No power steering when engine is on.

Maybe it doesn't have a place to put power steering fluid ! Could be it has Electronic Power Steering (electric )
Power Steering Motor
The power steering motor is a 12-volt brushless DC reversible motor with a 65-amp rating. The motor assists steering through a worm gear and reduction gear located in the steering column housing.

Could it be coming from the dash??? That car might be old enough to have a speedo cable. Another thought, I know some Caddys that had an automatic park brake release. You had to put it in gear for the Park brake to release. Hope that helps.

Go to an auto parts store or mechanic and read the code. The check engine light is telling you there is an issue.

Check the gear box oil level sounds low to me i had a similar problem with a auto box car before and as for your steering it could be a worn steering rack if the oil level is good

Power steering fluid is low. If that is ok then you have a bad water pump or power steering pump.

It sounds like you have a weak/bad alternator. Have it checked/tested at a local auto parts store along with your battery.

look on the ****** there is a little arm switch that you can click all the way down to put the vehicle in park. you may need a new shifter cable and/or the clips to hold it in place. also look in the steering column to ensure the cable is still in place Car category to stay in line with the rules here. The Escape and tribute are the same car. Since you do not plan to fix this yourself then I will tell you how to work around this so you can get it to the dealer.This can be dangerous so be careful and use a helper. Set the parking brake firm and remove the steering column shroud components per below instructions. Once you get the shiter cable disconnected from the steering column. Then you can manually shift the transaxle. You pull and push the cable to work through the gears. You will feel it click in every gear. Park will show the most resistance since it is spring loaded. Once you get it in park. Start the car and make sure the steering will turn and not lock up. If it steers fine and starts then have a helper also hold the brakes while running and pull the shifter cable one click to reverse and one click to neutral and then one more to drive. You can now drive it to the dealer for repair. The concern is going to lie in the shifter handle below the steering wheel requiring tools and isassmbly knowledge to repair. But the dealer can fix this for you.If you want the safiest method then that would be a tow truck, but you did not ask of this thus me including an alternate method.

could be your transmission mount is broken, when you put your engine in reverse.. with out giving it gas does the power steering work? More than likely when you are giving it gas you are apply torque to the engine and it is moving so much that you are twisting the drive axles and putting pressure on your front suspension. open the Hood and set you remergency brake and have someone put the car in reverse,,, if the engine moves significantly then that is your problem.. you will need to replace all three mounts for the engine and transmission.

Sounds like the pressure plate! Try this, rev the engine for a sec then when it starts to slows down try to put it in reverse - if the gears grind, its the pressure plate which will come with the clutch kit for about 125-175.00.

:0)

*rack and pinion is steering not trans! Separate issue??

id look at the gear box first and then the transmission