Randomly when starting up my 2005 R53, the power steering isn't working. Seems more often in colder weather. Will work again on subsequent starts. No leaks, full reservoir. Has never failed while driving, just on occasional starts. I'm not original owner and see a recall was done years ago. Pretty expensive to have replaced, any thoughts?

 

how does it "fail"? can you expand on that a bit

sometimes mine will feel like it has the jitters. steering wheel will turn easy, hard, easy, hard...

how old is your fluid?

 

How long ago was the recall pump installed?

My power steering would do that - loss of power steering assist intermittently after cold start - with correct fluid level and all that. Since the recall was still active for my car and I had not had it done yet, I took it to the dealer and they installed a new pump. It has been fine ever since. This must have been 8 years ago or so though.

It sounds like your pump may be failing again. They are not too hard to replace yourself but I see the cost of a new pump at FCP Euro and I cringe.

 

The pump is dying. Just did mine - got a used one for $380? It had 175K - but would hang up on hot restarts - also as a symptom - the old one was hard to turn at idle for small people ( daughter 5’4 - 100 lbs ). Much happier now. It’s not a fun job. Pelican parts has a good write up. You need a new o-ring for high pressure line ( get 2, I broke the first one ).

 

Mine did the same thing, on and off, on and off .. then it failed completely and did not come back.