gt-titan Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 i just picked up a 2000 dodge caravan and the power steering has a problem..a little noise and the wheel is hard to turn until you bring up the rpm and then it gets easy. it has a leak that was there when i got the van. it is full of fluid...if anyone can help....thanks.. oh and it has the 3.3 motor if it matters... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbracing81 Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 Sounds like you need a new P/S pump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 Sounds like there might be some air in the system. Put front end on jack stands so the wheels are off the ground and turn wheels from lock to lock back and fourth a few times. Look to see if there are bubbles in the reservoir, if so, there is air present in the system. Continue turning wheels lock to lock back and fourth until there are no bubbles. This is after you fix the leak because it could be drawing air into the system from the leak point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossle Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 (edited) NEVERMIND, I'll just pass on these threads I suppose. Edited January 20, 2012 by Crossle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt-titan Posted January 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Sounds like there might be some air in the system. Put front end on jack stands so the wheels are off the ground and turn wheels from lock to lock back and fourth a few times. Look to see if there are bubbles in the reservoir, if so, there is air present in the system. Continue turning wheels lock to lock back and fourth until there are no bubbles. This is after you fix the leak because it could be drawing air into the system from the leak point. there is air in the system and it is the return line leaking.so i will be replacing the the line today and will follow your directions ....thanks.. for the help.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt-titan Posted January 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 There are about a bajillion TSB's to resolve this problem. Three of the main fixes are to use MOPAR ATF+4 for the fluid, the second is they re-designed the resovoir where you put the fluid in, the third is they added an extra loop down near the cooler on the sub frame. AND if you don't have a cooler that is another TSB to add one. Yeah, Chrysler pretty much re-designed the system on the fly AFTER it was released. Air is a possibility, but don't stress over that when half the system was re-designed due to this issue. Although your other issue states that you have difficulty turning the wheel unless the rpm's are up. I would have to re-read some of the TSB's to see if there is some direction there in them. In short the P/S on those is a pain in the butt unless you are looking at it and can tell what has/has not been changed. so after i drain the system and fix the line i should refill it with tranny fluid not power steering fliud??? ok will do...thanks...and i dont think the pump is bad now because after i refilled the system and let it sit over night it worked fine until the fuild got low and i had bubbles in the fluid...thanks for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt-titan Posted January 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 thanks for the help guys...fixing this weekend ill let you know...thanks again.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTPSS Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 I have a similar issue with my 03 TB. I was thinking pump also, so Id like to know if this does in fact fix your issue. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossle Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 so after i drain the system and fix the line i should refill it with tranny fluid not power steering fliud??? ok will do...thanks...and i dont think the pump is bad now because after i refilled the system and let it sit over night it worked fine until the fuild got low and i had bubbles in the fluid...thanks for the help. You do realize a plenty of cars use ATF for power steering fluid right? And I apologize for looking at the wrong part # in the TSB I was looking at for your piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt-titan Posted January 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 You do realize a plenty of cars use ATF for power steering fluid right? And I apologize for looking at the wrong part # in the TSB I was looking at for your piece. no man i didnt....lol... but i do know that my dump truck i drive at work takes motor oil in the power steering..i never seen that before....lol thanks again for your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt-titan Posted January 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 I have a similar issue with my 03 TB. I was thinking pump also, so Id like to know if this does in fact fix your issue. Good Luck! i will do...thanks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt-titan Posted January 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 ok i got this thing back together.new line new fluid tryed to bleed it.it was fine for most of my drive home.then right before i got home it started to get harder to turn on turns and has to give it gas to make it turn easier.. not sure why... maybe air in the system....anyone know why??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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