HELP! I own an automatic 2004 Saturn Ion 3 with about 76,000 miles which has begun to have power steering problems! While driving I get a PWR STR on my dash then I simply loose my power steering. I must attempt to steer until I can safely pullover. Then I must restart my car and the power steering restores until the next time that this happens.

A phone call to the dealer resulted with replacing the entire Power Steering Colum. Google research says that only the steering wheel motion sensor motor needs to be replaced.

Has anyone does this repair before?

 

oh and btw since my car is a 2004, it happens to have eletronic/motorized power steering and not the regular type of rack and pinion configuration, in case anyone was wondering....just trying to clear all this up so I can hopefully find someone out there who has had the same issue and solved it in a timely and cost effective manner!!!

Thanks guys!!!!

 

Have to have it checked to be sure, but it sounds like the power steering motor has gone bad.

 

Yep, that is also a problem. No Saturn dealers near by! My garage couldn't get a diagnostic code-they suggested getting into the dealer when it has lost power steering! Does anyone think that a Chevy dealer/service dept. could accurately give this diagnose?

 

Also, is it true that the entire Power Steering Colum will have to be replaced? Why can't this sensor motor simply be replaced? Doesn't this seem like a huge waste & huge costly repair since the whole colum runs about $600.00?!

 

That will be determined when you bring the car in.