STEERING WHEEL Hard Turn

I just checked and beside the coolant, it does say power steering fluid..

I opened the fuse box neer the engine and i did not see 80A..

Also, the car is automatic transmission..

Sadly the manual is missing, someone may have misplaced it.

I hope these info helps.

Hi @jayeff,

I think it's not the hybrid..

In the car registration it showed 2.4 EX

It Also have tachometer not sure if this clears anything..

Yes the power steering fluid is at a good level.. not too low and not too high..

@jebenz

Please verify the model year?

Best that I can find is that Optima models before 2011 have hydraulic power steering and models after 2011 (except the Hybrid) have EPS

I can't find anything regarding a gasoline engine only 2012 Optima model that has hydraulic power assisted steering.

The LX, EX, EX Turbo & SX models all have gasoline engines only and all have EPS (electric power steering)

The Hybrid model is the only one I found that has a gasoline engine and an electric motor and has electro hydraulic power steering i.e. electric motor driven hydraulic pump (not belt driven as in other makes of vehicles).

Check if there's an EPS warning light in the instrument panel in the dash. Models prior to 2011 didn't have one

What country are you in, maybe it's different for your location?

Hi @jayeff,

This car was indeed 2012, it was one of the only 25 units (i believe) that was shipped out here to Philippines.

I also agree that this might be EHPS?

Upon ignition, i did not see a warning light showing EPS but im not sure if there might be a problem that's why it wont light or i may be wrong..

I was looking at the power steering fluid reservoir, the thick hose is going to a pump mounted on the engine with a pulley driven by the serpentine belt.. if this helps..

Should i have it checked first the obd2 so we can better identify or something?

@jebenz

Since you've identified that there's a belt driven hydraulic pump I think that there won't be an EPS warning light in the instrument panel.

With the engine turned on, (gear in Park, handbrake on) check if the pulley on the hydraulic pump is turning driving the pump.

If the alternator belt or the hydraulic pump belt is not tensioned correctly (worn belt??) then the pump won't turn properly.

Be safety aware when you do this as there are moving parts. Keeps fingers, hair, clothing etc out of the way and simply observe.

If the pump pulley is not turning smoothly, switch off the engine first!! and then check if the alternator belt and hydraulic pump belts are tensioned OK.

If all appears OK check the hydraulic hose/hose connections for splits, leaks etc (although there's no fluid loss so it's probably OK)

If all appears to be OK it could be a pump problem or between the pump and the steering.

Here's a video that shows what a faulty pump could look like