my steering wheel feels like there isn't any or much power assistance. I can turn it with one hand when not moving, but it takes a bit of effort. I don't remember it ever being really loose, but lately it definitely feels a lot heavier than it should. i know "heavy" and "loose" are subjective, what is the best way to measure? Fish scale?

Anyone know where to start to diagnose what the problem is?

 

Start with power steering fluid. Check for leaks. Any whining from the pump when Turning?

 

You're assuming the OP has any idea where to look. Clue: look under the plastic cover on the driver's side of the engine bay. The power steering reservoir is next to the brake master cylinder and has minimum and maximum levels marked on it.

 

Are you sure? On my car it's right beside the left intake tube, at the front of the car on the passenger side.

 

Nope. Those are the brake fluid and clutch fluid reservoirs in there. They have clear fluid in them (brake fluid). As Thirty_Seven correctly stated, the PS fluid reservoir is on the passenger side. It is not clear plastic, it's greenish metal with a black cap.

 

on a related note, is a whine from under the hood when turning at low speeds bad? my car with under 30k miles has this pretty severely but only when pulling into my parking space. it's a slight incline and I'm in 1st gear obviously. literally doesn't happen anywhere else. . . .

 

Mine does this too, but started around 40k. I think I am going to get my PS fluid flushed.

 

Thanks all.

The PS reservoir is near the passenger side intake. I did check fluids in the reservoir and it was a tad on the low side but within low and high range with no noticeable leak from the hoses. I was on the original PS fluid with a little over 60k miles. I just recently did a quick flush last week by siphoning from reservoir with turkey baster and refilled. I'm not hearing any whining when turning.

With the engine off and the car on ACC only (2 presses), are you supposed to be able to turn the wheel? I think the last time I tried when I did the flush, it wasn't moving.

 

Wheel should only turn when the car is on

 

You should be able to turn the steering wheel with the car off, but it will take more effort. The steering wheel is mechanically connected to the steering rack.

 

I can turn it, but i have to turn so hard it feels like I'm going to break something.

what are signs of a ps pump issue? I do see fluid moving around the reservoir so I'm guessing the pump is moving the fluid.

 

Is the steering wheel a little easier to turn with the engine running vs when it is off? I am trying to figure out if you are getting any hydraulic assist.

Is the power steering fluid level between the the min & max lines?
Is there any signs of a leak?

If the fluid level is OK and no signs of a leak, you will need to the dealer or independent shop.

 

Also, if you have a 2012, the whine pulling into the parking spot may be the resivoir itself. There is a TSB out for that, specifically slow left turns make the whine I believe

 

with the engine running, I can turn the wheel ok. its definitely much easier than with the engine off but not light

Fluid is within min and max. No whining sounds.

 

^^^ This tells us that there is some hydraulic assist and the pump is working.

Our cars have a "Power steering control module" that control a valve on the steering rack. This is what gives us the "variable steering assist", where parking lot speeds are easy to turn the wheel, but at 60+ MPH the assist is reduced.

Maybe the valve is stuck, or the module has failed.
If it bothers you a lot, you will need to take it to the dealer and have them look at it.

Good Luck!