OK, some background.. It has been 20 degrees or below for at least three weeks here. The car sat untouched in this weather for at least a month. Yesterday, when I went out to take it out for a while and keep everything moving, I noticed a problem with the steering. When I first started it up, it was close to imposible to turn the wheel right. Turning it left was do-able, but would stick and then move very quickly, almost feeling if it was doing it on its own. Then as the car warmed up some, turning to the left and right became easier, but still dificult. This situation continued for about 20 minutes of driving, although the effects were very minor after a few minutes.

Today, I took her out again, and same thing, just not as pronounced to begin and it disapeared a bit sooner. Anyone care to wager a guess as to what the deal is? Thanks

BTW: its a MY02 with 16k miles

 

Hmm? I experience that to some degree, but not so persisting like yours.

All I can think of at the moment is to maybe check the power steering wheel fluid ?

 

Cold power steering fluid is my guess. Minus 20F is cold & fliud gets thick.

I don't think I'd sweat it. You said that it eventually warmed up & started working OK. Every vehicle I've even had gets stiff at -20F.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jankemi
Cold power steering fluid is my guess. Minus 20F is cold & fliud gets thick.

 

Whoops! Got to get me a Helm manual. Thanks for the correction.

Could the cold affect electronic steering? Stiff grease?

 

sounds like there isn't enough power getting to the electrical components. maybe a sign of an alternator thats on its way out.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by RazorV3
sounds like there isn't enough power getting to the electrical components.

 

OMG, tell me he just didn't say that!!


Maybe the electric motor is just too cold to operate properly.

 

everything on a car is kinda cold and notchy and feels like crap when its that cold out. it takes me about 10 minuts of driving to have everything on my civic feel "normal" including the EPS although its not that bad - but then again it didnt sit forever either. Its so cold right now the LCD screen on my radio doesnt want to change characters.

 

It sounds like you have a temperature-related electrical problem. That is, at lower temperature, when all parts shrink (including electrical connectors, brushes, windings, etc.), the servo is going screwy. That is why it comes back somewhat when the engine bay starts warming up.

Clearly, I think you have to get it to the dealer ASAP, and insist that they keep it overnight, and try driving it in the morning (at a time when it's really cold out). The reason I say go to the dealer is that at that mileage you may be running into the limits of lemon-law applicability if this becomes persistent and unfixable.