I have an interesting problem with my wife's minivan.
2006 Dodge Grand Caravan....power steering pump whines when air temp is below 55 degrees...whines even after engine reaches operating temp...when outside air temp is above 55, no whine. Anybody got any ideas? I hate to replace the pump and it turns out to be just the nature of Dodge pumps. Thanks!!

If it's still in warranty I would get it to a dealer to save you some money down the road. If not hopefully somebody here can tell you what's going on. Good luck with it.

That's something new! Does the serpentine belt looks cracked or frayed?

I've got a 2007 that does the same thing, but it's a company lease vehicle so I'm going to live with it until it breaks. I've got 43,000 miles on this one. I've had at least 10 Dodge mini vans over the last 20 years and I would say that 2 or 3 did this. Replaced a power steering pump once under warranty.

Is the oil Black or burnt looking? You might need to flush and bleed the system...



NOTE : This bulletin does NOT apply to DR SRT10 vehicles.



PARTS REQUIRED:



SPECIAL TOOLS/EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

POWER STEERING SYSTEM BLEEDING PROCEDURE:
WARNING :The fluid level should be checked with engine off to prevent injury from moving components.

CAUTION :**MOPAR(R) Power Steering Fluid +4 or ATF+4 (MS-9602) is to be used in the power steering system of CS, DR, DH, DI, HB, JR, KJ, LX, LE, ND, PL, PT, RG, and RS vehicles. Mopar Hydraulic Power Steering Fluid (MS 10838) is to be used in the power steering system of WK, WH, XH, and XK vehicles. No other power steering or automatic transmission fluid is to be used in these systems. Damage may result to the power steering pump and system if the incorrect fluid is used. Do not overfill the power steering reservoir. **

CAUTION :If the air is not purged from the power steering system correctly, pump failure could result.

NOTE :If the power steering reservoir cap does not have a dipstick, there will be a sight window on the side of the reservoir for checking fluid level.

NOTE :Be sure the vacuum tool used in the following procedure is clean and free of any fluids.

1. Wipe the filler cap clean with a clean rag and fill the power steering reservoir to the proper level. The dipstick should indicate COLD when the fluid is at normal ambient temperature.


2. Tightly insert Miller Special Tool, 9688 - P/S Cap Adapter, onto the pump reservoir (Fig. 1).

CAUTION :Failure to properly connect the vacuum pump reservoir may allow power steering fluid to be sucked into the vacuum pump.

CAUTION :Do not run the engine while vacuum is applied to the power steering system.

NOTE :When performing Step #3, make sure the minimum vacuum level is maintained during the entire time period.

3. Using a hand vacuum pump, Miller Special Tool C-4207-A, with the vacuum reservoir attached, apply 68-85 kPa (20-25 in. Hg) of vacuum to the power steering system for a minimum of3 minutes.

4. Slowly release the vacuum, remove the special tools and add fluid to the proper level if necessary.

5. Repeat Step #1 through Step #4 until the fluid level no longer drops.

6. Start the engine and cycle the steering wheel from lock to lock three times.

NOTE :Do not hold the steering wheel on stops.

7. Stop the engine and check for leaks at all connections. Check for any signs of air in the reservoir and check reservoir level. If air is present repeat the procedure if necessary.

POLICY:
Information Only.

Disclaimer :This bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair.

Fluid looks good. Haven't had a chance to check the belt yet. Thanks for the advice so far!!

we have been seeing a bunch of our fleet vans doing this we have fixed the problem with a new belt tensioner and serp belt.It is the bearing in the tensioner that we think is the culprit.Once it gets warm it quits.

That's the weird thing about this Stan, engine temp has no bearing on the noise going away. As long as outside air temp is below 55 or so, it whines, regardless of enging operating temp, even how long the engine has been running. It whined on us on a road trip back in November from Roswell, NM all the way to Farmington, NM.

I'll definitely check condition of belt and tensioner. Probably go ahead and replace, cheaper than a PS pump.

I have noticed that most of the whinning noises are due to old and worned Serp belts. The backside of the belt(smooth side) tend to slip or slide on the pulley which makes those whinning noise. Make sure your belt is aligned with all your pulleys, a worn tensioner will wear you belt down fast.

Hey Wes, I am a parts manager @ a Dodge dealership in Kentucky and from past experience I can tell you that most likely the whine noise you are hearing in your minivan is from fluid contamination caused by a restriction in the built-in mesh screen within the power steering reservoir. I'm not sure why yours appears to be worse in colder temperatures unless yours is not quite as restricted yet as some we have seen in our shop. It could be with the early stages of the restriction build-up that the fluid being colder, with a thicker viscosity, the flow through the system is reduced just enough to cause the whine. The best fix short of a new pump is to just replace the reservoir with the built-in screen & flush the system completely with a couple quarts of Mopar ATF+4 transmission fluid (factory fill on most all Chrysler products since 2000). The price of the reservoir is in the $23.75 range plus the cost of the ATF+4 fluid...the labor charge to do this repair shouldn't be too bad/of course dependent on the labor rate in your area. You may even be able to do this yourself and save some $$ if you are fairly handy with a few tools. The Mopar part no. is #4743012AA for the reservoir, your local Chrysler dealer probably has it in stock. Good Luck, longgreen

Well, I checked everything out except changing out the fluid reservoir. Mechanic just called and let me know the P/S pump is shot. $435 to replace if he does it. Anybody ever done one of these? What surprises can I expect? Do I need to replace the hoses too? I've done pumps on Ford and Chevy trucks, but this is a new one. Thanks!!

year, make, model??? i will look up the labor times.

2006 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT

what engine? 3.3 or 3.8 Liter

actually both times(engines) is 2.2 Hours

figure 1.0 for diagnosis.

parts ?? call autozone. you need waterpump(gasket should come with), and 1 gallon of antifreeze. ( i figure ~$60)

330 for labor, and 70 for parts... $400...

I need to change the waterpump too? How does that come into play with a bad power steering pump?

oops.. my bad... sorry.. i have a lot going on.. LOL!!

2.5 hours on the pow steering pump(with AC add .4)

Do I have to bleed the system with a vac. pump like the procedure fool4fishing posted? where do i get the tools?

It's a moot point now. There was no visible leak, so I asked the mechanic to see if he could trace where the fluid was going. Turns out my rack and pinion is hosed to. Definitely not something I want to tackle. Thanks for all the advice guys!!!

I'd do it for $250.00

F4F, that wasn't my mechanic telling me that, it was Skeeter Ronnie...he got a little confused about what was going on :-)

I do trust my mechanic...he lives a few doors down from me, we had him check out a '96 Buick we used to have...he stopped by my house that afternoon and told me we needed to get rid of that car fast..was going to need major repairs...doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who's willing to screw people to make a buck...
and in this town, you don't stay in business very long if you're dishonest...
That being said...what would you charge to do the rack and pinion too? I'm not sure $250 would cover your travel expenses to Midland! LOL
Thanks again for the input...You guys on this board are just awesome!!

i was thinking too fast, and wasnt paying attention.. LOL!! working at the same time....

I do one thing, I do it well, then move on to the next thing...then I wake up and have to go to work...