1997 Volvo 960.

Recently the car has become very difficult to turn. It is fine when I accelerate into a turn. But most of the time I have to put a large amount of effort into turning the steering wheel.
I checked the power steering fluid, and there is some in there that I can see, (Although it
is hard to read the markings on the stick thing that measures it)

The only thing that has changed is weather. It gets into the low 20’s at night and the high is about 50 during the day. This car was only driven in Phoenix before this year.

Is it also possible a fuse or something that is electronic that helps with steering is broken

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

You are going to have to persevere in reading the dip stick, as it is not sufficient that "there is some in there".

There will be markings on the stick - hot, cold & add. Cold engine - level between Add & Cold. Hot engine - level between Add & Hot. If oil is down to Add then do it.

You may also be experiencing steering pump failure.

 

Are there bubbles in the fluid? Have you checked the belt for wear and or slipage? Does the fluid smell burnt? Leaks?

 

It could be either the pump of the steerting rack.

From what I have seen in the past I would look more into the steering rack then the pump.