BMW Z3 2001 3.0i Power steering is completely out. Belt seems tight. but still making slipping noise. Could pump be froze up?

Replace the belt and retension it properely as it appears the the belt is slipping hence no power steering pump assist and the alternator is not driving

have you put a different type of power steering fluid?

in some instance, if they put a different type of fluid, the solution bubbles up and makes a whining noise when you use the car.

tnx 4 using fixya,

drcool

either the belt is slipping, or the pump is going out, check the fluid level,, sometimes it feels like the steering is hard due to the idle settings on the vehicle being to low, which makes the pump turn slower which makes it seem as though the pump isn't working correctly,,

Hi the steering pump uses a belt to drive it, when this gets stretched it will slip, oil can also get on the belt causing it to slip, so check the belt, make sure it is tight and free from oil, also make sure the power pump reservoir has oil at the same time

Check the tension of the power steering belt.
It is probably loose and slipping - belts can stretch during their initial run in period.

Suggest it may be power steering fluid, has made it's way on the power steering belt, causing belt slippage, and perhaps glazing the power steering belt. Even if a new one was put on. If so, the belt may need to be changed, also the pulleys need to be cleaned. Make sure those pulleys aren't glazed, by the belt slipping over them.

It could also be that the belt isn't tight enough, and/or worn out.
Make sure the hoses, going from the power steering pump to the steering box, are not leaking, at the back of the pump housing.

hmm, sounds like to me maybe a belt isn't tight enough or you got some anitfreeze on belt and it's slipping. make sure belts are tight, then if that's not working, try spraying some carb cleaner on the belts as the car runs.

Your experiencing the same thing my 02 is experiencing- your crankshaft pulley is slipping on the crankshaft. It only does it under load, i.e. turning steering wheel(loads the power steering pump) running heater blower on high with headlights on (loading the alternator) or running the a/c with blower (loading the a/c compressor and alternator). Turning off all lights, blowers, ac, etc and allowing the car to idle should kill the slipping until loaded again. This problem is very serious and very expensive if your don't catch it early. It require repairs ranging from tightening the crank to pulley bolt, to replacing the pulley AND your crankshaft if it is allowed to continue. if you cannot get it serviced immediately then do your best to keep loads off of your belts by driving with the blower off, A/C off, and lights used only when necessary. Also try to avoid extreme tight turns which load your power steering pump. Your repair, if not done asap, will cost you upwards of around $3k since the motor must be removed and completely torn down to replace your crankshaft and pulley. I would seek a tech who will exhaust every other method- i.e. sleeving, welding, etc. to effect a repair. Just don't put it off because it will only get worse...

Is the belt on the power steering pump tight or loose does the pump makes a huming noise when turning steering all these are causes of hard to turn steering belt need to be (tight) on pump and pump must not be huming when turning steering add fluid if needed and play with steering to see if help if not need to replace pump

If it's not a serpetine belt, max deflection of 3/4" on longest segment should be safe,  don't make alternator belt tight as a drum or you will burn out alternator bearings quickly.  If it has serpentine belt, the spring tensioner should keep the belt properly tensioned unless it's worn out.
It only needs to be tight enough to not slip, too loose will squeal and you will have to tighten,  to tight will kill alternator and you will spend $$.