I have an 03 dakota with the 3.9 L, automatic trans., power steering. The steering wheel will not turn but only 2 inches both directions. Making it impossible to steer at all. The power steering fluid is full, the belt is in place and seems that the pump is fine. Is there something in the column that would be locking it making it unable to turn?? Any other ideas would be appreciated. When I turn the wheel as far as I am able to, there is no wierd sounds or anything out of the normal. It seems to just come to a dead stop.
This happened once before. But after shutting off the truck and restarting it, I was able to turn it once again. But that was awhile ago.

 

I just moved you over to the G2 section, alot of knowledge over here.

 

From what you are describing sounds like the ignition cylinder housing is jammed. Which is why when you shut it off and restarted it must have unjammed it. Might try wiggling the key around a bit in all the positions on/off/acc while turning the wheel and see if it will unjam.

 

i concur