So traditional backyard mechanics experience has failed me here. Normally when the power steering goes out, I could tell something was wrong because there's noises, leaks, or broken belts....besides, you know, the fact that the power steering wasn't working. But this particular Jeep is an angsty high school teenager desperate to be different from the rest and has none of those signs. I apologize if this has been asked before, I just couldn't find any posts where there were no noises or leaks in their cases.

The pump was replaced about a year ago by PO (receipts to prove it). It had sat for almost a year when I got it (wiring gremlins, a bad starter, and a fried CPS), and hasn't had PS since I've owned it. Fluid is topped off, absolutely no leaks, and none of the usual power steering related groans, whines, or cries for help coming from the system. The belt was loose enough to squeal when the A/C was on but after a new belt, steering it under 10mph is still a good substitute for a gym membership. What should I look at here? Do PS pumps go bad without any symptoms or sounds like this sometimes? 96 Cherokee Sport, 4.0L 4WD automatic.

 

Mine did. Although revving the engine up above 2500 it would work again.