I just bought a 97 Accord LX 3 weeks ago. Yesterday I noticed that at a dead stop, power steering seemed to be struggling. I could turn the steering wheel but it seemed to be pulsing a bit. As soon as the vehicle rolled forward the slightest bit, power steering came back. I pulled into Autozone to grab some fluid just in case. They told me Honda takes a special kind of fluid. Fine, I bought two bottles. Opened the hood, pulled the cap on the reservoir, and it looked to be at level. Could my pump be failing? Hoses clogged?

Any ideas?

Thanks,
-nobleach

 

The fluid should be red. If it's a dark red our kinda brown blackish color it needs to be drained flushed and re filled.


Posted from Honda-tech.com App for Android

 

Like transmission fluid red?

It looked pretty murky and dark.

Thanks,
-nobleach

 

Yeah like transmission fluid. Automatic transmission fluid. It's murky and dark. Time to flush and clean the system.


Posted from Honda-tech.com App for Android

 

Will do. Do you think this could actually be the culprit for why the steering seems very stiff at a standstill?

 

Very possible. Thicker fluid makes it harder for the pump to push at idle


Posted from Honda-tech.com App for Android

 

Great. Thanks so much!

-nobleach