2004 ion 2 quad coupe,the electric power steering goes out.

have vehicle scanned for trouble code --you have an electric assist motor mounted to steering column behind dash that is your power steering pump sort to say this is a recall notice you can call and check if your vehicle was done or is a listed vehicle https://auto-recalls.justia.com/saturn/ion/2004/14v153000/index.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14By80EyQT0

The tie rod boot might have liquified grease in it.
(If your engine is leaking oil underneath, motor oil might be in that boot.)
Grease is made of oil & soap, and these two can and do separate over time, and with heat.
I looked up your car, and it has no hydraulic fluid connected with the steering.
The rack & pinion is electric, and the only wear will be sloppy joints due to its being worn out, or electric motor failure.
I applaud your attention to good car maintenance..

• You have an electronic power steering system.

• Your power steering module, steering assist motor and the steering sensor could all be problems. You will have to have a scan performed to see what the exact problem is. There is no other way.

• The power steering aides you in turning the wheel. When the light comes on there is a malfunction and this is why it is hard to turn the wheel, because the steering assistance of the power steering is gone at that time. Turning the car off just temporarily resets the PCM.

• If you have any comments please feel free to leave them here.
• Hope this helps and thank you for using FixYa.

Regards,Tony

These vehicles have electric power steering. There is an electric motor under the steering column that provides the power steering assist. GM also had a special policy coverage on this motor as it has been notorious for causing the problems you are describing. Read on:

Some customers of 2004-2007 model year Saturn ION vehicles, equipped with electric power steering, may experience a sudden loss of power steering assist, which could occur at any time while driving the vehicle. If the power steering assist is lost, a chime will be heard and the Message Center will display a "PWR STR" warning message. The vehicle can still be steered in a safe manner but will require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds or when stopped. Typically, the next time the vehicle is started, the power steering assist will return and the "PWR STR" message would no longer be displayed..................
This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership.
Retailers are to replace the power steering motor. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.

Low Fluid or a bad sensor in the Power steering pump.

there are no fuses for a power steering system........

its what your front bumper bolts to

there is no power steering fluid,,,,,none,,,its a electric motor thats on the column inside the car under the dash,,,the motor goes bad and overheats and shuts off,you need a new motor for the electric power steering,,,,,no ionhas power steering fluid,,,,the leak you have under the hood is something else,,,maybe on the right side of the engine there is a cam block off plate,that seal leaks alot,,,,

the reason you can't find the power steering pump is because the steering system is electric and won't have a pump or fluid,you need to go to the dealer for repairs

not necessary