2001 Dodge Caravan Whines @ Start-up Only

[maximumvalues]

2003 Caravan. had my garage look at it . didn't fix it but fixed a bunch of other things i never asked for to the tune of $1200. found this video and the video on how to replace the reservoir. im going to get the part and just do it my damn self. screw these garages. this should be a problem they sell all the time. they just play dumb? and take your money? who the bleep knows. mine does it at start up and sometimes during slow speed turns.

[MobileMediaProducts]

@maximumvalues I had the exact same experience. They wanted to replace the air conditioner motor, for $1900. My guess is, when you go around corners, the fluid in the reservoir goes to the side because it can't go down the hole into the pump. Let me know if the replacement works for you. What video did you refer to (besides mine)? Can you send me a link? Thanks

[42fontenator]

Thank you sir, for saving me a shoebox full of money! New reservoir on my '02 GC with 130k miles and no more hard steering!

[MobileMediaProducts]

@42fontenator excellent! although we didn't have any problems with hard steering overall. The reservoir would cause that super-whine at the beginning, and the wheels would be difficult to turn, until the fluid was in the system, then it was ok. It is an easy fix. Much better than spending 3 grand for things you don't need! You're welcome, and thank you for saying thank you!

[ThebigHurtt]

its air in the power steering ,due to a bad drian and refill ..air pockets

[MobileMediaProducts]

@ThebigHurtt I wish that were true, but it was a dirty filter starving the pump instead. Replacing the filter solved the problem. I know what you mean, though, and I can see how air would create the same kind of experience. Replacing the dirty filter did work, immediately. Thanks for commenting.

[ThebigHurtt]

@MobileMediaProducts ahhh ok ,cool ! take care !

[duranate]

ok, one last thing, lol. the momentary loss of power assist may be taken care of with this repair but there is a service bulletin regarding the momentary loss of assist. I believe it blames a hose for the problem.

[MobileMediaProducts]

@duranate Hey, man, thanks for all your good comments and going to bat for me. I appreciate that. A hose, huh. Doesn't really make sense to me because replacing the filter did solve the problem. Oh,well . . . life certainly goes on!

[duranate]

btw, i just removed and cleaned mine today and it was nasty dirty and had chunks on the screen. the screen is very fine and becomes restricted very easy. it took me a while to get all the air out afterwords but now it works very well and quiet. anybody with this noise should just get a reservoir from ebay or whatever and install it themselves and save tons of headaches! all you need is a turkey baster, 8 mil, 10 mil and pliers, couple quarts of fluid and a half hour of time.

[duranate]

omg. why is there 40 dislikes? dude seems more than reasonable to me. not only that but he is exactly right about the screen in the reservoir, that's the problem all along. i used to be a mechanic so i can see both sides but you expect a higher level of service from a dealership, ya just do, cripes they specialize in those vehicles! granted this was not common knowledge back in 2009 but to a dealer wrench, the noise is abviously coming from the steering pump. what a frustrating experiance.

[whydontyoupick]

Could be the idler pulley

[MobileMediaProducts]

@whydontyoupick Nope, the pulley was fine.  It absolutely was the reservoir. We replaced it, and like magic, the problem was fixed.

[mrdarrell95]

I don't take my vehicles to dealerships anymore because of simular experience. next time I recomend a local mechanic.

[MobileMediaProducts]

@whydontyoupick Nope, it was the reservoir. Like I said.

[sporktek]

I've got an 02 GC that I purchased used almost 2 years ago. The original owner told me about the whining PS pump and said that a local mechanic had quoted her about $300 to replace the pump, parts and labor. I have the exact same symptoms that you have, and more recently I've noticed the momentary loss of PS function, happens maybe every 10th start or so, and only for a few seconds on initial startup. I think I'll try cleaning the PS reservoir. Great video!

[MobileMediaProducts]

@sporktek I put a new PS pump in that car BEFORE I made the video thinking that must be the problem. That car had ALL of the problems you mentioned in your comment. I wouldn't bother with cleaning the reservoir. They're cheap! If you're handy, buy one and install it. Dealing with air in the lines is an issue, though, so make sure you know how to deal with that. The screen at the bottom of the reservoir gets plugged with impurities from the fluid going through the rest of the system.

[RandomMadness01]

Is that a 3.3 or 3.8l cause we have one that does that and it sounds like its gonna blow up lol

[MobileMediaProducts]

@RandomMadness01 It's a 3.3 litre. Replacing the reservoir fixed the problem.

[MobileMediaProducts]

Yes, it was the filter in the resovoir!

[RandomMadness01]

Was it the power steering resovior filter needing to be replaced cause now its getting worse and engine light just came on thanks

[MobileMediaProducts]

@RandomMadness01 Yes, replacing the reservoir solved the problem.

[RandomMadness01]

thank you

[MobileMediaProducts]

@RandomMadness01 You're totally welcome!

[Begbucks]

Gee 2 grand? never pay more than $500 for a truck!

[yooperd]

You might've got a bad pump from the factory, it happens. I sold parts for years and seen it happen many times. Exchange some of the p/s fluid with a bottle of Lucas power steering fix, just to rule that out. It's worked great for me many times, cheap fix. Hope it works for ya-

[MobileMediaProducts]

The problem was in the reservoir. They replaced it (for free), and that solved the problem! Thanks for commenting!

[dereileak]

@MobileMediaProducts was it the filter in the reservoir?

[dodgechryslersucks]

Also, thought you made a GREAT consumer video. You did a great job sharing your issues from a consumer point of view. I don't know why you only got 1.5 stars, I gave you 5 starts. I guess everyone expects everyone to be an auto mechanic and just know how to fix it.

In the future, those services are a scam. I would avoid them. Just a whole lot of "check this check that BS", with some fluid changes and inspection you could get done for half the price, all dealers do that though.

[MobileMediaProducts]

Just to provide an update. Once they saw the video, they were ANXIOUS to find and fix the problem for FREE.  And the problem was: REPLACE THE POWER STEERING FLUID CONTAINER!!!!! They provided a rental car for 3 more days, and all is well, basically. Everything turned out fine ONCE THEY DECIDED TO LISTEN TO ME! Don't ya love it! Marius

[dodgechryslersucks]

Amazing, the dealer actually finally took it personal. When I had my Chrysler issues even under warranty, I could have posted videos for the dealer and Chrysler until I turned blue in the face, they still didn't give a damn but I'm very happy to hear your dealer finally stepped up!

[dodgechryslersucks]

Wow, that dealer really sucks. Owner has probably cut corners and hired some cheaply paid dummies to save money.

also, what a poor design, most manufacturers use a "high powered magnet" that is clipped in that can be cleaned and removed.

Dodge dealerships? You want to hear about Dodge dealerships, hahaha, I can tell you some stories, I hear them all the time. The only thing most are good at is declining valid warranty claims and violating federal warranty law when possible. Good Luck!

[dodgechryslersucks]

That sucks, Power Steering Pump sounds like it is is being strained due to low or worn fluid, possibly even failing rack and/or debris.

A/C Compressor DOES NOT make that kind of noise, VERY POOR diagnosis by the dealer for that issue.

What I don't understand is that this is a fairly common issue (PS Pump Whine due to PS Pump and or rack failure) and how could they not know?

[modmoderator]

We should let these greedy, pathetic companies fail, and stop pouring tax payer's money in these black holes. Dodge will never admit that this noise is because of one of its faulty engine parts, if they do then they have to issue a recall. The problem is because of starter solenoid bushes, in cold weather they dont disengage until engine warms up a bit. The solenoid can be serviced / replaced by yourself or by independent auto shop and it wont cost you a fortune

[mobiltec]

Gremlins...

[mobiltec]

You must become your own mechanic and your own doctor now. Everyone is stupid. No one in either industry has a clue anymore. I have become my own mechanic and do all my own work now. Unfortunately I have also had to become my own doctor for the same reasons. I do all the diagnosis from the internet and then I just tell him what is wrong with me and what drugs to prescribe or what operation to schedule. Otherwise I would have died a while back.

[MobileMediaProducts]

I wonder where my previous marker went? Dealership called. I have an appointment next Saturday at 9. They're going to have a reservoir available if that's the problem.  I directed them to the Edmund link, and mentioned that the temp is higher than before the coolant replacement during service. They wondered about the alternator again. I told them it's new, as is the power steering pump. They agreed that replacing the pulley didn't solve the problem. We shall see. Marius

[UssenterprizeDv2]

We have 1997 GMC safari, we spent $3000 on a car that you could not sell for that much. Lovely.

[hairyreasoner]

This will sound silly. Is the belt too tight? Has it recently been overtightened?

[MobileMediaProducts]

Morning, Earl: The belt was just replaced as part of the 60/90K maintenance requirements. They also installed a new pulley to "fix" the problem. Questions can be silly, but the pursuit of knowledge is very forgiving of any effort to achieve enlightenment. I sent them a link to the video, and the internet manager has already gotten back to me. Something will happen, good, bad, or otherwise! Marius

[aprilmkelly]

awesome...i hate car problems.

[MobileMediaProducts]

Thanks for replying, April!  I just don't have the time for them personally, and I have better things to do with my money also! Marius

[cozmikzen]

sorry you are having problems, i certainly relate.

[MobileMediaProducts]

Thanks, Coz. We'll get through it. Marius

[MobileMediaProducts]

Uploaded on 3-29-09.