'93 4Runner 4x4 and the power steering works fine
during normal driving down the road. However, when I take my
foot off the gas to turn, reverse out of or turn into a parking
space, etc., the power steering stops working and I have to use
all my might to turn the vehicle. If you give it a little gas, it
seems to work better. Therefore, the power steering
effectiveness appears to be correlated with how much on the gas
pedal I am. Any ideas what could be the cause of this and a
possible remedy? It's pretty annoying. Thanks.

 

Is there any fluid leaking out of your power steering? It sounds like it's low on fluid.

 

The power steering pump is belt driven and it's speed is directly proportional to engine speed. At idle (when you let up on the gas) the pump may not be producing enough pressure. The pump could have an internal leak in an o-ring or may be worn out. There is also an idle-up valve on the pump that increases the engine speed a little when the demand is high with the engine speed low. Could be stuck closed.

If it works well at higher rpm's but not in idle, I would suspect the pump.

 

loose belt?

 

has fluid belt is fine valve was off of a pump that was working, o well im using the warantee from nuying the pump gonna start over

 

Does the system have the generic "power steering fluid" from the auto parts store (which it should not) or "Dexron" fluid (which it should) in it?

 

yup dexron atfi believe it was the pump so im waiting to put the other one in

 

sounds like a bad pump.

 

Have you verified that the valve on top of the pump is passing vacuum to the idle up valve? Both the valve must work as well as the hoses and fittings must be car to pass vacuum to the idle up control. That is the system that bumps up the idle speed when you need steering boost. You can also turn up the knob atop the idle up valve to speed up that fast idle if needed.