92' Honda Accord power steering not working...what's the most likely cause?

Question

Fluid is fine, belt is tight. No noise when turning wheel lock-to-lock...but the power steering is not working. What's the most likely cause? How can I diagnose if it's the pump, rack or whatever?

Answer 1

The real way to test the power steering pump is with a power steering pressure gauge. I trust you don't have one. So, the easist way is to see if its working at all is to drain the power steering reservoir then take the return hose off of the power steering reservoir and put it into a 2 liter soda bottle that has been cleaned out. Then, hold the hose in the bottle and hold onto the bottle and have someone start the engine. If the pump is working you should get a fluid coming out of the return hose; then, have them turn the wheel and see if the fluid flow rate changes.

the return hose is a low pressure hose so it will only tell you if the pump is pumping. It won't tell you pressure. If you don't have fluid coming out, or very little you have a weak pump or a restriction in the system. there is probably a pressure regulator on the pump that could be stuck. In all probability you'll find the pump is the cause.

The rack is the recipient of the pressure that is generated by the pump and has nothing to do with the amount of assist; it is simply responding to the pressure from the pump when the wheel is turned. There are valves that direct the fluid in the rack but if the steering effort is even lock-to-lock the problem is not in the rack. There could be a restriction in the line from the pump to the rack and that would show up when you test for fluid flow.
don't run the engine too long when testing for fluid flow. You can re-use the fluid that comes out provided the bottle you're using to capture the fluid is clean. My guess is you're going to need to replace the pump.
hope that helps

Answer 2

Accord Power Steering Pump

Answer 3

sounds like the pump to me if you say everything else is fine