally, the steering fluid can also get contaminated with debris or air bubbles, making it difficult to perform properly with hydraulic pressure. This type of problem triggers a power steering warning light on the dashboard.

Symptoms it causes: Apart from the power steering warning light, you might notice difficulty steering, squealing noises, extra tire wear, etc.
High risk of priority: Power steering fluid issues can make it difficult to control the vehicle while driving. Plus, if the steering system continuously suffers from bad hydraulic pressure caused by fluid issues, components can overstress and fail, extending the needed repairs.

How exactly does the power steering get bad?

Power steering is something only hydraulic or electric-hydraulic vehicles use. For these types of vehicles, checking and maintaining power steering fluid should be somewhat regular — not as much as an oil change, though. This fluid goes through lines, depending on valves and seals that can crack, allowing air to infiltrate and contaminate the fluid. Alternatively, fluid can escape through the faulty sealings. It’s advisable to check this fluid’s condition and level every 30,000 miles.

Go safe: Ask for a mechanic to inspect your vehicle’s power steering system to investigate the power steering fluid issue and see if it means further damage. Many shops do transparent vehicle inspections and lay out your options after investigating your vehicle’s conditions.

What’s a vehicle inspection? It’s “detective work” on your vehicle, checking its systems to see if anything prevents the car from working as expected. In this case, mechanics examine different parts of your vehicle to track what’s causing the power steering to go bad. They’ll also check the condition of components during their inspection, noting which are causing the problem and which got affected by it, recommending to replace them in order of priority.

Transparency example in a power steering fluid leak service

A power steering system inspection is the most transparent process to understand why your vehicle’s power steering fluid is contaminated/leaking. Let’s read an example of how this kind of inspection helps to service a leaking power steering fluid issue with efficiency.

In a scheduled service, a customer stated their car’s dashboard was displaying a power steering warning light; they also mentioned some dark fluid spots under the vehicle. The technician, with suspicion of a power steering fluid-related issue, started checking under the vehicle.

In a closer look, the technician got to the O-ring seals at the steering gear, which stays under the vehicle. Then, the expert noticed some brown-colored fluid coming from the O-ring seal.

The O-ring seemed very dry and crackly, explaining why it wasn’t sealing well. The image below shows the technician’s first look at the seal.

Leaking O Ring Seals

In this case, the mechanic put the “Immediate Action” tag on the O-seal to ensure power steering repair.

Similar Symptoms

Below are just a few examples of typical Symptoms and Fixes your car might be experiencing

Four common causes for a “check engine” light on the vehicle and their related parts.

Is Your Power Steering Warning Light On?

The most common causes for a power steering warning light

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you driving with the power steering light on?

Is your car low on steering fluid?

Is your car pulling to one side while moving?

Is your car's dashboard displaying an EPS light?

Are you noticing odd buzzing sounds from your car?

Is your car getting difficult to steer?

Typical fixes to address the cause(s)

The most common cause: Steering fluid issues

How exactly does the power steering get bad?

Transparency example in a power steering fluid leak service

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