loss of steering assist

[fbm]

I usually onely drive locally but the last few times i have driven the car for more than 3 hours going store to store with the wife i completely loose steering on both directions. If i raised the idle i get some steering but very little if i shut the car off for a few min. And restart I get steering back some what i do have headers i was thining it was heating up the line but it happened on a cold day my fluid looks good and not boiling over and at the right level i also have Bonneville wheels and tires 235/55r17 i am thinking its the magnasteer system i am trying to get it on the lift this weekend and take a look have any of you come across this problem thanks
2001 pontiac grand prix gtp

 

[Scottydoggs]

the abs light or t/c lights on when you loose the magnasteer? if so those lights can cause that.

or the pump maybe taking a slow death.

 

[fbm]

Also i am getting no noise no pump whine or noise from the rack just loss of steering

 

[fbm]

No lights the original pump was leaking when i bought the car so i replaced it with a used unit i had lying around and replaced all the return hose and clamps plus flushed the fluid and added a little lucus. I have never seen a condition like this before without pump whine or a bad tie rod or BJ it wouldn't be a issue but it is so intermittent i was hoping someone else ran into this

 

[FordMan77]

I had a similar issue like this on my 03 CV. Turned out the pump was bad. And nothing made any noises or was leaking either just gave out one day. Raising the idle (2-footing it) would bring it back. It was fine until I tried to park or turn at idle then it was like driving with no power steering whatsoever. Usually when the rack goes in these cars they just stop turning. Maybe pull the ABS fuse. IIRC this should set the system to full assist by default.

 

[fbm]

Thanks ill try that when it comes back