Lately I've noticed an issue with the power steering in my 1999 Civic LX when the car is cold. When I'm backing the car out of the driveway when I've just started the car, the power steering seems to work intermittantly. When I turn the wheel either direction, the power steering will quit working for a second or two, then it will work again. It's like it gets hard to turn the steering wheel and then it goes back to normal.

This only happens right after the car is started and cold, and it functions normally at all other times. If it matters, I've recently had all of the drive belts replaced as part of the timing belt/water pump service about 1500 miles ago.

Thanks in advance,
Colin

 

is the fluid low? you may have a leak. and if you do, and you drive it with low fluid, you are very likely to ruin your rack and pinion... which is costly.

 

Besides low fluid, having the belt loose will also do that. Though you would usually hear the belt squealing when it starts to slip.