This is my first post on this forum, and it is extremely urgent.
Recently my battery died on my car so I had to replace it, in doing so I did however had to move my car by pushing it and turning the steering wheel. The new battery was installed and everything seemed to work fine. The next morning however when I started the car up I found that the power steering was no longer working. There seems to be no leak of any kind from the reservoir, it is completely full. I however have had leaks in the pass from the steering rack, but ATF fluid I filled it up with later seemed to sealed any leaks. I would not consider myself car savvy at all and since this is my only means of transportation it appears that my only solution would to be to send it to the shop, unless anybody could give me some kind of insight on the situation.

 

Check the fuses. That's always a first and easy fix!

 

is there a fuse for the power steering? which one would it be??
I must be confused............ or I am overlooking something, but it is 630 in the morning..

 

Was wondering that same thing. Would it be in the fuse console?

 

Nothing in the fuse block effects this. Assuming that your PS pump is turning when the engine is running, I suspect you may have created an air pocket in the return side, while operating the rack manually with no engine power. Shouldn't happen, but may have. I suggest jacking both front wheels off the ground, starting the engine, and manually turning the steering wheel rather slowly lock-to-lock a few times. That should purge any air from the system. I would then check the low pressure hose from your reservoir, it may be cracked/loose, letting air into the system in some circumstances. Good luck

Steve

 

Of if you cannot get the car off the ground easily put some old glossy magazines in front of the front wheels and drive onto them, this will make it easier to turn lock to lock and not put extra strain on the steering.

 

Ok I don't know if this is related or not but as I was looking underneath my car I saw this.

It appear to be some kind of belt that has broken off.

 

I pray this is not the timing belt because I just had it replaced over a year ago

 

looks like the v-belt for the alternator/wp/ac compresor/ps pump.

~$20 fix and 15mins to install.

that is, provided it's just an old belt and something didnt seize up...

http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/maint...drivebelt.html

 

With that belt gone, yup, none of the accessories will work. Just as a preliminary, bend the belt and check for small cracks. If none, that means there is a higher probability one of the pulleys seizing causing the belt to snap. You'll have to try and manually turn some of them to verify. Otherwise, the moment you put the fresh belt on, you'll snap it.