Power steering getting harder to turn

2006 KIA SORENTO
150,000 MILES • 3.5L • 6 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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CLIF MORRIS
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Within the last week or so, my power steering seems to be getting harder. It was intermittent for about 2 weeks before then. When you turn it feels to be a little hard to turn but hits an easy spot then get hard again. I don't see any leaks and fluid level is good. I don't have a lot of money so I thought about the power steering pressure switch and sensor but its not popping up a code. I then thought about rack and pinion but don't know how to trouble shoot it. Can the pressure switch be going out and no code or is there a way to test it? Or any help at this problem. This is the only vehicle we have. Thanks in advance.
Mar 3, 2020 at 1:52 PM
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KASEKENNY
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There are a couple things that come to mind. First it is unlikely that the switch is the issue. However, I attached the testing of it. The way that operates is it senses the need for assistance and the ECM then ups the idle speed just a bit to spin the pump faster and increase the pressure.

It sounds like either you have air in the system and when it pumps air rather than fluid it gets stiff. It could also be a loose belt as well and when the assist is needed the belt slips and that causes the stiff feeling you are getting.

Run through this info and let me know what you find and we can go from there. Thanks
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Mar 3, 2020 at 4:55 PM
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CLIF MORRIS
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What are the chances of the rack and pinion going out? The belt appears/feels tight.
Mar 6, 2020 at 12:30 AM
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KASEKENNY
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It could be. What we need to do is monitor the pressure from the pump to be sure. Unfortunately there is no easy way to do it other then shown in the attachment. If the pressure is not dropping out then we can safely go after the rack. However, most all intermittent steering assist like you are seeing are caused by the pump. The reason is, the pressure is what provides the assistance. When the pump looses pressure due to air or leaking internally, you lose assist.

Without testing this, we are going to be guessing and I would hate for you to put a rack on it without knowing this piece of info.
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Mar 6, 2020 at 5:19 PM