Q. I have a 1995 Buick Roadmaster that is giving me intermittent problems. It has been leaking a small amount of power steering fluid for about a year.

Starting this year, I find I periodically lose my power steering for a second or two. I brought the car to my mechanic, and he replaced the serpentine belt and put in a new seal.

The power steering loss continued, and at one point it lasted several seconds in a parking lot. It took all my strength to turn the wheel. I brought it back to the mechanic, and he replaced the power steering pump and the belt tensioner, but the problem is still there. I noticed that it occurs during rain or very damp weather, but not most of the time. I spoke with the dealer, and he had no idea as to what causes the problem. He said that he would have to have the car in the garage when it is happening. It would be almost impossible to get the problem to reoccur when I want it to. Other than this, this car is in great condition, and with the amount of driving that I do it should outlast me!

A. There are two possible causes to consider. This model uses a power steering module that controls pressure. This module is inside the car on the left side of the instrument panel. There may be a pressure switch at the rear over the power steering pump: try unplugging it to allow the pump to run at full pressure. The other somewhat odd possibility is that the water pump could be leaking occasionally and contaminating the power steering belt, causing it to slip.

Poor dash lighting

Q. I bought a brand new 2006 Buick Lucerne in February of 2006. From the beginning, I have had a problem with poor lighting in the instrument cluster panel. My dealer says that Buick has not solved the problem even in the 2008 models. Can you help me?

General Motors has issued a bulletin that describes this problem of reduced visibility of the shift indicator for approximately one minute. This condition typically happens after backing out of a dark garage into daylight. This is because the headlamp control module is on in the night-time mode. General Motors considers this to be a normal condition and contends that no repair is necessary. But my suggestion to you and other General Motors owners who are bothered by this problem is to contact the vehicle manufacturer. If General Motors gets enough complaints perhaps they will be motivated to remedy the concern.