WHen Im stopped or moving slowly my rpm's will drop when I turn the wheel. Almost as if the power steering is putting a drag on the motor. Could this be the power steering pump going?

 

That's pretty normal. When you're at idle and turn the wheel, your engine is running at such a low RPM that the PS pump suddenly requiring all that energy momentarily makes your engine speed drop. However, it should only be momentary and shouldn't be a DRASTIC drop

 

It'll work harder if your fluids low too, so give that a look.

 

Its not a DRASTIC drop...it doesnt stall the car out or anything...just enough to make the motor shake a little...Ill check the fluid also...thanks guys

 

you're probably off this concern and driving happily in your max... but this most likely happens to most cars out there new or old. Basically, with power steering, that power has to come from somewhere, and since you're at a stop/slow speed, there's not enough power being generated, so the ECU makes up for the load drop - that's the sudden drop and then the ECU makes up for it to bring it back up to better sustaining RPM's to prevent a stall.

Nonetheless... what's your outcome? was it fluid? or are you at peace that it's just a momentary power-draw on your engine?

 

yup, i get the same thing

 

Try pushing on all your window switches at the master switch, with the headlights on at night. See what happens

 

To put this simply. Your accessories (power steering, alternator, compressor, etc) take horse power to work. At idle you aren't making much of that. So the engine strains a bit.

 

I have definitely noticed my accessories putting strain on the system so I guess it makes complete sense that my power steering would do the same