Why is The Power Steering Light On?

Power steering is one of those systems in our vehicles that often goes taken for granted and is mostly forgotten while operating properly. That is, until it experiences a failure. The loss of power steering can be one of the most abrupt and worrying sensations while driving, as you lose the hydraulic or electric steering assistance you’ve come to rely on so much. This leaves you having to turn the entire weight of the vehicle yourself, which becomes extremely difficult at low speeds.

The power steering system provides us with assistance when turning the steering wheel, which is accomplished through either hydraulic fluid or electric motors. In this article, we’ll cover what the power steering warning light means, what could be causing it, and how.

What is Power Steering?

Power steering systems allow us to easily turn our vehicles without needing to wrestle with the entire weight of the vehicle. This is traditionally done through the use of hydraulic fluid, however, electric power steering systems have become increasingly popular in modern vehicles due to their compact design and superior reliability, as well as the ability to tie into other modern driving assists such as electronic stability control (ESC) and active cruise control.  

Hydraulic systems use a pump driven from the engine’s accessory belt to pressurize the power steering fluid, which due to being incompressible, transfers and amplifies the force rather than absorbing it. Through this process, the power steering system makes the steering wheel much easier to turn with the use of hydraulic pressure.

Electric steering systems operate quite differently and forgo hydraulics entirely, using a set of sensors and motors within the steering column to lessen the resistance of the steering wheel when turning.

Both of these systems are fairly complicated, and even the smallest issue within them can produce symptoms such as the power steering warning light. 

Common Causes of Power Steering Warning Light

The power steering warning light often appears as a red steering wheel icon with an exclamation point next to it. The specific icon used for the light can vary by make and model. 

While it may be obvious that this light is warning you of an issue within your power steering system, what specific problems could this light represent? We’ll cover some common causes of warning lights for both hydraulic and electronic systems.

Hydraulic Power Steering

Low Fluid Levels

Possibly the most common cause of issues in hydraulic power steering systems is a lack of fluid. Hydraulic power steering systems use pressurized fluid to transfer and amplify force from the brake pedal to the calipers. 

Over time, the power steering system can begin to lose this fluid through leaks within the fluid lines. When the system has an inadequate volume of fluid, air pockets will develop within the line. These gaps in hydraulic pressure force the power steering pump to work harder without proper lubrication.

This increased stress on the pump can cause a few unusual symptoms, such as a whining noise when turning the steering wheel, difficulty turning the vehicle, and of course, the power steering warning light. Letting your pump run with inadequate fluid can lead to complete failure, leaving you with no hydraulic pressure in your steering system. It’s important to have fluid issues dealt with immediately to avoid further damage to your components.

Contaminated Fluid

Similar to low fluid levels, contaminated power steering fluid can also cause similar symptoms and failures in your power steering pump. With use over time, the hydraulic fluid can accumulate contaminants from debris and moisture within the lines, gumming up the fluid and causing the pump to strain itself and potentially fail.

Failing Pump

If your pump has reached the point of failure, either due to low/contaminated fluid or simply age, it can also cause an illuminated power steering warning light. A failing pump will often emit a loud squealing or screeching sound as you turn the wheel. If you’re experiencing an active power steering light and/or hear unusual noises, you should have your steering system inspected by a trusted professional as soon as possible.

Electric Power Steering

Bad Sensors

Sensors like the torque sensor and steering angle sensor provide crucial information to the power steering system’s control module, which controls the amount of steering assistance from the motors located in the steering column. 

When one or more of these sensors fails, it can provide faulty information to the control module, causing malfunctions within the power steering system and leading to the dreaded warning light. 

Electrical Faults

Similar to faulty sensors, even the smallest issue or short in the wiring of your system may prevent the whole power steering assembly from working as intended. Diagnosing electrical faults can be like finding a needle in a haystack, and is best left to a trusted professional who can provide you with a deep-dive diagnostic and locate the source of your issue. 

Power Steering Services at Red Rock Repair in Summerlin, Las Vegas

If you’re experiencing an active power steering warning light, or any other issues with your steering system, trust the expert technicians at Red Rock Repair in Summerlin to pinpoint the source of your issue and return your vehicle to performing like it should. Give us a call or schedule online with us today to secure an appointment with our friendly and knowledgeable team!