Can a car start with power steering failure?
2 Answers
A car can start with power steering failure. Below are common faults and causes of the car steering system: 1. Abnormal noise during steering: Abnormal noise during steering is usually caused by mechanical parts, such as damage to the kingpin and bushing, or failure of the column thrust bearing. During inspection, you can turn the steering wheel left and right to observe the source of the noise for disassembly and inspection. 2. Steering gear oil leakage: Oil leakage from the steering gear generally occurs at a few locations: the upper cover of the steering gear, the side end cover, and the connection between the steering shaft and the arm. These three parts have sealing rings, and replacing the oil seal and sealing ring can solve the problem. If oil leaks from other parts, it is likely due to sand holes or cracks in the steering gear housing. Small cracks and sand holes can be sealed with Loctite 290 high-penetration sealant. 3. Difficulty in steering wheel return: Most vehicles have an automatic steering return function. For hydraulically assisted cars, the automatic return function is somewhat weakened due to hydraulic damping, but it should still maintain a certain level of automatic return capability. If you need to apply the same force during return as during steering, it indicates a fault in the return function, which usually occurs in the mechanical part of the steering system.
As an ordinary car owner who drives frequently, let me explain this. When a car's power steering fails, you can usually still start the engine—the ignition system is separate from the steering system. Starting the engine relies on the battery, starter, ignition switch, etc., and doesn't depend on power steering at all. Unless there's an extremely complex short circuit in the entire vehicle's electrical system—like the electronic power steering module burning out and causing a complete circuit failure—but the chances of that are very slim. The real issue arises after starting: the steering becomes extremely heavy, making it hard to turn the wheel, and driving becomes prone to loss of control. So don’t take it lightly—even if the car starts, you should pull over to a safe spot immediately and find a repair shop to avoid accidents. During regular maintenance, pay extra attention to checking the power steering fluid or electronic power steering system to reduce such failures. In short, while it doesn’t affect starting the engine, it severely impacts driving safety—so it must be handled properly.
