So...the power steering went out on my '03 MC (just like most MC's over 60,000 mi.). I let it be for a month or so, so I could save the money to buy a new pump. A pain in the *** sometimes, but do-able! Last week the power steering MIRACULOUSLY came back to life!!

Here's the catch...the pump seems to work mostly while moving and immediately after I stop. But when I'm stopped for a while, and i turn the wheel, it will kick off again. I can even hear the "whiring" of the pump when it's working! My boyfriend and I checked out the PS cooling fan, and it WILL NOT turn-on even while the car is on, and I'm turning the wheel. The fan also seems to be clear of clutter and debris....

Does anyone think that replacing the FAN ONLY will help?

 

No. It sounds like an intermittant electical problem. I'd check the connection on leads first. Then I'd look anywhere any part of the steering system makes contacts with wires or anything that moves and touches wires.